"Creed II," a pivotal 2018 entry in the Rocky saga, focuses on Adonis "Donnie" Creed (Michael B. Jordan) as he grapples with personal and professional challenges under the tutelage of his trainer, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). The film starts on a triumphant note with Adonis winning the WBC World Heavyweight Championship and proposing to his girlfriend, Bianca Taylor (Tessa Thompson). However, the narrative's core revolves around the emergence of Viktor Drago, son of Ivan Drago, the former Soviet boxer infamous for killing Adonis's father, Apollo Creed, in the ring.
"Creed II" intricately explores themes of legacy, revenge, and redemption. Adonis, now a world-renowned boxing champion, confronts an existential crisis, compounded when Viktor Drago challenges him. Rocky, haunted by the memory of Apollo's tragic fate, initially refuses to support Adonis's decision to fight Viktor, leading to tension and a subsequent relocation to Los Angeles for Adonis and Bianca.
The initial bout between Adonis and Viktor culminates in Adonis's severe defeat and physical injury, although Viktor's disqualification allows Adonis to retain the title. This loss, however, inflicts deep emotional and psychological wounds, estranging Adonis from Bianca and his mentor, Rocky. It is only after Rocky reconciles and agrees to train him that Adonis prepares for a crucial rematch, focusing on internal fortitude and resilience.
The rematch in Moscow is a climactic event in the film, showcasing Adonis's strategic control and Viktor's desperate struggle under Ivan's oppressive expectations. In a moment of paternal realization, Ivan throws in the towel to save Viktor, signifying a poignant moment of redemption and care.
"Creed II" not only revisits the legacy of the fathers — Apollo and Ivan — through their sons but also emphasizes the impact of the past on their present lives. The film concludes with a sense of closure and reconciliation: Adonis comes to terms with his father's legacy, and Viktor and Ivan reconcile, finding a renewed relationship.
Despite following the familiar Rocky blueprint, including iconic training montages and boxing showdowns, the film delves into its characters' emotional depths. Jordan's portrayal of Adonis Creed and his dynamics with Bianca, played by Thompson, add a compelling human element to the high-stakes boxing drama.
