Creed II

I think we all subconsciously knew that the success of "Creed" would bring a sequel. It wouldn't be the Rocky franchise if the series didn't continue with a new hero now in the spotlight and an iconic, aging legend at his side. There are two moments when I got really excited for "Creed II". The first was the social media posting I saw about Sylvester Stallone directing this sequel and the second moment was watching the teaser trailer when Viktor turns around to reveal his last name written on the back of his robe. It is too bad that Stallone didn't end up as director but he is the co-screenwriter this time. After seeing the finished product, it belongs in the franchise but suffers from what most sequels can't escape: a loss of originality. Thankfully, the story formula in this film series is so solid that you come away entertained with misty eyes.

Another commercial or trailer I saw for "Creed II" showed a clip of Ivan Drago and his son Viktor at the top of the famous steps in Philadelphia. The full scene in the film just felt wrong but that's a good thing. How would you feel for example if Russians, or any other country for that matter, landed on the moon and took down the flag that Neil and Buzz left behind? Ivan Drago & his son may have only visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art but their presence in that blessed space without our heroes knowing about it got me and probably other audience members in the right mindset for this movie. In this one scene, without a word being spoken, Drago become more villainous than he was in "Rocky IV". At least Clubber Lang confronted Rocky in person on those steps in "Rocky III". I never really took to Drago as an antagonist when compared to Apollo or Clubber. The biggest reason for this is because he didn't do much talking and he was portrayed as a kind of Frankenstein’s Monster with the Creator being the Soviets. Drago does have a back-story this time thanks to the events of "Rocky IV" and what happened to him after. We find out in "Creed II" that he lost his wife and everything else he held dear. I personally think the fall of the Soviet Union affected him as well. Ivan also has a lot more lines. I love the character a lot more now because he is two-dimensional this time. Viktor has a sense of one-dimensionality like his father but it works cinematically because history is repeating itself. The sins of the father are being passed on in that Ivan has made his son into a personal fighting machine. Thankfully, Donnie is fighting for himself and is becoming his own man. A good example of this is that for Donnie, his first fight in the film is about his car that he wagered in the last film. He almost forgets about the title. This showed me that Donnie has pride just like his father Apollo but it is for the right things. Donnie has truly become an amalgam of his trainer Rocky and his father. This creates a great protagonist because Donnie's heart can keep his pride in check.

As with the last film, the sequel is following the identical path as its protagonist. The two Creed films pay respect to the Rocky films while at the same time trying to create their own legacy. Max's Steaks for example is one Philly location that I would say the filmmakers are trying to make synonymous with their movie, kind of like their own "Lucky Seven Tavern". It is kind of working, especially thanks to the scene where Donnie and Bianca go for food after the first fight in the film. I love how "Little Duke" has a bigger role in this film and it is very reminiscent to his father's role in the original movies. Donnie and Bianca share a joke at the start of the movie before the title fight and this is traditional of the franchise. Speaking of them, their romantic journey may not be as sweet as what Rocky and Adrian went through but it is strong enough to support the film. After all, it is nearly impossible to find that exact same romantic magic. Stallone really tries to channel Burgess Meredith when it comes to the light outside his house and that gives me a good feeling. Viktor's first fight with Donnie starts out very similar to the match their fathers had because Donnie is landing punches while Viktor waits to explode in retaliation. I was grateful for how the first fight between Donnie and Viktor was decided. Thanks to the trailer, we know that there will be a rematch but what keeps us in suspense is the reason for a rematch. The first fight ends in a way that the press and public become divided on who actually won and thus another contest is demanded. In the last film, Donnie proved to himself that he wasn't a mistake but after his first fight with Drago, Donnie's inner demons are quite complex this time. There is his family to worry about and his relationship with his uncle. He becomes distant and doesn't know how to take that first step to prepare for the next fight. In the end, Donnie and Rocky realize that they need each other. The training montage for the rematch has a great setting this time but I thought the montage in "Creed" was a lot more powerful with Rocky in the hospital and with the use of the ATV's. As mentioned, the last film was given a great injection of originality that has become a little diluted in this show. Another thing that wasn't as good this time was the cinematography. That is probably the result of a new director as well as a new cinematographer. There was some great stuff visually in "Creed" and camera work was a small reason for the success of "Rocky" in 1976. "Creed II" just didn't take any cinematography risks. While the climatic fight wasn't as great as the Creed vs. Conlan battle, it was still on par with some other climaxes in the series. I particularly like how Bianca is enlisted in the lead up to the fight and by the end, Donnie (with Rocky in his corner) redeems the Drago family. There was one subplot in "Creed II" that I cared so much for that it almost overshadowed the main plotline. We get some great resolution at the very end of the film concerning this subplot and that brought tears. I thought the last scene of "Creed" was such that the franchise could have ended right there but the intercutting at the very end of this movie was amazing. It is evidence to me that Donnie and Rocky share the protagonist role to an extent.

"Creed" was such a success that Marvel came a-knockin' soon after. Director Ryan Coogler, actor Michael B. Jordan and composer Ludwig Goransson went off to make "Black Panther" and Tessa Thompson got to be in "Thor: Ragnarok". It was the former MCU film that delayed the production of "Creed II" and led to Coogler being replaced as director. Steven Caple, Jr. doesn't have much of a resume but that is not a prerequisite to enter the Rocky franchise. Goransson did compose this sequel but I liked his work better in both "Creed" and "Black Panther". At least continued to make allusions in "Creed II" to Bill Conti's themes. Stallone co-wrote the screenplay and that is more writing credit than he got last time. This is the first time in the franchise that he shares writing duties because he wrote the first six films solo. Stallone, Jordan and Coogler earned producer credits as well by the way. Dolph Lundgren has earned a long action resume since "Rocky IV" but after 1995, he mostly appeared in direct-to-video movies. It was Stallone's "Expendables" franchise that returned him to Hollywood. Now that Lundgren has 33 years of acting experience, the reprise of his breakout role is very noteworthy as mentioned. This franchise has cast real boxers before so it isn't a surprise to see German-Romanian boxer Florian Munteanu as Viktor Drago. This isn't Munteanu's first movie though. I am so glad that I know Wood Harris for something besides "Remember the Titans" (he is apparently in "Ant-Man" but that seems to be a small role). There are apparently a few boxing cameos in "Creed II" and it was great to have Brigitte Nielsen and Milo Ventimiglia return to the franchise.

Some sequels bomb so that makes "Creed II" a winner in my book despite its minor shortcomings. The film is just as good the second time you see it and that is important to note. You still get emotional as you watch this sequel and you also experience much of what you like about a Rocky movie. If a third film were to be made, I would hope that it achieves what its two predecessors accomplished pretty well: a respect for the source material but a desire to be its own entity.

4 Stars out of 5