Ring the bell! It's time to step back into the ring for Creed 2. Is it worth watching? Yes, it is.

Rating: 8/10 (17 December 2018)

This sport movie directed by Steven Caple Jr, came out, swinging, and it did not miss! Without spoiling the film written by Sylvester Stallone and Cheo Hodari Coker, too much, this motion picture was action packed from start to finish. It was a totally hit for me! I love every minute of it; even if this 'Rocky' spin-off film, still follows the same guidelines as any of the previous franchise films & the story mirrors 1985's 'Rocky IV', a little too much, by having Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) fight Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) yet again. This time under with their protégés Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) & Ivan Drago's son, Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu). Like 2015's 'Creed', which in return, is a soft reboot of the first 'Rocky' movie that released in 1975. I didn't mind, too much of this eighth entry in the storied 'Rocky' film series and the second in the 'Creed' successions, being too similar to the fourth film in the franchise. While, all the familiar schmaltzy tropes & callbacks may make this somewhat of a predictable rethread. The movie did give us, some new material to work with. Some examples are the way, the film gave a lot of scenes of hardship to the villains, making them, a lot more sympathetic than any other antagonist, besides Adonis' father in the past. I glad that they're not robotic one dimensional meatheads. Honestly, to tell you, the truth, this sequel kinda fix, some of the problems, I had with the 2015 movie, as well. Some examples were the lack of resolve to Rocky's rocky relationship with his absence son, Robert (Milo Ventimiglia). I'm glad that oddly, out of the blue, forced subplot finally got some closure, here. I'm also happy that the film gave Adonis's singer-songwriter love interest, Bianca (Tessa Thompson), a little more depth. The loss of her hearing subplot was very compelling. I just wish, the movie focus, a little more on how that loss was effecting her singer career as she is struggling to maintain it. Regardless, I like how the film shows how much this tragic, including the birth of his daughter has cause Adonis; to the point that he has to rethink his career choice. Can he still afford, being a good friend, husband & father figure, meanwhile still somewhat maintaining his self-driven attitude in a dangerous profession that could end his life? It's a challenging question that Adonis has to ask himself. Regardless, Jordan really does show great details of the boxer's struggles of trying to figure out, what he's really fighting for. He really put an outstanding performance. Not only that, but he has great on screen chemistry with all of his co-stars. I can really believe that his character really does love his family. Sylvester Stallone is also good. While, his character has less to do this time around, Stallone still excels at mentoring Creed and reminding him what's truly worth fighting for. I just hate that second half plot mandated friendship break, involving him and Creed. I found, the reasons for them to hate each other for a bit, very weak, and somewhat forced. Of course, also prediction, as they make up in time for the climax. As for Tessa Thompson, she does well within her limited role, keeping Adonis's growing ego in check, while also being a good wife & mother. Because of this, the audience really does root for Creed to win, because it will seem to be for nothing, if he doesn't. Not only that, but Jordan's boxing skills are pretty impressive. He really did put a lot of work in the gym, gaining 25 pounds of muscle to match the real life boxer, Florian who had to lose 20. Both of them, really put out a realistic intense match with their choreography. Not only that, but the way, this movie was shot was amazing. Kramer Morgenthau's cinematography was outstanding. Brutal, and grounded. The training montage here, was a lot more intense than the 2015 version. As for the background music that went with all, these amazing scenes. Composer, Ludwig Göransson did a hell of a good job. Despite, not being a huge hip hop fan, the score mixed with some rap vibes sounds really epic. It wasn't as annoying as I thought, it would. I also glad the movie didn't seem Blaxploitation. That would had been cheesy and cartoony. Never once, did I felt like I was watching a movie target to a certain audience. It felt like an every person movie. I'm also happy that the movie wasn't portray in a simpleton over patriot jingoism propaganda matter, as well. However, I kinda wish the film didn't make everybody from Eastern Europe seem like they had a blunt serious demeanor. It makes the film, a little bit stereotypical. The private dinner scene for the boxers is one such example. Russians are not that uptight, stern and cold. Despite that, I still dig the cameo of a certain familiar woman. Without spoiling it, that was fun to see. Nevertheless, it would also been awesome to see Geraldine Hughes return as Marie from 2006's 'Rocky Balboa', as well, as it seem that storyline never got finished. Hopefully, she can return back in the next film. Regardless, overall, 'Creed 2' goes the distance. It was a total knockout in all departments. A entertaining movie worth seeing.