There's No Easy Way Out: Review of Creed II

Creed II

Director: Steven Caple Jr

By Alex Watson

While it is a little by the numbers and predictable- Creed II is a still solid and enjoyable sequel. The last effort by Ryan Coogler was one devastating hook that floored even the most die-hard Rocky fan. However, with Coogler heading to Wakanda, his replacement Steven Caple Jr is still able to deliver a gutsy bout. Now officially Stallone's final ever outing as the Italian Stallion, Michael B Jordan assures us that this franchise is now in safe hands.

Adonis Creed (Michael B Jordan) has taken the heavyweight division by storm since his defeat in the prior film. Now the champion, he is keen to set about years of domination and building a future with girlfriend Bianca (Tessa Thompson). However, lurking in the shadows is the brutal and hulking Russian fighter Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), the son of the very man who killed his father, Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). While keen to avenge his father's death and create his own legacy, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is not so keen on this matchup.

While Creed II, for the most part, is a well-acted and nicely executed piece, there is a sense they are just looking to draw out the mileage. A large portion of the movie is bogged down by any number of motivational speeches by Rocky about how Adonis has to go outside of what he knows. The last installment injected real heart and soul in places fans were surprised by. This time there seems to be a little too much brooding going on in between fights. Adonis is a character who slowly is growing on Rocky fan's and to be fair, the movie does capitalize on his rash and impulsive desire to beat Drago. Barely crowned champion, Rocky knows he is walking into a world of trouble.

When in the ring, the movie packs all the needed punches. Viktor is a man 'raised by hate' and Ivan's failure to beat Rocky robbed him and his son of a prosperous future. Their first bout together is a painful affair to watch and Viktor has more than inherited his Dad's brute force- he has gone above it! Adonis' challenge is made horrifically obvious here. While there is an excellent but all to brief reunion scene between Rocky and Drago, the father/son duo is mostly confined to being background villains. Which is a great shame because there is a wealth of story available about Drago's decline and desire for resurrection. This sequel is much like many of the previous Rocky outings and outside of the punches thrown, the story tends to lag.

Part of the issue is that Caple Jr seems more concerned with diverting the movie into unnecessary subplots. Bianca's story is one of the moving ones as her progressive hearing loss is becoming more potent. However, Creed II also loses valuable over whether Adonis and Bianca's newly born daughter will also inherit the same condition as her mother? Viktor and Ivan are also dealing with their own issues as Viktor is being embraced as a hero by Russia. Ivan is keen to return to the fold, but Viktor is wary of playing the puppet figure after his own Dad's notable failure. Any gripes we have are easily thrown aside with the number of enjoyable training montages. This sets the scene for a return to Moscow for another East vs West (or man against man) showdown. Like Rocky IV before it, the odds are stack against our hero and this is where the picture feels at home.

Michael B Jordan is finally making the character of Adonis Creed his own. In this installment, he is able to channel the swagger and confidence of the character and take it another level. Jordan also hones in on the self-doubt that Adonis possesses. Mentally conflicted and feeling obliged to avenge his father's honor, we see a newer and more vulnerable side. In many ways, it feels devastating that Stallone will never again grace our screens as Philly's finest. As Rocky, he gives a wonderful if not lower key send off. A man weary of the fighting world, Rocky is forced to look at his life and Adonis' decision to fight Drago is one that shocks him to the core. Still agonizing over his decision not to thrown in the towel for Apollo, Rocky is keen not to see another Creed perish.

Creed II has its faults, but at heart, it has all the enjoyment and charisma that one might expect from this franchise. Farewell Sly, you did it!

Long Live The King: Review of Black Panther

Black Panther

Director: Ryan Coogler

By Alex Watson

When first introduced in Captain America, no one had any idea the kind of impact T'Challa would make in his own outing. Black Panther under the direction of Ryan Coogler is arguably one of the Marvel franchise's best efforts. Giving a whole new spin and embracing the African identity of the character, Coogler combines thrills and comedy with a great big heart. It also taps into the notion of family and the mistakes we make along the way.

Recently crowned King of Wakanda after the demise of his father, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) hopes for a long and fruitful reign. But an old problem rears its head in the form of mercenary Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) who is keen on giving the world Wakandan weapons. Also, there is the added problem of former soldier Eric Stevens aka 'Killmonger' who has a score to .  with the new King!

Opening on a stunning CGI recreation of the past, the deceased king T'Chaka tells his son about the history of the nation, the black panther and how precious vibranium is to Wakanda. In a seemingly meaningless prologue scene set in 1992 Oakland, we are shown how the old king is forced to deal with his traitor brother. At first, this appears nothing more than backstory but the consequences of this set Black Panther's wheels in motion. T'Challa wants nothing more than fulfil his destiny but is also still dealing with his feeling for ex-lover Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o). The scenes set in Wakanda are a visual feast of glowing purple plants, a brightly lit metropolis city and a coronation against a rushing waterfall with tribes wearing different vibrant colours.

