Creed II revisits familiar elements from earlier Rocky films and manages to reshape them into a more emotionally resonant story that should connect with viewers. My biggest issue with this film is that the plot borrows heavily from Rocky IV. However, I found that to be an intriguing aspect in itself. Rocky IV had so much potential for emotional depth but fell short because of its over-the-top 80s style. In Creed II, we see the consequences of Rocky’s fight with Drago. While Rocky enjoyed a celebrated retirement, Drago faced hardship in Russia: his wife left him, his country abandoned him, and he and his son were isolated. This sense of isolation motivates them to earn back their nation's respect, which is a very compelling reason for their actions. Simultaneously, Adonis seeks to restore the Creed family’s honor by defeating the fighters who were responsible for his father’s death years ago. The story allows all of the main characters to develop; Donnie comes to terms with his father’s absence and becomes a father figure to his newborn daughter. Rocky learns how to connect with others, building a relationship with his own son. And the Dragos realize they don't need Russia's approval to find success on their own terms. This narrative really worked for me; it’s precisely the kind of film I had hoped Rocky IV would have been. The cast is exceptional once again; Michael B. Jordan’s chemistry with Stallone and Tessa Thompson is wonderful, and he delivers a powerful performance in his role. There's a scene where Rocky gives Adonis an incredibly emotional speech about why he wants to fight—it honestly rivals the speech from Rocky Balboa and gave me chills. The antagonists are also outstanding. Dolph Lundgren is fantastic and has a significant part, portraying Viktor’s stern and insensitive father. His character arc toward the end of the film is very satisfying. Florian Munteanu was a pleasant surprise and effectively conveyed his character's complex emotions; his subtle facial expressions during the final fight revealed that he wasn’t fully invested in it, unlike his father. The fight sequences are superb. There's a sudden intensity to them that really highlights Viktor Drago’s size and strength, creating an intimidating atmosphere for the matches. Even though the choreography and cinematography might not be as polished as the original films, they still do an impressive job of staging and filming the fights. Overall, this movie is truly excellent, although it may not quite reach the heights of the first film, it’s a worthy continuation in almost every way. Score: 88% Verdict: Excellent

Source on TMDB