Creed II: La leyenda de Rocky

The banger I was hoping for ain't happening. This was supposed to be the iconic culmination of Rocky and Creed's journey, where I expected twists and turns beyond the classic template of the franchise. Who else could these stories be concluded with but opponents with the surname Drago? I don’t get it. But I have no complaints about the two Russians. Lundgren always has been and always will be a killer, and Munteanu certainly doesn't give the impression that he's never stepped in front of a camera. Their story makes sense, and therefore brings us at least one major refresher that hasn't been in the ring before. It gives us bad guys who are just as easy to root for as their opponents in the opposite corner, and I appreciate that. (23.11.2018)

A script with fantastic potential materialized by a not-quite-skilled filmmaker, drowned in hectolitres of family values at the level of a textbook romantic drama. What a shame! Likewise, it doesn't make the most of some scenes that could have gone down as iconic in the history of cinema: Rocky vs Drago in the restaurant, Drago on the stairs in Philly, the scenes in the ring, etc. Just watch the 30-year-old Rocky IV, soaked in a combative atmosphere about the clash of not only two boxers but also two different worlds, and it's clear what Creed II was supposed to look like. Especially with the distance of so many years and with the a possibility of a number of gimmicks that could improve the overall impression. The fights are mediocre, the anger of Drago Jr. is supposed to copy that of Tom Hardy from Warrior, but it's actually not even halfway there, and that's mostly not because of the actor, but because of the poor handling of the character. Lundgren and Stallone rock it of course, the rest go by the numbers. An average product made from almost perfect ingredients. It’s a shame. (25.11.2018)

A film where you can tick off all the twists and turns in the same way a middle-aged man can predict his wife’s furious burst after coming back home from an evening at the pub with friends. This resurrected franchise gets its energy and dollars from the discovery of the new position of the legendary boxer/action hero of the previous generation, the nostalgia-packed contrast between two stages in society and cinema, and also from the great actors, because the position of sage fits Sly like a first to the face, Michael B. Jordan dominates the ring with charisma, and Tessa Thomson can knock you out just standing and rolling her eyes. But the second Creed showed me that, in terms of nostalgia, the affably human sixth round of Rocky was better, and that the dynamic filmmaking style of the 80s, where the Italian Stallion and the dumb Russian giant beat the crap out of each other, is inimitable today. The new Creed brings back Rocky’s most famous adversary together with his bear-sized son and doesn’t do a bad job at it – both Dragos have good motivations for their return, and good-old Ivan is again an iconic figure carrying a massive aura of the past; and what’s more, Creed himself has reasonable motivations, too. The script decided to copy the arc of the fourth part, but with the unfortunate difference that it adds a lot of psychology that relies purely on old clichés and slow conversational passages that struggle to provide a stylistic contrast to the impressive physical processes, which feel like from another film. Moreover, the direction is very unremarkable, and, save a couple of great exceptions, the scenes from the ring are delivered without the desired sense of fatality and pain. On the one hand, I enjoyed the events around Drago and I appreciate the inertial presentation of the family philosophy, thanks to which the characters grow even bigger into your heart; on the other hand, this sequel didn’t give me anything that would surprise me beyond the expectations and make me want to watch it again (something the fourth part has done despite its 1980s idiocy). I’m really sorry that I can’t give it 4*, but it’s still at a more than acceptable level. 65% (27.11.2018)

The second act is more thematically focused, which is a big plus for some, as it doesn't divert too much from the boxing and the family, but it's a minus for others because the street scenes had to some extent defined the main character and his struggle. However, there has definitely not been a decrease in quality, even though Donnie forces every imaginable cliché and plot twist his mentor once went through. It paraphrases Rocky II, then openly continues with Rocky IV, and the result of both is a dense amount of the tastiest ingredient. The grumbling Sylvester Stallone is once again a treasury of nostalgia, manly tears, and memories of injustices and joys. If Creed didn't behave numerous times like a spoiled brat (which he ironically had more right to do before), I would probably get carried away by the strength of tying all the storylines of the main characters together, as well as Dolph Lundgren's gaze, which clearly indicates that the Drago clan has undoubtedly experienced a lot. This way, it's four stars for four champions. (22.11.2018)

Creed II is an enjoyably nostalgic, emotional and visually solid boxing drama where Michael B. Jordan once again excels. Stallone and Lundgren are only here for nostalgia's sake, as their acting skills aren't worth much anymore. Pitting Apollo and Drago against each other was a brilliant idea, and although there are only two fights, they are so excellently shot and dynamic that they make you feel you are on the ring. I also praise the great trendy soundtrack and the visual entrance of the two protagonists – someone worked really on it. It's a pity for the sometimes slower passages, during which you get lost, but otherwise satisfied. 75% (23.12.2018)