‘Creed II’ a predictable but satisfying sequel

Punches strike, blood flies and music hype up the mood in another heated fight scene in “Creed II,” released on Nov. 21.

“Creed II” is the sequel to 2015 film “Creed,” which itself is a spinoff of the popular “Rocky” series from the 1970s and 1980s. From the opening scenes of “Creed II,” viewers have a general idea of where the movie is headed.

Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed starts out on the top of the world after winning the heavyweight championship. Simply put, there is no place for him to go but down. Echoing the basic outline of “Rocky II,” he will reach rock bottom, and then crawl out of the hole for a triumphant return. While the story is familiar, it is so well executed that viewers will not mind the predictability.

There are still some surprises. Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, has a unique narrative in the film, and Adonis’s fiancée, Bianca, played by Tessa Thompson, acts as more than just a supporting character for Adonis. Bianca is an independent character who has her own musical ambitions and becomes a caring mother. And most importantly, Ivan Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren, the villain from “Rocky IV,” returns with his son Viktor Drago.

Like the first “Creed” movie, “Creed II” focuses on legacy. In “Rocky IV,” Rocky defeated Ivan Drago after Ivan killed Adonis’s father in the ring. Ivan returns with his son, who has been training his whole life for a fight with Adonis. Adonis cannot escape his father’s past and now has to carry Rocky’s legacy as well. He has no choice but to accept the fight.

Jordan pushes himself to add a great amount of depth to his character and create a deeply emotional performance. Moreover, his physical conditioning is remarkably impressive. According to his trainer Corey Calliet, Jordan “dieted hard, trained hard, and did a whole lot of boxing.”

The fights in “Creed II” are stunningly personal. Adonis and Viktor make every jab and hook feel real. The camerawork is exceptional, often lingering disturbingly close to the fight, making the audience feel as if they are in the fight. The blood, sweat and tears completely distract audience members from the expected outcome. Instead, the intense atmosphere of each fight scene causes viewers to grit their teeth whenever Adonis is knocked down and cheer whenever Adonis lands heavy barrages of blows.

The film has a different director — relative newcomer Steven Caple Jr. replaces Ryan Coogler, who is instead an executive producer — but “Creed II” matches the original “Creed” in quality. For fans of Rocky, “Creed II” is a creative and well-executed sequel. The only question left is where the series will go from here, as Adonis Creed now has his own legacy to maintain.