Following the
success of Creed (2015), it was pretty clear Hollywood wouldn’t let
this story end without a sequel. Creed starred Michael B. Jordan as
the son of Apollo Creed, the man killed in the boxing ring by Ivan Drago
in Rocky IV (1985).
This follow-up sequel doesn’t stray far from what you’d expect from the eighth
film in the Rocky franchise. Written by Sylvester Stallone, the movie
sticks to the same formula used in the Rocky series after Rocky (1976)
and Rocky II (1979). After those first two films, the story follows a
predictable pattern: introduce an opponent who’s larger than life and seemingly
unbeatable, and then have Rocky (or his protégé) take them down.
The Rocky sequels
after Rocky and Rocky II may have been popular, but they
were just as predictable as this movie. Don’t expect any surprises here—in
fact, you’ll probably guess your way through the entire film. The movie doesn’t
even try to spice things up.
In this installment, there’s a new player in town: the son of Ivan Drago (Dolph
Lundgren). Lundgren and several others reprise their roles in this movie.
The new challenger, like his father Ivan, seems unstoppable. And here’s where
the movie doesn’t even attempt to change the script—only Rocky’s intervention
can take him down.
Creed claims this fight is about avenging his father, but Rocky tells him he’s not mentally ready for it.
Meanwhile, Ivan
Drago is trying to reclaim his glory days through his son. He pushes his son to
the brink, almost unbearably so. His goal? Rocky took away his glory, and now
he’ll get it back by taking down Rocky’s protégé.
All this happens while Creed’s love interest, Bianca (Tessa Thompson, reprising
her role from Creed), becomes his wife.
Their union is
further blessed with a child. The story takes us through Creed and Rocky
parting ways and then reconnecting to take on Drago.
Like I said, the
movie is highly predictable and stays consistent with what it’s trying to prove
and do. That proof? If a formula isn’t broken, don’t try to fix it. That said,
a Creed III might be pushing it if they decide to make it, but this
is Hollywood, so I am sure it will be done.