Thefanboyseo.com offers up its Creed 2 review. The film stars Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren and Tessa Thompson. Steven Caple Jr. directs while Creed and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler is an executive producer. The movie opens November 28

Adonis Creed, the son of legendary Apollo Creed is back for the toughest fight of his life with the return of Ivan Drogo with his son Viktor Drogo. And if you’re not up to speed, it was Ivan Drogo that killed Apollo Creed back in “Rocky IV”.

Not only does he have to fight off Drago, he also has to deal with the burdens of being a champion, becoming a dad and dealing with a falling out with his friend and mentor Rocky Balboa.

I enjoyed this more than I should. I loved the first Creed movie and I still think that it cemented both Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s involvement in “Black Panther”. But for this movie, there were just a lot of scatterbrain plots or too dramatic moments that could have been done away with.

Again, don’t get me wrong, I loved Creed II so just continue reading this Creed 2 review ok?

Cast

They have a great cast for this. Michael B. Jordan, Stallone, Lundgren, Thompson all did great in this film. In keeping with the theme of developing characters we get to explore Thompson and Jordan’s take on being parents. The same concept is explored with Stallone’s relationship with his son. And we also have that with the Dragos including Ivan’s estranged wife Bridgette Nielsen (who still looks like she can tear me apart with her bare hands while looking damn good).

Can I also say that Stallone’s plastic surgery needs to be kept at a minimum. Or maybe I dunno, fire the makeup department. Felt that they worked too much on making him old and grizzled when in fact, he already is old.

Plot

The plot is typical for the Rocky franchise. Hero is at the top of his game. Hero loses. Hero gets to reflect. Training montage. epic climatic battle. happy ending. Nothing has changed for Creed II and its the same formula that makes it watchable. Maybe its the pedigree of the franchise maybe its just the love for the characters. I just can’t put a finger on it. All I know is that the plot in itself is “OK”.

Cinematography

They sure loved to make “key scenes” as unforgettable as possible. They also love to make them scenes “instagrammable” for lack of a better term. There was a scene that stuck in my head where Creed is in the gym carrying his daughter and the camera pulls back and we see three generations of Creeds in one panel. Of course the third being Apollo Creed’s wall art behind them.

Music

Creed made a huge impact when it was released thanks to the songs sprinkled throughout the movie. Some critics may not like that, but I personally loved it. For Creed 2, we get the same thing, only they are used better than the first movie. And speaking of music, we even get a remixed version of the Rocky theme song. Oh and kudos to the sweeping music they used at the second Creed vs Drago match, very compelling.

Fun Factor

The actual fight was beautiful. I’ve never been so engrossed in a boxing match since Manny Pacquiao was still the underdog gunning for the championship. You can’t help but go “ooohhh” and “ahhh” with every body shots, uppercuts and left hooks thrown around in the ring. I totally wished every boxing match on cable and local TV had the same drama.

Creed 2 Review – The Verdict

9/10

I really wish they cut a lot of the fat in the movie and made a more streamline version. The final cut we have though is fulfilling nonetheless. Michael B. Jordan shines once more as a physical actor when he plays Adonis Creed. Stallone had a subtle role in the movie and was more of a nostalgia factor than ever before.

Special thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures Philippines for this screening!

Creed 2 opens November 28!