“Philadelphia’s favourite fictional son lends this film a much needed dose of earthy authenticity…” – Wayward Wolf.
If one considers Creed II to be simply the follow-up to Creed, then it can certainly be considered a reasonable enough sequel, and on balance probably the better of the two movies. If one however considers Steven Caple Jr’s film to be the latest in a long conveyor belt of Rocky-related boxing flicks, then it really is nothing more than just another mid-ranking Rocky movie, borrowing heavily from past glories as it goes.
Don’t get me wrong, Creed II is an enjoyable enough, if highly predictable Hollywood blockbuster, with solid enough performances from Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson in the film’s leading roles. But this film would almost certainly be floundering in nowhere land without the services of Sylvester Stallone.
Philadelphia’s favourite fictional son lends the film a much needed dose of earthy authenticity and reminds us in the process, albeit briefly, exactly why this popular boxing franchise ever earned the legs that it did to ‘go the distance’ that it ultimately has.
So, where next for all things ‘Creed’?
Short of killing Stallone’s character off once and for all – and the whole thing almost certainly imploding in the process – it’s difficult to know what more there is for the franchise to say or prove to anyone at this late stage in the game.
But as ever, I’d imagine all such musings will be left to Hollywood’s money men.
WAYWARDWOLFBLOG 