Wow. This year has just been a moviegoer’s DREAM. From thriller gems, to reboots to sequels decades in the making, 2018 continued to literally bring the punch with Creed II. From the very first Rocky monologue, Rocky assures the audience that while the Creed and Drago Jr. boys (played by the ever loveable Michael B. Jordan and the HUGE Florian Munteanu, respectively) will be providing the hits, Rocky will be providing the punchlines. I have to say, I was admittedly surprised and beside myself with how well orchestrated the allusions to past Rocky films were throughout the entire film. From pictures in restaurants to internet fight clips, from timeless mementos to priceless cameos, the entire Rocky franchise courses through the very fiber of this next chapter.
In Creed II, we see Adonis lay the framework for his own legacy- one he hopes will stand alone from that of his father’s. We see Adonis confronted with the struggles of creating one’s own narrative both in and outside of the boxing ring, while he does his best to provide Rocky with the stabilizing force in Rocky's life that he has for some years now. Then, like being back for the very first time, the son of franchise villain Ivan Drago appears on the world boxing scene to really push Adonis to the breaking point. The cinematography and musical score of this film are so audience-friendly that we are moved to feel what we see the actors feeling, even if the words they are using leave something to be desired. Sometimes simpler is better, less is more. And this film does a great job of picking and choosing its battles in that very mindset.
Creed II is a Rocky fan’s “taste of the good ol’ days” during a time where the technology is lightyears improved from those aforementioned times. The film runs an entire 2 hours long; but, nothing stops it from being an incredibly fun time. Adonis' relationship with his girlfriend Bianca (played by the beautifully talented Tessa Thompson) provides the romantic relationship that reminds us at least somewhat of the one between Rocky and Adrian. There is also enough to its plot for even the casual moviegoer who isn’t as invested in the boxing narrative. Creed II gets a solid 3.5 reps out of 5 for executing on the entertainment side; and, it’ll make for a solid movie choice for almost gathering- whether you get to see it in theaters or at home.
How do you think Creed II did in moving along the timeless Rocky franchise?
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