Creed II
(2018)Michael B Jordan returns as Adonis Creed, as does Sylvester Stallone as his mentor Rocky Balboa, in this follow-up to the 2015 boxing drama that sees a new—but familiar—opponent. Stallone co-wrote the script with Luke Cage writer Cheo Hodari Coker. The previous film's director, Ryan Coogler, passes the chair to Steven Caple Jr (The Land).... More
Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family.Hide
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Directed by Steven Caple Jr. ('The Land')
Starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Florian Munteanu, Dolph Lundgren, Wood Harris, Phylicia Rashad
Written by Sylvester Stallone, Cheo Hodari Coker (based on the characters created by Sylvester Stallone and Ryan Coogler)
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Creed II
BY LoganLives nobody
Creed II further explores Adonis' journey through professional boxing. Surprisingly, Creed II delves deep into the lead characters - including the Drago family post Rocky IV. Stallone's Balboa also finds a fitting resolution.
The Press Reviews
Creed II is to Creed what the Rocky sequels are to the original: a more generic, less textured take on familiar boxing movie tropes. The difference, it seems, is Coogler. Full Review
Nothing here has been freshly thought out, nor is there a drop of surprise as to the story's trajectory, forcing the viewer to tolerate conventional emotional beats and stale plot contrivances. Full Review
The rare sequel that doesn't wind up feeling like the same old mistake. Full Review
"Creed II" is a terrific movie, a boxing picture full of inspired sweetness and shrewd science that honours the cherished traditions of the genre while feeling like something new and exciting in the world. Full Review
"A chunk of yesterday tryin' to be today," is how Balboa describes himself at one point. He might also be describing Creed II. Full Review
Elevated by a central trio of winning performances and a director who provides equal weight to drama in and out of the ring, Creed II deserves to be cheered. Full Review
"Creed II" has been made with heart and skill, and Jordan invests each moment with such fierce conviction that he makes it all seem like it matters. Full Review
Creed II, against all odds, really isn't too shabby at all. Full Review
BY Adam Fresco Flicks Writer
The second Creed movie, and (for those counting) the eighth round in the Rocky franchise, packs a solid sequel punch. Though it lacks the knockout blow of Ryan Coogler’s first, unable to live up to the genuine surprise of a great series spin-off, it’s still an entertaining contender. Same as before but different, this instalment draws on the plot of Rocky IV, in which Apollo Creed is killed in the ring by Russian champion Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren).... More
In a bid to avenge his father’s death, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) takes on Drago’s son Viktor for the heavyweight crown. Son pitted against son. Father against father-figure. Forget about subtlety, this is a Rocky movie. Heck, at one point a sports commentator even says “This is Shakespeare!”
It isn’t. It’s soap opera, with boxing as a metaphor.
The moral gets muddy here though because, whilst it’s the taking part, facing your fears and giving your all that really matter, winning matters more. Plus, you really notice how full on sadomasochistic boxing movies are—complete with montages of our sweaty near-naked hero in training pulling on giant chains, being smashed in the belly with medicine balls, and getting hit hard, repeatedly, because, as Adonis’ trainer Rocky (another great supporting performance from Sylvester Stallone) mumbles: “Ta bring the pain you first gotta take da pain.”
In a world focused squarely on fathers and sons, macho men asking what it means to be a man, ripped torsos and bulging biceps, it’s amazing to see Tessa Thompson so great again as Adonis’ hearing-impaired partner, Bianca, lending three dimensions to what could so easily have been yet another paper-thin female role. Taking over directing duties, Steven Caple Jr does a fine job, despite a script (co-written by Stallone) that leans a little heavy on the speechifying.
Still, while the second act’s a bit out of shape and the clichés are on the ropes, the tried and true Rocky formula stays intact—from training montages, that famous theme, a thrilling third act boxing match shot and edited for maximum impact, and just enough heart to stay the right side of sentimental slush. Whether you find the finale’s over-the-top music laugh-out-loud corny, a guilty pleasure, or tear-in-the-eye uplifting depends on whether you love Rocky movies, or find boxing to be a brutal, narcissistic blood sport, rather than, as one on-screen pundit pronounces, a game of “violent chess”.Hide
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