The Cholo Prison Pit Bull Mad Max Camp in the Desert
ooh, so scary! So tough!
shareI think they were going for something different and interesting, but I didn't like it and I didn't think it fit the franchise.
When Rocky said that Adonis needed a change of scenery, considering the fight is in Russia, and Rocky went to Russia to train for his fight with Drago, I thought they were headed to Russia. That would've been a fun callback, I think, and much better than what we got.
I think that was a great contrast. Rocky trained in the cold Russian winter and Creed trains in a heated desert. It's ok that Creed II basically continues Rocky IV but Creed also training in Russia would've been too much of a "copy".
shareI could've gone with it more easily if it was actually a good training montage, but it isn't even that good. Rocky IV gave us like THREE montages, and they are among the best in the business.
But Creed II's montage just feels uninspired and by the numbers, and also short. Its unusual setting does make it somewhat distinctive, but in every other way it's pretty unremarkable.
Rocky IV was basically a series of montages and MTV music videos with some additional propaganda and boxing. :D
But I agree, Creed II's montage wasn't that unique besides the unusual setting.
edit: the new training methods were also cool (neck harness, close sparring etc.)