Predictable story but extraordinary and exciting fight scenes.

Rating: 7/10 (15 February 2019)

I loved the first Creed (2015) for its screenplay and stellar acting performances. This sequel's screenplay is not as strong. It is very predictable and unremarkable relative to the screenplay of the first Creed. The biggest difference for me and why I still gave this film seven stars, and I would have given it 7-1/2 if I could is because of the extraordinary fight scenes in Creed II. For me, the best acting performances were inside of the ring instead of outside of it. The cinematography, boxing choreography, film editing and soundtrack inside the ring were even better than the first 2015 film. I didn't think that was possible to out do the boxing scenes of the 2015 film. Stallone shows us his mastery in building up tension and excitement not only through the boxing choreography between Michael B. Jordan and Florian Munteanu, but the camera that follow and rotate around both actors in the ring that give us the feeling of being in the ring with them. During the second fight when the Rocky theme song begins to play, it gave me goosebumps. No film is perfect, but this film's action scenes truly entertain and will bring any Rocky fan a big smile on their face.