Creed Defends It's Title

Rating: 9/10 (26 November 2018)

I will just get this out of the way: If you are a fan of the Rocky series, you have nothing to fear. Creed II doesn't hit all of the highs on the original Creed but it's another crowd pleasing entry into the Rocky series.
Creed II picks up three years after the events of Creed, with Adonis riding high on personal and professional success. That is until he is challenged by Viktor Drago, the son of the man who killed his father. If you've seen a Rocky movie, or any boxing film, you can probably guess what happens next. Creed II hits familiar beats, but it hits them quite well. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Where this film really succeeds is in making Viktor seem like an unstoppable force, while also making him, and his father Ivan, sympathetic figures. Viktor is the best Rocky antagonist since his daddy over 30 years ago. Donny and Bianca's journey through the film is also very well handled, with Michael B. Jordan turning in another great performance.The character with the least to do here, surprisingly, is Rocky. That is probably where Coogler would have elevated the movie the most.
But what do we come to any Rocky/Creed movie for? Underdogs overcoming long odds. Catching up with characters we love. Training montages. Boxing matches that make you want to go out and fight someone. It's all here. Don't overthink it. Just enjoy it.