Tre years after the great success of Creed – Born to fightthis evening it airs at 9.20pm on Rai 2 Creed IIsecond chapter of the spin-off saga which continues the adventures of the legendary Rocky Balboa. With protagonists, as in the previous one, Michael B. Jordan and the evergreen Sylvester Stallonethe film not only manages to live up to its predecessor but it also contains another sequel. That is, that of Rocky IV, from 1985, given the legendary man’s return to the ring Ivan Drago.
Creed IIthe plot of the movie
Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) is a young professional boxer, son of the great Apollo Creed and trained by his father’s historic rival, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). After conquering the world heavyweight champion titleAdonis lives peacefully and happily with the musician Bianca (Tessa Thompson), who will soon become his wife.
In parallel, in Ukraine, a young boxer named Viktor Drago makes his way (Florian Munteanu), son of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). That is to say he who, in Rocky IV, of 1985, killed Apollo with a fatal punch. Viktor’s attorney sees in the clash between the two a great opportunity to make his client famous and, having arrived in Philadelphia, begins to exploit the media to provoke Adonis. The boxer accepts the challenge to avenge his father’s deathdespite Rocky trying to dissuade him in every way.
On the day of the match Rocky, who in the meantime is no longer his coach, follows the event on TV and witnesses the match Creed’s total defeat, who does not lose the world champion title only because Drago is disqualified for an incorrect shot. Adonis ends up in hospital and begins a long rehabilitation but Viktor wants a new meeting. When Creed finally accepts, he finds the support he needs in Rocky to face the Russian. And clear the Creed name.
A sequel that lives up to its predecessor
Eighth film in the saga Rockysees Michael B. Jordan and good ol’ Sly return to the ring to deliver a sequel absolutely worthy of the first Creed, of 2015. Leaving boxing matches slightly in the background, Creed II si focuses on the state of mind and internal conflicts of its protagonists but especially on parent/child relationship. Whether organic or not.
The film also succeeds in the difficult feat of contain two sequels: not just about Creed of 2015, but also of Rocky IV from 1985, seen the return of Ivan Drago, Rocky’s legendary rival who almost forty years ago Balboa had defeated in Russia after an epic match. In Creed II so the idea of posing works very well at the center of the story are the son of Apollo and the son of Ivan Drago. A functional choice that continues a “mythology” forcefully entered the collective imagination with the legendary phrase “I’ll split you in two”. Pronounced by Drago in Rocky IV shortly before the match against Balboa.
But if in 1985 Drago was simply a rival without psychological depth, here the character is explored in depth with intelligence and sensitivity. The focus of the film however remains the relationship between Adonis and Rockyplayed once again masterfully by Michael B. Jordan and a Sylvester Stallone is always amazingalso the author of the beautiful screenplay.
Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in a scene from “Creed II”. (Warner Bros. Pictures)
The death of Carl Weathers and the upcoming fourth chapter
Passed away at the beginning of February at the age of 76Carl Weathers was the legendary actor who he played Apollo Creed in the first four chapters of the saga.
A face much loved by all fans of the sagathe actor – former American football player – experienced some success “extra Rocky” in the 1980s but then ends up a bit forgotten. In recent years however, a professional rebirth and a new generation of fans thanks to his presence in the series The Mandalorian. Where she played Greef Kargaa bounty hunter turned government official who is one of protagonist Pedro Pascal’s allies.
As for the saga, now independent of the character of Rocky Balboa, just a few months the fourth chapter has been confirmed, Creed IV. Not a surprise in light of the triumph of Creed IIIreleased last year and with Michael B. Jordan in the dual role of protagonist and director.
The producer of the saga Irwin Winkler he confirmed to the portal Deadline That Jordan will return to direct once again. “It will,” Winkler assured. «He did an exceptional job, he felt at ease with the camera. We have a really good story and a very solid plot. We were slowed down a bit due to the strikes, but we will soon enter pre-production.”
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