Directed by Steven Caple Jr.
Written by Cheo Hodari Coker
Screenplay by Sylvester Stallone
Cast
Michael B Jordan - Adonis Johnson
Tessa Thompson - Bianca
Sylvester Stallone - Rocky Balboa
Dolph Lundgren - Ivan Drago
Florian Munteanu - Viktor Drago
Phylicia Rashad - Mary Anne Creed
Russell Hornsby - Buddy Marcelle
Ludmilla Drago - Brigitte Nielsen
Max Kellerman and Roy Jones Jr. - Commentator
Theater Saw Film in AMC Digital Cinema theater
A state of the art theater with explosive sound and seats that will react with the action on the screen.
Initial Thoughts Going In: I am big of Rocky, but I was disappointed in Creed as a film. Creed to me was just a remake of Rocky and Rocky Balboa so getting the same overall film two films in a row was a let down. Honestly, Creed is the only film in the series I don't own on home media. So my expectations were low going in.
Then throw in the Rocky IV element. I am not going to lie IV was my favorite film as a kid, but slowly faded to being one of my least favorites in the series. I still love the Russian aspect of the film, but the film is more of a musical of eye candy than anything else. The film lacked substance there I said it shoot me.
So here we go again getting ready to watch a film that is made more for nostalgic throwback purposes then giving us a story that I think we deserve. Lets us see if the film can prove me wrong.
Plot: Over 30 years has passed since Rocky last stepped in the ring with Ivan Drago. Both fighters lives have changed drastically since that fight. Drago was shunned by the state. Drago lost all his support and his arranged marriage is now in shambles. All that Drago has left is his son, Viktor, and his failures from the past that Drago hopes his son can restore the family name.
Rocky on the other hand lost alot of his social skills and has mentally never been the same since that fight. Rocky still caries the guilt inside that he is the reason why Apollo died. While Rocky can connect with Adonis, Rocky can't connect with his own son.
Adonis Johnson may be a fighter, but Adonis suffers from trying to break free of Apollo's legacy. The demons Apollo is fighting and carrying with him is both a blessing and curse. Those demons allow him to fight with anger not heart.
The past is about to catch up to them all when promoter Buddy Marcelle wants to exploit them all for his own financial gain. The only question who walks away for the better?
Review
Story 3.5 out of 5
Creed II marks the 8th film into the Rocky franchise. So with 7 previous films, it can be hard to come up with something original for the 8th. Just look at Friday the 13th part VIII send Jason to Manhattan. So that far into a series alot of films tend to drag and are meant for diehard fans.
With Creed II, the filmmakers wanted to rehash an old storyline from Rocky IV. True that is what they did, but to say Creed II is just Rocky IV part II is not fair. The film actually borrows from bits and pieces from Rocky II - Rocky Balboa. To be honest I think this film has more in common with Rocky II and Rocky III than Rocky IV.
That said the first act of this film was very predictable and somewhat boring at times. The most interesting parts of the first act actually involved the story of Ivan and Viktor Drago. Dragos' story was refreshing and new in many ways. You sympathize with them and honestly that is what saved the first third of the film.
The second act and on after the first fight between the two is really where the rest of the film picks up steam. Adonis has to pick himself back up, learn to deal with outside the ring issues, and figure out why he is fighting and for who. All leading up to the training montage and final fight which is original and unique in many ways.
Actors 4 out of 5
Michael B. Jordan - A decent performance especially in the last half of the film outside the ring. It is an emotional performance and probably the best I have seen from him in the last half.
Tessa Thompson - The studio needs to look at her performance in the film and strongly push for her to be nominated as Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress. Tessa gives the best performance of this film and honestly she is given a character that is just so much more than Adrian. Sure she has Adrian characteristics, but she doesn't whine. The one thing I notice is Tessa knows how to allow her body to do the expressing
Sylvester Stallone - Stallone seems at times tired of playing Rocky throughout the films at moments like he wants to move on from this role. He definitely took a smaller role. I am glad though he didn't ignore the events of Rocky V. The parts of his acting and character that involved that were his best moments in the film
Dolph Lundgren - I am not going to say more than Lundgren when given great dialogue can actually be more than a meathead Mr. Stallone. Lundgren's performance in this film is the best of his career and an essential part of why this film works.
Florian Munteanu - Well he had the right body for this role and rage. He has very few lines so I don't know how well he can act overall, but that said he comes through when needed.
Brigitte Neilsen - As cold and icy as I remember from the 80s. She is this film's real villain. She would make a good Dalek. Damn you Brigitte you make me people feel for Drago and son.
Max Kellerman - Stallone if you do another film he is good, but you need an analyst who is fun and can explain the fight and backgrounds in layman's terms use Stephen A. Smith please instead of Roy Jones Jr..
Cinematography and Music - 5 out of 5
Honestly I think this is the best shot film since the first Rocky. It's a breath of fresh air to see the fight shot and training montages differently. Music wise the composer kept the film his own, but threw in elements of Conti where he felt necessary.
Theater Experience: Yeah the Dolby Cinema's ticket was 20 bucks, but well worth it. The audio system actually blocked out alot of talking. Then you had the seats pow, bam, and Kapow. I felt like I took every punch thrown in the film and was right there in the middle of the fight with Adonis and Viktor. It was the most exciting experience I have ever had during Rocky fight sequence. This is the way you should see Creed II if you can
Overall Ending Thoughts 8/10
The film delivers on many levels, but honestly since the story is rehash of many previous ones and the dragging of the first third of the film. I can't give the film any higher of a score. What the film does do is give a satisfactory end story to every character involved though. I honestly think this is where the series should end unless you want to give us a prequel to Rocky that focuses on Apollo Creed's backstory leading up to him becoming champion.
Otherwise the only thing left you can do in this series is give us
Creed III: Creed Vs. The Predator
Yes the idea for The Predator came after the writers saw Rocky IV. Who could Rocky beat next?
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