‘Creed II’ review: A worthy sequel thanks to fight scenes and family

Michael B. Jordan in “Creed 2.”
MGM

• “Creed II” is a worthy companion to the 2015 original movie
  thanks to its focus on fathers and sons.
• Newcomer Steven Capel, Jr. takes over as director and does an
  impressive job continuing the franchise that Ryan Coogler started
  with the first movie.

When director Ryan Coogler gave us “Creed” in 2015, it was a
perfect continuation to the “Rocky” franchise and most of us
couldn’t wait for him to continue the story of Adonis Creed
(played by Michael B. Jordan) as he rises up the boxing ranks
with Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) by his side to try and be
as great as his father, Apollo Creed.

But Coogler threw a major curveball when he decided to make
“Black Panther,” leaving a question mark for a “Creed” sequel.

Fast forward three years and here we are with “Creed II” (opening
in theaters November 21), and a new director at the helm, Steven
Capel, Jr. (“The Land”). And I’m happy to say that Capel pulled
it off.

Essentially hand-picked by Coogler to take on the sequel, Capel
orchestrates a worthy sequel that still has those needed
references to the “Rocky” franchise the fans crave, but makes a
point to build up Adonis’ own story.

From a screenplay by Stallone and Joel Taylor, “Creed II” picks
up six fights after Creed lost to “Pretty” Ricky Conlan in the
first movie. Having won them all, he’s now up against the
champion Danny “Stuntman” Wheeler (Andrew Ward) for the title.
Creed takes the belt (and the keys back to his car Wheeler took
from the brief fight they had in the first movie) and closes the
night by proposing to his girlfriend Bianca (Tessa Thompson). All
seems to be going right for Creed.

(L-R)
Dolph Lundgren and Florian Muteanu in “Creed
II.”
MGM

But in the Ukraine, Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) has dreams of a
hero’s return to Russia by shaping his son, Viktor Drago (Florian
Muteanu), into an even more powerful boxer than he was. In exile
since losing to Balboa in “Rocky IV,” the Dragos wake every
morning with a singular goal: beat Creed like Ivan did his
father. This leads father and son to Philadelphia to challenge
Creed and Balboa to a title fight. With footage from “Rocky IV”
used in ESPN highlights, Creed can’t look away from footage of
his father dying in the ring at the hands of Drago over 30 years
ago. Of course, the two sons are going to fight.

The movie then turns to the deep-rooted drama that happens in all
the “Rocky” films: why fight? With the guilt of not calling off
the Apollo Creed/Ivan Drago fight still hanging over him, Balboa
doesn’t want any part of it. But of course, Adonis wants to
avenge his father. This leads to an impasse between the two that
causes some soul searching for both men.

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“Creed II” gives us the intense training montages and incredible
fights that are a trademark in the “Rocky” franchise, but what
really stands out are the things that happen outside of the
ropes. What starts out as a revenge tale slowly evolves into a
story of fathers and sons and the building of new legacies. At
its core is the work of Jordan, who again as Creed delivers a
performance that shows why he’s a movie star. His charisma
matched with his talent is a total package that any franchise
dreams of. Then there’s the chemistry between Jordan and Thompson
that adds another powerful layer. Stallone, who earned an Oscar
nomination for playing Balboa in “Creed,” once more delivers in
the role that has defined his career — especially in the movie’s
powerful ending.

What Coogler did with “Creed” was special: taking a beloved
franchise like “Rocky” and reshaping it for a new generation. But
Capel took on an even riskier assignment by doing the sequel.
Thankfully he succeeded and did it by focusing on the characters
and not the legend of the IP.