THE first Creed film acted as a shrewd way to continue the Rocky franchise by passing the gloves to a ferociously modern generation in Adonis (Michael B Jordan).
Round two of this revamped boxing saga does a rewarding job of building on the foundations laid by the first, developing the idea of what legacy means to someone who never met their father but who feels his shadow looming.
Straight away this sequel promises a tough match-up as it depicts the training and in-ring capabilities of powerful and ruthless Ukrainian fighter Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), the son “raised in hate” of none other than Ivan Drago (a returning Dolph Lundgren), the formidable fighter who killed Adonis’s father and Rocky’s (Sylvester Stallone) opponent-turned-friend Apollo Creed more than three decades ago.
READ MORE: Ralph Breaks The Internet review
Back home in Philadelphia, Adonis is living life as newly defending Heavyweight Champion of the World with his musically gifted girlfriend Bianca (Tessa Thompson). But still he feels that chip weighing heavily on his shoulder that constantly makes him feel like he needs to prove himself.
As is the tradition of the genre, it becomes a dance around when and where the two men – each defined by their fathers in their own opposite-sides-of-the-same-coin ways – will trade blows.
Director Steven Caple Jr takes over from Ryan Coogler to deliver a worthy follow-up that lands heavy blows where it counts and in a few places that are unexpected, the latter of which is one of the film’s strengths.
Ultimately it’s grounded in those recognisable genre fundamentals. And while adherence to that leads it to lack some of the fiery generational freshness of the first film, it’s achieved with panache – the essential training montage is particularly well-staged – working in harmony with a resolute grittiness and a depth of feeling in how it explores the key theme of living up to what came before versus carving your own path.
With another gripping performance from Jordan that further cements his real-deal star status, it’s also adept at exploring the effect on his loved ones of Adonis’s decision to fight someone truly dangerous.
Rocky’s supportiveness battling against his not wanting to watch his protégé succumb to his old friend’s fate, alongside Bianca being similarly caught between not wanting to see him get hurt and not wanting to stand in his way, lends the drama a believable sense of anguish.
By the time it gets to the inevitable big final showdown, it feels like it all matters and allows that singular rousing feeling of being desperate for him to win soar even higher.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here