THE MOVIE THEATER — Do you have a friend that no matter how long it's been since you last saw them, you don't miss a beat and pick up right where you left off? This is how I feel about the “Creed” movie franchise right now.

I was surprised to realize that the first “Creed” movie came out three years ago. It feels like the original “Creed” was released just last year, and now we are picking up the same conversation like nothing has happened in between.

“Creed II” essentially continues the story where “Rocky IV” left off. For any who may not remember “Rocky IV” from 30 years ago, it is the film where Rocky Balboa fights Ivan Drago the giant Russian boxer played by Dolph Lundgren. Although the score seems to be settled by the end of “Rocky IV,” we find in “Creed II” that injustice has a way of transcending generations, and proper action must be taken to set the universe right again.

For those of you who have been waiting to see “Creed II,” you will not be disappointed. We are again treated to all the goodness a “Rocky” franchise film at its best has to offer.

Here are few reasons “Creed II” works so well and one really weak, stretch of a complaint as to why it didn’t.

The good

Family

After all the false pride, settled scores and lessons learned, “Creed II” is at its center a movie about family. If you are looking for a film that will put you in a family-oriented mindset this holliday, then “Creed II” is it. This isn’t a movie just about men fighting each other in a ring — it is a movie about what it is we fight for.

The story follows Adonis Creed, the son of the late Apollo Creed, as he makes a name for himself and starts a family of his own, while at the same time honoring the legacies of those who have gone before him. It is a pretty standard formula, but it works for all the right reasons.

Solid performances

My biggest complaint about Michael B. Jordan is that he is either on or he is totally off in his performances. I thought he did a fantastic job in the first “Creed” — he showed personality and gave a believability to a new character. I was excited to see what he would bring to his role in “Black Panther,” but was let down when he came through as a brooding, one-dimensional caricature.

Fortunately in “Creed II,” Jordan is able to show his personality again on screen. He is funny and sweet. He plays a loving father and caring husband and son, not to mention a fierce and focused face puncher to anyone who stands in his way.

Sylvester Stallone's performance was on par with the effort he put into the last “Creed,” which is nice to watch as it shows a level of humility on his part. I like that Stallone can, after all these years, play the secondary part of mentor and friend, while at the same time giving the spotlight to the rest of the cast. Tessa Thompson also delivers a strong performance, yet again, as Jordan’s other half, giving a depth to the story that only her character can bring.

Great motivator

If you have ever come to expect anything from the Rocky movie franchise, it is that you will walk away pumped up and ready to conquer any problem that stands in your way. “Creed II” is no exception.

I remember walking out of “Rocky IV” and walking directly into my best friend's garage where we hung from the rafters by our knees and did situps. This is how I felt when I left “Creed II.” There is nothing like a good “Rocky” movie to inspire you to become your best self.

The bad

Not better than the first

I lodge this complaint with as much respect as possible because “Creed II” is an extremely good movie, and technically every bit as solid as the first film. The problem, however, is when the first movie in a series is excellent, there is almost nothing the second film can do to be better. This is due to the issue of familiarity — much the same way a rollercoaster is never as much fun the second time.

In "Creed,” we are introduced to new characters, and we develop friendships and emotional connections with these characters. We go through ups and downs with them and become fully invested in their successes and failures. And then when you combine an engaging story with the superbly executed elements of filmmaking like editing, beautiful camera work and sound design, it makes it difficult to beat the experience in the second film.

This is what happened with “Creed II” — all of the elements from the first film are in the second film and executed just as well. The difference now is these things are expected and therefore could not elicit the same sense of awe I experienced watching the first “Creed.”

I guess in a way, this is not really a complaint at all, but more of an observation about the dilemma filmmakers experience when they choose to follow an excellent first film with a second film.

Conclusion

Depending on how your Thanksgiving dinner goes this year, you may need something to recenter your commitment to your family and yourself after the dishes have been washed. “Creed II” fills in as an excellent substitute to venting our frustrations, even if just vicariously through two men beating each other up on screen. But more than that, it gives us a desire to reconsider what it means to love family — no matter how difficult it may be at times.

Content

This film is rated PG-13, primarily for violence and some minor language. There is one scene toward the beginning of the movie where two characters kiss passionately for awhile as they roll around on a bed. Nothing in this film oversteps the basic PG-13 rating and would probably be suitable for some kids slightly younger than 13.

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