Page 30 - ARUBA TODAY

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Monday 19 noveMber 2018

‘Creed II’ goes more than the distance. It’s a KO

By MARK KENNEDY even an appearance by
Associated Press Brigitte Nielsen, who plays
The weight of legacy hangs Drago’s wife in 1985 and
heavily over “Creed II.” Not was a real-life wife of Stal-
just for most of the char- lone. (Talk about keeping it
acters, who must come to in the family.)
grips with their own fam- Caple matches Coogler’s
ily histories. But also for the moody, gritty vision of a
filmmakers, tasked with brutal sport conducted by
making a sequel to a suc- mostly honorable men try-
cessful spin-off of a be- ing to outwit each other.
loved franchise. It would There’s plenty of gore, slo-
put any film on the ropes. mos of smashed heads and
Not this one. “Rocky” trademarks — the
“Creed II “ pulls off a rather glorious montages with
amazing feat by adding to uplifting music as fighters
the luster of its predeces- prepare for their shot in the
sor and propelling the nar- ring. (Prepare to look away
rative into a bright future if you are fans of massive
while also reaching back truck tires — many get hor-
to honor its past, resurrect- rible beat downs.)
ing unfinished business from This image released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures / Warner Bros. Pictures shows Florian Stallone got his mitts on
“Rocky IV” and adding a Munteanu , left, and Michael B. Jordan in a scene from “Creed II.” the script — after having
dash of “Rocky III.” Pound Associated Press had a role penning all the
per pound, the sequel Thompson as Creed’s love Rocky, who feels respon- Desire — or lack of it — “Rocky” films but sitting
might even be better than interest, Phylicia Rashad as sible for the elder Creed’s plays a key role in “Creed out writing “Creed” — and
its predecessor. Creed’s mom, and Wood demise. II” since we meet young teams up with Cheo Ho-
Steven Caple Jr. replaced Harris as a coach. Max Kell- Rocky went on to avenge Adonis as the new cham- dari Coker, creator of the
Ryan Coogler in the di- erman is ringside again as the death by beating the pion, at the top. Viktor Dra- Netflix superhero hit “Luke
rector’s chair this time but color commentator. elder Drago but we also go is at the bottom, haul- Cage.” Onscreen, Stallone
there is plenty of continuity: The sequel pits Creed now learn what that dis- ing cement in Ukraine and returns with his dark fedora
Michael B. Jordan returns against man-mountain Vik- grace meant for the Dra- burning for family redemp- and small bouncing ball,
as Adonis Creed, with Syl- tor Drago, the son of Ivan gos. This film is about ghosts tion. “My son will break your shuffling about and mum-
vester Stallone by his side Drago, who killed Adonis as much as it is a medita- boy,” Ivan Drago threatens bling, allowing his sad eyes
as former heavyweight Creed’s father, Apollo tion on fatherhood. At one Rocky, who sort of agrees. to do the bulk of his acting.
champ and trainer Rocky Creed, in the ring in “Rocky point Kellerman says the “When a fighter’s got noth- It’s in the small moments
Balboa. Also back: Tessa IV.” That stirs up trauma for showdown between the ing to lose he’s danger- between crusty Stallone
sons of Creed and Drago ous,” he warns Creed. and cocky Jordan where
is almost like a Shakespear- “Listen, that kid was raised the film finds its sweet spot.
ian drama and — laugh if in hate. You weren’t.” “What are you fightin’ for?”
you must — it feels sort of Dolph Lungren returns as the elder man asks the
right here. the elder Drago and there’s younger.q

Lee Child has delivered another winner

By JEFF AYERS While Reacher searches
Associated Press for answers in “Past Tense,”
“Past Tense: a Jack Reach- two young people from
er Novel” (Delacorte Press), Canada run into a bit of
by Lee Child bad luck when their car
While Jack Reacher is ex- breaks down. Since the
ploring the United States, area is isolated and they
he stumbles on a rural area are lacking in funds, they
in New Hampshire and are in a bind. Patty and
spots a sign with a name her boyfriend, Shorty, are
that’s familiar to him — the happy when a local offers
town where his father was to help them with their car
born. and puts them in a newly
Reacher decides to take a renovated motel. It soon
detour from his plan to in- becomes terrifying when This cover image released by
vestigate his dad’s life. His they realize their knight in Delacorte Press shows “Past
plan goes awry when he shining armor is lying and Tense,” a Jack reacher novel
visits the city clerk’s office has taken them prisoner. by Lee Child.
and the local library. He The two stories eventually Associated Press
also talks to folks who have collide in a surprising way, King. The novel starts more
lived in the tiny town their and the last third of the slowly than typical Lee
entire lives. According to novel is tense and exciting. Child narratives, but once
the evidence, no one with Patty and Shorty’s story in- “Past Tense” gets past the
the last name of Reacher vokes elements of “Psycho” opening, Child kicks the
ever lived there. mixed with some Stephen story into high gear.q