The Rocky franchise still has the power to bring the audience to its feet, cheering on the underdog. In this second spin-off installment, Michael B. Jordan is back as Adonis Creed. He has picked up the mantle of his late father’s ring greatness under the tutelage of Rocky.
It just doesn’t matter that you might already know how this film ends before you walk into the theater. Sylvester Stallone created his character and Rocky Balboa over 40 years ago. Can you think of any piece of the entertainment industry that is still coming out with fresh product using the same character? Sure, there have been many Tarzans, Robin Hoods and James Bonds, but there has been only one Rocky Balboa.
Stallone, who wrote this script along with Chen Hodari Coker, has gone back into his old scripts to come up with what looks to be an embarrassingly simplistic plot. Rocky’s old nemesis Russian Ivan Drago, (Dolph Lundgren) who killed Apollo Creed in the ring, has been training his son, Viktor (Florian “Big Nasty” Munteanu). Drago is as cold and stoic as ever. Viktor is a mountain of a man. He’s a fighter hell-bent on destroying Creed to please his father. Drago looks to his son get his payback after losing everything to Rocky back in Rocky IV’s epic ring battle.
Creed’s original director Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, Creed) has handed the reins to Steven Caple Jr. (The Land). Caple knows what a Rocky fan expects. The scripted violence inside the ring is still exciting even after we think we’ve seen it all before. In fact, 4 fight choreographers were hired to make sure all the hooks, jabs and upper cuts deliver, including an emotional gut punch for the audience. Shooting Jordan’s training regimen with scenes showing his inner as well as the physical one, even under water, is effective. The story weaves in family, fatherhood and friendship as the touch points that round out the story when Creed isn’t training or fighting.
Caple builds excitement with the expected entrance extravaganza with music, lights and revved up audience ushering the contenders into the ring. Despite the fact that the ultimate outcome of the climactic fight is well imagined, the revelation is how Jordan, Tessa Thompson and Stallone himself can still make us care about their characters looking for love and a little happiness. Creed has to go on his journey of discovery and pain. Creed’s mother, Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashad) tries to be there for them but is apprehensive. She doesn’t want to lose her son the way she lost her husband.
There’s a lot more substance this time out in Tessa Thompson’s role as Bianca. She’s not only the beautiful, but nervous, cheerleader for her man. Their relationship becomes more serious with other issues to face. Bianca is becoming an emerging star in her own musical universe while also being Creed’s inner voice. Thompson watched the original Rocky to see Balboa’s early romance and emerging love for his Adrian and draws parallels for her own portrayal. It works.
And then there’s Stallone himself. The years have worn on Rocky to the point where he no longer raises his voice. His wisdom has been hard won through mistakes along with his victories in the ring. There’s a sadness that surrounds him that gives him a gentle, more forgiving aura. Even in the midst of the fight, there’s a calmer presence in Creed’s corner as the battle swirls around him.
For anyone who has ever seen a Rocky movie there is one audio moment everyone is waiting to hear. Will you finally hear that familiar Rocky theme in that final moment. Will it fulfill the promise of every movie in the franchise?
Seeing this movie is like a visit to a favorite restaurant and ordering the same thing you always order time after time. You keep coming back for that tried and true recipe and, once again, Creed II is one more meaty helping.
MGM 130 minutes PG-13
