Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Creed II’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

‘It’s your time.’
-Rocky Balboa

The past is something that is often viewed in a negative light and understandably so. Because each and every one of us come to learn at a fairly early age, that rough moments from yesterday, have an impact upon us today and tomorrow. One that is often bad in nature. For some of those ugly experiences engender resentment and anger in us, which in turn elicits a nasty response on our part when those memories come to the surface. Or it can elicit fear in our souls and motivate us to shy away from opportunities and experiences that could in fact be healthy for us. If anything, the sour response that the past inspires in us is so strong, that all of those elements are explored in storytelling often, simply because it offers so much for us to chew upon and because the struggle to overcome it, can be quite powerful.
 
Because so many of us, simply don’t know how to let go of those ugly memories from yesterday, or the pain that they cause us. And being able to explore such matters in a safe space helps us to formulate our own way forward and oddly enough, one particular genre of film that does an incredible job of exploring the power of the past and how it can help us instead of hinder us, are sports movies. Because sports are a wonderful way to funnel and channel one’s pain into something positive. Provided of course the character in question learns how to do that properly and recently, this reviewer had the opportunity to revisit a sports film that not only explored those elements in a powerful and detailed manner, but it also did a wonderful job of properly bidding farewell to a silver screen icon in Creed II.
 
Now in this particular motion picture we are able to follow up with Adonis Johnson as he continues to fight under his father’s surname, and it turns out that he is doing quite well for himself these days. Because when we catch up with him here, he’s finally won the Heavyweight Championship and he is flat out on top of the world. But it doesn’t take long for the universe to decide to test Adonis. For not long after he has claimed the title of Champion, a blast from his past emerges. Because it turns out that Ivan Drago, the man responsible for Apollo Creed’s death, has been training his own son in the art of boxing and he would like Viktor to take on Adonis in a heavyweight title match. A move that quite frankly rattles Adonis like never before since he is fully aware of what could happen to him if he enters the ring with another Drago. Which means that Adonis is going to have to dig deep and face his fears and the demons in his past if he is going to remain a champion, a feat that might be easier said, than done.

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​So, what makes this particular film so incredibly worth our while is the sheer fact that it holds nothing back in its presentation of the power of the past and how easily it can impact us in a negative manner. Because the instant Rocky and Adonis come face to face with the Drago family and their wishes, they immediately let bad memories of yesterday wash over them. To the point where Rocky further backs away from the world and of course, Adonis goes and does some silly things in the ring because he lets fear infect every aspect of his mind and soul and really, the point of this particular part of the journey, is to allow for us to relate to these dynamic characters and really understand their plight. So that when the movie shifts gears to overcoming the power of the past, we are rooting for them every single step of the way as we learn something from their actions. 
 
Which is truly the highlight of the story since both Rocky and Adonis have to be honest about what is eating at them and rather than go the traditional route that stories in this vein go, where they focus heavily on messages of just ‘letting the past go’, this story offers up a different take on how to heal from yesterday. In that, it more or less teaches us to embrace our mistakes and embrace what has happened. Because the only way we can truly start to overcome what’s eating at us, is to acknowledge it and give it gravity, so that we can properly address it. And in this instance, Rocky finally recognizing his worth and that family is forever, is what finally allows for him to shed his fear, whereas Adonis accepts his past and how he’s come to this point. Which allows for him to finally separate himself from his father’s legacy so he can create his own and that makes for one satisfying ending when all is said and done, one that reminds the audience to embrace everything about who they are and make peace with it so you can find a way forward.
 
But there was also mention of this film offering up closure for a silver screen icon and really, it becomes obvious in the closing seconds of the fight and of this film that this is Rocky’s farewell. Because he finally sees himself as worthy and valuable by the end of this story, something that he has always struggled with, even with loving people at his side. Which means he’s found peace at last here and a clear path as to how to enjoy life with his family and that really is a beautiful way to wrap up his long and winding journey, all while passing the torch to Adonis if the studio decides that a Creed III is in order. And if it doesn’t, well then this is the perfect way to end the saga. Because everyone in this franchise, found their way or lived a good life and that’s about a happy an ending as one can ask for when it comes to a story about a down-home boxer that never thought he’d amount to anything, and it is supremely satisfying to see Rocky and Adonis’ respective journeys come to an end in such a beautiful manner, after all the strife they’ve been through.

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