Creed II Has The Heart Of A Champion

I was going to title this "Creed II Has The Eye Of The Tiger," but I feel like that wouldn't be giving this movie enough credit for standing on its own.  Sure, there's plenty of Rocky's DNA sprinkled throughout this film (including Sylvester Stallone's wonderful, and possible last-ever, performance as Rocky Balboa), but Creed II franchise can be enjoyed on its own.

This is the eighth film in the Rocky Universe (man, I long for the days when we can stop referring to film franchises as "Universes," but I digress), and it's never been stronger.  Whereas the latter Rocky films felt like cartoon versions of themselves (though, not including the franchise re-defining Rocky Balboa, which brought these films back to reality and essentially wiped Rocky V from the record books.), the Creed films feel lived in.  The re-focus on character and not excess has been a welcome breath of fresh air.  These films work because you feel like you've known the characters for decades.  Sure, we've known Balboa for over 40 years, but Adonis Creed (played with a champion's swagger by the incredible Michael B. Jordan), and company approach their characters with a realism not seen since Rocky II.

Speaking of characters... While Creed II owes a lot of its DNA to the over-the-top but thoroughly re-watchable Rocky IV,  these characters strip away the 80s glitz and glamour, and are presented in a much more modern realistic way.  Jordan's Creed, though now a champion in his own right, still can't escape the legacy of his deceased father, and his infamous in-ring death.  He's a world champion that still questions his worth and place in society.  Viktor Drago is seen as a way back to success and prestige for his once powerful father, Ivan (played with steel grit by a never better Dolph Lundgren).  Rocky Balboa still wears the physical and mental scars from his first encounter with the elder Drago (there's a scene where these two characters meet for the first time in three decades that gave me memories of the famous scene in Heat where Pacino and DeNiro share a cup of coffee).

Needless to say, the fight that everyone wants is Creed/Drago part 2, only with the children of Ivan and Apollo fighting this time instead.  The journey up to and including their bout is a character study in how we try to live up to, (and in some cases escape from) our parents shadows.  What does it mean to be our own person?  What role does our upbringing play in our lives as adults?  And do old wounds ever fully heal?  It's these questions and more that made this film such a delight to sit through.  And, who am I kidding, I'm always going to get goosebumps when the training montage begins. 

I couldn't get enough of Creed II.  Kudos to everyone involved.  If this is truly Stallone's last time lacing up his Rocky gloves, then it's a fitting conclusion to a legendary character.  It's now Creed's boxing world and we're all living in it.  3.5 stars out of 4.  My one critique isn't really a critique of the film.  Jordan is in such good shape that I felt guilty shoveling handfuls of movie popcorn in my mouth watching him.  I need to hit the gym...