Creed II, directed by Steven Caple Jr., is a powerful and emotionally charged movie that serves as a worthy follow-up to the successful 2015 hit, Creed.
The movie continues the story of Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan, Raising Dion), son of the legendary boxer Apollo Creed, as he navigates the complexities of his personal and professional life.
What Is Creed II About?
The plot centres around a rematch between Adonis and Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), son of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), the man who killed Adonis' father in the ring years before.
Years after Adonis Creed made a name for himself the young boxer becomes the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
Life is good, his marriage to Bianca is solid and then comes trouble when Ivan Drago comes to Philadelphia with his son, Viktor, to challenge Adonis.
Against Rocky's advice, Adonis accepts the challenge and pays the price leaving him injured and demoralized.
Together, Rocky and Adonis' family must find a way to rekindle his fighting spirit and face down Viktor again.
The fight is not just about redemption and revenge but also about legacy, as both fighters carry the weight of their fathers' history on their shoulders.
The themes explored in Creed II are universal and relatable. The movie touches on the importance of family, identity, and finding one's place in the world.
The tone is sombre yet hopeful, with moments of humour and warmth interspersed throughout.
Creed II Official Trailer
Is Creed II Worth Watching?
Michael B. Jordan gives a powerhouse performance as Adonis Creed, conveying both vulnerability and strength in equal measure.
The supporting cast, including Tessa Thompson as Adonis' girlfriend Bianca and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, are also outstanding in their respective roles.
Steven Caple Jr.'s direction is masterful, capturing the grit and intensity of the boxing world while also allowing the characters to shine. The score by Ludwig Göransson is equally impressive, perfectly capturing the emotional beats of the story.
The production design and cinematography are stunning, with each fight scene choreographed to perfection.
The special effects and editing also add to the visceral experience of watching the film, making you feel like you're right there in the ring with the fighters.
The pacing is excellent, with the movie building to a thrilling and emotionally satisfying climax. The dialog is sharp and poignant, with each character given moments to shine.
Overall, Creed II is a fantastic movie that will leave you feeling exhilarated and moved. It's a worthy addition to the Rocky franchise and a testament to the power of perseverance, love, and redemption.
Why is Creed II rated R?
Creed II is rated R for language throughout, some violence, and a sexual reference. The movie includes a significant amount of strong language, with characters using profanity frequently throughout the film.
The violence in the movie is mainly related to the boxing matches and training sequences, which depict realistic and intense fighting scenes with blood and injuries. There are also a few instances of non-boxing violence, including a scene where a character is beaten up outside of the ring.
Overall, Creed II's R rating is primarily due to its realistic and intense portrayal of boxing violence, strong language, and the inclusion of a sexual reference. The rating indicates that the movie is not suitable for younger audiences, and parental guidance is advised for those under 15 years old.
How Many Times Does Creed Fight Drago In Creed 2?
Adonis Creed fights Viktor Drago twice in Creed II. The first time they fight is in a match early in the movie, which ends with Adonis being defeated by Viktor.
The second time they fight is a highly anticipated rematch towards the end of the movie, which serves as the climax of the story.
Without giving away any spoilers, the second fight is a significant and emotionally charged moment in the movie.
Cast Of Creed 2
Michael B. Jordan as Adonis “Donnie” Creed, a talented heavyweight boxer and son of world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed.
Sylvester Stallone (Rambo: Last Blood) as Robert “Rocky” Balboa, two-time world heavyweight champion who becomes Adonis's trainer and mentor.
Tessa Thompson as Bianca Taylor, Donnie's girlfriend, who becomes his fiancée and the mother of his child.
Phylicia Rashad as Mary Anne Creed, Apollo's widow and Adonis's stepmother
Dolph Lundgren as Captain Ivan Drago, Russia's former prize champion boxer, who, having been disgraced in Russia, relocated to Ukraine to raise his son Viktor
Florian Munteanu as Viktor Drago, Ivan's son who is a burly and ruthless boxer, and Adonis's new rival
Russell Hornsby as Buddy Marcelle: A boxing promoter
Milo Ventimiglia as Rocky Balboa Jr.: Rocky's estranged son, who moved to Chicago
Brigitte Nielsen as Ludmilla Vobet Drago, Ivan's ex-wife and Viktor's mother
In addition, archive footage of Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed is used throughout the film.
