The hype surrounding Creed 2 was just as big as its record-breaking opening. An awesome $55 million dollar opening weekend was the highest ever for a live-action Thanksgiving release. And while Steven Caple is Jr.’s sequel to the Ryan Coogler directed Creed was amazing, it left a something to be desired.
It was the fight we had been hyped over since news broke about the film. Adonis Creed going toe to toe with Viktor Drago, son of Ivan Drago who tragically killed Adonis’ father Apollo in Rocky IV. I myself could not wait to get my ticket and stack this movie up against its prequel and Rocky IV.
Creed’s $55 million dollar opening weekend was the highest ever for a live-action Thanksgiving release.
The chemistry between Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan is flawless and that is what helped save the movie from some of its biggest downfalls. Now, do not get my words confused, Creed 2 is still a movie I’ll go and see 2-3 more times in theaters; it was just somewhat too predictable in certain moments of the movie. Which if we’re being honest is the biggest issue. The second biggest issue, too much plot. Unlike its predecessor, Creed 2 had too much going on. It was sometimes too hard to tell what storyline we needed to follow; Adonis’, Drago’s or Rocky’s.
However, even with those small flaws, the chemistry – as stated earlier – the raw emotion that Jordan and leading lady Tessa Thompson showed as a couple and new parents was inviting and refreshing. Also, the maturity that Adonis finds in himself was a good opportunity for one to look in the mirror and see what needs to be changed internally. And of course, Phylicia Rashad provided the same motherly wit and gusto we all came to love from her portrayal of Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show.
Overall, this writer gives Creed 2 a SOLID 8/10.
The buildup to the fight against Drago was almost everything we hoped it would be. It was obvious in some moments that Ryan Coogler was not behind the camera, but it is a movie to be loved regardless. If this eighth movie in the Rocky franchise is to be the last, this was a pretty good way to end it.