Creed II (2018)

Do you want Rocky 2,3, and 4 combined into one movie? Here is that movie. The focus is on Adonis getting engaged and having a baby: Rocky 2. He fights a beefy enemy and goes into the fight with the wrong headspace and loses, gets scared but ultimately trains in a new way to defeat the Goliath the second time: Rocky 3. Drago……….Rocky 4. It still manages to feel like its own thing since it managed to create new world-building while staying true to the Rocky world. Also, it’s funny that Ivan’s wife left him after the events of Rocky 4 and that is Sylvester Stallone’s real-life ex-wife. Must have been odd all around to have her reprise her role. The Sins of the Father theme is apparent throughout. Adonis wanted to spiritually avenge his father by fighting Drago Jr. You have Drago Jr. who is pushed by Ivan because Ivan was cast out and wants to redeem himself through his son. It’s a solid movie, but it just doesn’t hit as well as it should. Still worth a watch for a franchise binge.

Story - 16%

Characters - 16%

Pacing - 14%

Spectacle - 17%

Entertainment - 16%

Total score: 79%

Grade scale:

90%-100% = must watch

80%-89% = solid, but could be better

70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you

60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons

0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here