Day 326 of the challenge! Creed II is the best version of Rocky IV out there.
There’s also a good amount of Rocky II thrown in for good measure. Anyway, the point I’m trying to emphasize is that one sequel into the new Rocky franchise, we’re (expectantly) already back to formula. The difference this time around is that Creed II manages to keep most of the heart and character work from the first Creed, making it one of the better entries in the series. I’d say it’s up there with Rocky Balboa, which I think is criminally underrated.
Despite being a very solid flick with plenty going for it, I gotta say I miss Ryan Coogler behind the camera. The amazing depth and originality Coogler brought to Creed is completely missing here, replaced by a Rocky’s greatest hits album. Pick your favorite part of any Rocky sequel, and you’re bound to find it somewhere in Creed II.
That’s not to say all that thematic material isn’t still compelling after all these years. The Rocky franchise is full of timeless themes, and you’ll no doubt be swept up in the emotion of it all, especially when that well timed Rocky fanfare inevitably fills up the theater. Try NOT to get chills whenever that happens!
Still, did we really need another story where Rocky struggles to connect with his son (we’ve seen that done twice already in Rocky V and Rocky Balboa) or where a Creed’s ego gets them into some major trouble in the ring? No, we didn’t. Honestly, if it weren’t for the extra steps taken to give the Dragos some depth (while simultaneously wiping away some of their silly Cold War shtick in the process) Creed II wouldn’t be anywhere near as effective as it is.
Creed II works great for what it is, but I’m hoping this isn’t the chosen course of action moving forward. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with playing it safe, but I swear if Rocky dies in the next Creed just to motivate Adonis into another revenge match storyline, imma be annoyed…but I’ll still watch it of course.