Coogler gives us thrills early on when Klaue and Stevens make a daring raid on the British Museum in London. He always able to expertly turn the excitement on and off when necessary. Particularly during a pulsating chase sequence through the neon-lit Busan, Korea. Channelling Fast and the Furious style manoeuvres, Coogler somehow finds a way to make this one of the funniest scenes of 2017.  Wakanda's glorious and advanced technology is truly game beating here. Family legacy is very much the heart of this picture. T'Challa has some ballsy female figures as siblings with his hard as nails General sister Okoye (Danai Gurira) and his tech-savvy sister (a hilarious Letitia Wright). Shamen Zuri (Forest Whitaker) hints at some potentially dangerous actions by his father in the past.  Frequently the new king has his authority and right to rule contested. Emerging as an emotionally pained but steadfast regent, Wakandan seems like it is in firm hands.

Little by little Killmonger's plan becomes increasingly more unstable and risky. Determined to share Wakanda's resources with the world, his a killer with a humongous chip on his shoulder. He also has the physical threat down as well and in one brutal beatdown, he asserts his dominance over the new king. A radicalised crusader who unlike T'Challa has seen the oppression of his race over and over again. Killmonger emerges as one of the universe's most underrated villains. Unlike the other more notable villains intent on global domination, this guy's intentions run to a much deeper core. Coogler has formed a fascinating new franchise, may T'Challa's reign with confidence for years to come.

Chadwick Boseman gives a high-calibre turn which is surprisingly deep for a Marvel film. Through the pained expression in his eyes, we see a king getting to grips with his new responsibility and dealing with the consequences of his ancestors. Boseman has always had great presences on screen from when played Jackie Robinson in '42' and as James Brown in 'Get on Up'. A tough but noble warrior, Boseman is a welcome addition here. Michael B Jordan matches his co-star blow for blow as the vengeful Killmonger. Bringing the natural swagger he brought to Coogler's previous outing 'Creed' Jordan is a compelling nemesis. Full of blunt force and adept at getting down to business, T'Challa is right to be sweating when this guy comes to town.

Black Panther once again shows that the Marvel universe works best when it takes an unorthodox approach. Coogler has made a picture that is both thought-provoking and immensely entertaining all at once. Wakanda Forever!

Creed: Legacy: Review of Creed

Creed

Director: Ryan Coogler

By Alex Watson

Smartly staying away from being trapped as Rocky 7, Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler has scored a knock-out blow with Creed. Possessing a raw and lively energy that fuels it from the opening frame, this tale of Apollo Creed's son Donnie is one that ignites interest. Coogler demonstrating his love of Philly's favourite son keeps Rocky close enough in the frame that he doesn't steal the show. However this tale has a refined emotion that has lacked in previous outings. 

Adonis 'Donnie' Johnson (Michael B Jordan) is a hungry young fighter from LA attempting to make it in the hard world of boxing. Unlike his opponents he holds a secret- he is the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed. When he is rejected to join a prestigious gym, Donnie travels to Philadelphia hoping to connect with his fathers old rival and friend Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Living in the shadow of a man he has never known troubles the young man, particularly when faced with fighting fierce champion Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew). 

Coogler and co-writer Aaron Covington closely match the centre story line with the original story. In Creed, Donnie is a talented but direction less fighter looking for a fighters life. Taken in as an angry juvenile by Mary Anne (Phylis Rashad), the wife of Apollo, he has lived with a burning desire his whole life to fight. There is a wonderful simplicity that Coogler is able to bring forward in this character along with a troubled vicious streak to fight anyone who gets in his way. Mary Ann is wary of this feeling and since her husband died fighting Ivan Drago, she wants to stop him from following a similar feat. Throughout Donnie gets labelled such derogatory names as 'False Creed' and critics snipe at his attempts to fight. The only effect is it propels him further on.

Finding Rocky is not as straight forward as one would hope. The Italian Stallion is a jaded shadow of yesterday and getting back in the ring in any capacity is not welcome. Through their early conversations, both men are establish a common ground and Rocky still feels pangs of guilty over his role in Apollo's death. Loss is the potent theme and it is expertly maintained through Rocky himself as in this instalment all that he holds dear has truly gone. He will later deal with the most devastating blow off all. For once this character is stripped back to basics and under Coogler emotionally conflicted and gentle soul of the first instalment. Other characters such as Donnie's new girlfriend Bianca (Tessa Thompson) is dealing with hearing loss that will eventually become permanent. Despite this she is still determined to sing and 'feel alive' and this central love theme may not have the parallels of Balboa and Adrian but is nonetheless extremely sweet-natured. 

