Creed II boxes clever but it feels likee the franchise won’t make a 10 count…
Creed II picks up three years after Adonis’ noble loss to Ricky Conlan in Creed. Creed jr (Michael B. Jordan) has worked his way back to the top, assembling a string of victories that culminates in defeating Danny “Stuntman” Wheeler (Andre Ward) to win the WBC World Heavyweight Championship. With his fiancée Bianca (Tessa Thompson) by his side, Adonis seems to have it all. But just as his life reaches its peak, the shadow of his father’s legacy re-emerges in the form of Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), son of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren)—the man who killed Apollo Creed in the ring. Viktor’s challenge forces Adonis to grapple with the weight of his father’s past and his own place in the world of boxing.
Creed II plays out with a more formulaic approach than its predecessor, but it distinguishes itself by being a sequel to two movies at once, bridging Creed with the iconic Rocky IV. The film leans heavily into themes of legacy and fatherhood, with both Adonis and Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) confronting unresolved issues with their respective father figures. While Creed II doesn’t quite pack the same emotional punch as the first film, it does offer a deeper exploration of the impact of family on identity and purpose.
There’s a sprinkling of soap opera drama involving Adonis and Bianca’s new-born baby, but at its core, Creed II remains a fairly conventional sports drama. The cast, particularly Jordan, Thompson, and Stallone, elevate the material, even if the anticipated Balboa/Drago rematch never quite delivers the fireworks fans might have hoped for. Additionally, Viktor Drago’s lack of personal animosity toward Adonis blunts the tension of the climactic fight, leaving the focus on Adonis’ internal battle with self-doubt.
Ultimately, Creed II is a solid entry in the long-running franchise, but by the end, the story feels like it’s running on nostalgia alone, suggesting it might be time for the Rocky saga to finally throw in the towel.
