"It Ain't Over 'til Its Over": Creed II is a Blast Despite Its Cliches

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures

Let's just get this out of the way first. I love the Rocky films. Aside from the abysmal Rocky V, there has never been a film in the series that I haven't enjoyed. Whether that enjoyment was genuine or ironic, I've always loved these films. That being said, Ryan Coogler's Creed was by far the best since the 1976 original. Powerful acting and Coogler's confident, energetic direction helped breathe new life into a cliched story. Creed II, however, is a totally different beast. With high melodrama, cartoonish fight scenes and a more worn-out story, it feels more like ... a Rocky sequel. However, it manages to rise above that with sheer entertainment.

Since his near victory in the first film, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), under the tutelage of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), has managed to win the heavyweight title. Unfortunately, his victory is cut short when old rival Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) brings his son Viktor (Florian Munteanu) to challenge Adonis in an attempt to get some long overdue revenge against Rocky.

The story, basically a mash-up of Rocky II and Rocky III (and thanks to Lundgren, Rocky IV), isn't much to talk about and there are scenes so predictable they can be seen from a mile away. However, the film succeeds despite these flaws thanks to the awesome performances. Jordan and Stallone both continue to do great work, but the real surprise is Lundgren, who manages to bring some real character and even sympathy into what is essentially a James Bond villain. The characters make Creed II a solid sequel, but maybe this series should quit while it's ahead before Adonis gets a robot butler in Creed III. — Forest Taylor

Directed by: Steven Cable Jr. // Written by: Sylvester Stallone and Cleo Hodari Coker // Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Florian "Big Nasty" Munteanu, Russell Hornsby, Wood Harris, Phylicia Rashad and Dolph Lundgren // 130 minutes // Rated PG-13