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KPCW sends its most discerning moviegoers to the movies each week to let you know which films are worth going to and which are a pass. The Friday Film Review airs at 7:20 a.m., during the Noon News and in The Local View. KPCW Friday Film Reviewers are: Barb Bretz, Rick Brough, Mark Harrington and Linda Jager.

Friday Film Review - "Creed II"

The reborn Rocky saga has now spawned its own sequel. And it hearkens back to the Italian Stallion’s most infamous fight of the Eighties.

This week’s film is Creed II, starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson.  Just three years after director Ryan Coogler successfully rebooted the Rocky franchise with Creed, newcomer Stephen Caple Jr. directs round 2.   In this installment, Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed, has been boxing several years with Rocky in his corner.  His progress culminates in finally landing a heavy weight championship belt.   With that milestone behind him,  Adonis turns to dedicate himself to other priorities as well as take stock of his own identity as a fighter.  Of course, we wouldn’t have the 8th Rocky movie if someone didn’t lure Adonis back into the ring.   That someone turns out to be Viktor Drago, the son of the boxer Ivan Drago who killed his father in Rocky IV.   Disgraced since his loss to Rocky, Ivan Drago sees his son’s victory over Adonis as a path to personal and family redemption.  Rocky asks Adonis why is he coming back to the ring- what is he fighting for?   The same could be asked of the audience:  why are you coming back to the theater- what are watching another Rocky for?  New director Stephen Caple Jr. and writer Cheo Hodari Coker hope family is the answer.  The new filmmakers take a page out of Vin Diesel’s Fast and Furious playbook by integrating strong family jabs into the boxing narrative.  Actress Tessa Thompson brings grace and a much needed break from the stinky gym scenes as Bianca, Adonis’ girlfriend.  Bianca’s music provides a new baseline for the emotional track of the film and her boyfriend’s plight in the ring- starting slowly, inquisitively before rupturing with all the energy of the Hulk.   Michael B. Jordan continues his ascension as the up and comer du jour with another impressive performance and Phylicia Rashad makes the most of her largest role in the entire series as Adonis’ mother. 

So, on my ski trail rating system, Creed II earns my intermediate BLUE ski trail rating.   The best thing I can say about Creed II is that it is better than Rocky IV.  Where the original Balboa v Drago plot in Rocky IV was grounded in pure nationalistic testosterone, Creed II at least shifts the focus to family.  These quiet, intimate moments in the film are worth the price of admission.  However, other than diversifying the appeal of the Rocky franchise by showcasing its talented cast, upgrading the boxing realism, and infusing new, contemporary music, there was really no reason to make this film.  Well of course, except to make money.  Despite general consensus that the Rocky IV was the least critically acclaimed film in the series, it had the largest box office draw grossing over $300M worldwide.   Creed II is a predictable rinse, wash, repeat of Rocky IV, and despite being nowhere near as good as Creed, round 2 appears to be on a similar box office trajectory.

Creed II is rated PG-13 for sports action violence, language, and a scene of sensuality which thankfully is not Sylvester Stallone massaging pasta dough. 

This is Mark Harrington for KPCW’s Friday Film Review.  The Friday Film Review is sponsored by the Park City Film Series.

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