A Rousing Sequel That's 33 Years In The Making

Rating: Null/10 (19 February 2019)

The follow-up chapter to Creed does lack the freshness of the original but Creed II still manages to deliver an adrenaline-fuelled ride that's fun, rousing & rewarding for the most part, and features a story that's 33 years in the making as it pits two second generation boxers against one another in a match that's equally personal to both fighters.
Strongly echoing Rocky IV, the story is set three years after the events of the last film and follows Adonis Creed who has now made his way to the top of the sport, and is the new world champion. But his celebration is cut short when he is issued a challenge by Viktor Drago, the son of former Soviet boxer Ivan Drago who killed Apollo Creed inside the ring over three decades ago.
Directed by Steven Caple Jr, his treatment of the scripted material is very much by the books, for the story lacks any element of surprise and is predictable. The film addresses themes of family, legacy, loss, revenge, resurrection & redemption but the dramatic portions don't necessarily pack the same emotional punch that Ryan Coogler's film was able to land for the entirety of its runtime.
The return of Ivan Drago is a welcome choice though, and his presence still retains a formidable aura. There isn't a lot for Rocky Balboa to do here yet the film comes alive whenever he is on screen. The boxing matches are brilliantly choreographed, training montages are expertly edited, and the music accompanying these scenes brim with a pulsating energy that only adds more fuel to the mix.
Leading from the front in acting department is Michael B. Jordan who articulates Adonis Creed's journey through hellfire & brimstone with finesse, and he is terrific throughout. Sylvester Stallone dons his signature role for one last round and does well with what he's given. Dolph Lundgren returns as Ivan Drago and steals nearly every scene he's in. But it is the mentor-disciple dynamic between Balboa & Creed that gives this film its finest moments.
On an overall scale, Creed II is neither wholly impressive in filmmaking terms nor resonant enough on emotional scale when compared to its ingeniously crafted predecessor but it does what it set out to do and despite the slump in storytelling quality, the film delivers a blood-pumping, pulse-pounding & adrenaline-rushing extravaganza that's entertaining & fulfilling enough to rank amongst the better entries in the once concluded but recently revived saga. Definitely recommended.