Review of Creed II

Creed II makes a bad movie that came out 30 years ago worth it

Well if nothing else, Creed II made me want to watch The Wire again.

I’m glad I didn’t bother to dive too deeply into what this movie was about before I watched it, because I enjoyed the surprise. It builds on what Creed started and adds a new, yet old element to the story. Creed II takes the worst movie of the original Rocky series (because Rocky V never happened of course) and builds its story around that. But by now, that movie is such a cult classic, that it’s worthy of a callback.

Dolph Lundgren is in Russia training his son in the art of pummeling someone to death, while Rocky is training Adonis Creed, the recently crowned heavyweight champion. There is much going on outside the ring, with grandkids and hearing-impaired wives, but the rub is that we’re going to get the kids of the two boxers who fought to the death 30 years ago in the ring together. But this time, without any silly exposition about communism and the cold war and living together in harmony. Just avert your eyes for that part if you dig up the original.

I wavered back and forth on this movie. I loved seeing Rocky again. He is one of the most lovable characters in cinema history, and even better now as a grandfather figure. His conversation with Ivan about stray dogs was perfect for both characters. But then there was the first fight, which was so very clearly a contrived set up and completely predictable. Rocky didn’t want to be a part of it, Creed came out arrogant, the Russian fought dirty, etc. But then the rematch showed me a little something. They gave Ivan a heart. They didn’t cheese up Adonis when he was beating his opponent silly. They found another way out. And I enjoyed it. The closing montage of Rocky with his grandson and Adonis with his dad and daughter, and with Ivan running alongside his son was enough to get me in the feels. Not enough for me to forgive it for all its faults, but enough to leave me with a smile. And I got to see Rocky and his fedora for another couple hours.

6/10

Dustin Fisher