I expected something good, I got something AMAZING!

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 2018)

"Creed II" is one of the strongest contenders for "the sequel of the year" (alongside Incredibles 2 for me) and for good reason.
We all know that the "Rocky" movies are kind of a recipe. You knew that Adonis would lose his big fight in the first movie (just like the first Rocky) and we all knew that our protagonist would be the winner at the end of every other movie, but damn... The way that they deliver every time is phenomenal. If you try to guess exactly what happens in this movie from the get go, you will make a wrong guess, 100%. You didn't see Apollo's death coming in Rocky IV, right?
"Creed II" is a movie that the characters drive the plot and not vice versa, they make decisions that really matter and you care deeply about them. Michael B. Jordan owns this new franchise and, although it connects to the Rocky movies, it's also its own thing, with this fella getting the spotlight on him, although he's standing next to the great Sylvester Stallone, who's also doing an incredible job, without trying to steal his glory. Tessa Thompson's Bianca is once again lovable and she has great chemistry with Jordan's Adonis Creed.
My biggest surprise (in a good way) has to do with the character of Ivan Drago, portrayed by Dolph Lundgren, who continues to be my favorite antagonist in this franchise.
Last but not least, I gotta say that this movie has a great balance when connecting with the previous movies (mostly Rocky IV ofc) and doing its own thing and building its own future and legacy.
Rocky IV is my favorite movie of the franchise and I really wanted Creed II to succeed in everything I was expecting, but I was like "eh, it will definitely be good, but maybe not that much" and, damn, I got everything that I wanted and so much more.
What are you doing reading this review? Go watch it, already!
9/10