Creed feels its most alive during an impressive array of fight sequences. Coogler is unafraid to stand back and let his camera do work. Getting in close and allowing the slow-mo punches fly and the blood splatter, the result is electric. Setting up and all or nothing fight with champion Colon, who is shortly going to jail is a tricky prospect. Donnie feels he is only getting a shot because of his lineage but the champ needs a big pay-day after an over zealous movie before his previous fight. Interestingly the finale is held at Goodison Park, home of Everton FC and with a crowd against him the fight seems one-sided. What follows is some of the most enthralling boxing action we will see in 2015 as we feel the effect of every big blow. Outmatched by the larger and experienced Conlon, Donnie has a ton of heart in his corner and this will prove the difference. 

Michael B Jordan proves he is the new lifeblood of this potentially profitable new franchise. After showing a rare quality in the disastrous new Fantastic Four, Jordan is given a character that fits him well. Through a magnificent (and Oscar worthy) performance, the young man is able to tentalisngly bring forward all the pent-up frustrations and needs of Donnie. Ably holding his own against his more experienced colleague, Jordan show us the qualities Fruitvale Station hinted at. In what is his finest work in sometime Sylvester Stallone gives an understated but quality performance. Rocky in this episode is haunted and losing hope on life. Struggling with a body that slowly betraying him and conflicted by the loss of Adrian, his outlook on life is slowly darkening. Stallone shows that given the right direction he can be wonderful. 

Creed is one of the most refreshing surprises of 2015- many people (such as yours truly) sneered at this idea when announced in 2013. Ryan Coogler has shown us that he is a director for the future and this kind of talent is one worth keeping tabs on. Rocky Balboa Lives Again!

The Law of 4: Review of Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four

Director: Josh Trank

By Alex Watson

Carrying high hopes, Josh Trank's Fantastic Four reboot falls way short of the mark. From the beginning this film feels clumsily put together and never quite gets to grips with itself. Although this a darker and more ambitious departure from , the characters that Marvel fans have grown to love just do not feel like themselves. A sequel is due after this, but it will have to pull a great magic trick to get the fans to come back again.
Reed Richards (Miles Teller) is a young scientist attempt to perfect human teleporting to another dimension. Along with colleagues Sue Storm (Kate Mara), her brother Johnny (Michael B Jordan) and his old friend Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell), they attempt transporting themselves. When the trip ends in disaster, the group finds themselves with new powers and abilities. Soon they face a threat in the form of their old colleague Victor Von Doom (Toby Kebbell) whose trip to the same planet has altered his life forever.

In some ways, this installment of Fantastic Four is a welcome departure from Tim Story's old kid friendly and cartoonish films of old. At the same time there is a distinct lack of immediate action on display which quickly drains the thrill level. The tinkering of the storyline to make our characters students in a scholarship program doesn't benefit the story. Majority of the screen time is taken up with the planning and executing of inter-dimensional travel. Sounds great for science enthusiasts, but Josh Trank struggles to make this translate into entertaining viewing. Where is the needed whopping of bad guys that the film so urgently needs to inject? Even Tim Story had that base covered!

Another key issue is the characterization and despite having all copious of Marvel stories at their disposal, none of the four characters has the spark to ignite some interest. The new Reed Richards is a little too bland for this films taste and despite some awkward quirks he just doesn't register. The new Thing visually is impressive but he lacks the comedic feel that Michael Chiklis was able to bring last time around. A thumping and large presence throughout, this version makes his impact felt but lacks the memorable quality to stick around in our minds after. Dr Doom lacks any sense of danger of real menace. Trank makes him seem more like pissed off class nerd going on a revenge mission.

The last act of Fantastic Four ensures that events descend into a dull and almost comical mess. Watching a face-off as Doom makes his inevitable reappearance could have been the save this installment badly needed. Instead we are limited to rather lifeless battle, complete with the obligatory booms and pows inter-cut with some laughable dialogue such as "There is no Victor...Only Doom!" This origin story ironically suffers from a lack of story altogether and despite ending with a hopeful feel, we can only wish this had stretched across the previous two hours.

A talented cast isn't able to improve things to the required level and the talented Miles Teller is wasted in a one note role. Teller is never able to fully convince us that Reed is the man to save the universe from danger. This is disappointing as he is one of Hollywood's most engaging new actors. Kate Mara and Michael B Jordan try their hardest breath life into the brother/sister Storm duo but the material just isn't there for them to make their mark. Jamie Bell is one of the movie's stronger notes and he brings across a more believable Ben Grimm. His hurt and betrayed reaction to his new form is a moment of rare emotion in a Marvel film.

Josh Trank after his great work on his cult movie, Chronicle is brought down to earth with a harsh bump here. His Fantastic Four is a misguided effort that is effected by too many details and not enough action. I hope he is able to pick things up for the sequel otherwise "It's clobbering time!"