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John McCann says Creed 2 has good performance and great fight scenes which will please ‘Rocky’ and ‘Creed’ fans…
This weeks’ trip to Tralee Omniplex saw Round 2 (or Round 8 if you count all the Rocky movies) of the 2015 hit ‘Creed’ with our Adonis Creed and Co. returning to face a foe with historical and tragic ties in this latest Steven Caple Jnr directed feature ‘Creed 2’.
Over 30 years ago, Russian boxer Ivan Drago killed former champion Apollo Creed in a tragic match that stunned the world.
Against the wishes of trainer Rocky Balboa, Apollo’s son Adonis accepts a challenge from Drago’s son – another dangerous fighter.
Under guidance from Rocky, Adonis trains for the showdown of his life – a date with destiny that soon becomes his obsession.
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Now, Johnson and Balboa must confront their shared legacy as the past comes back to haunt each of them.
Building from the success of its predecessor, ‘Creed 2’ again ticks all the boxes for fans of boxing films. Steven Caple Jnr replaces Ryan Coogler in the director’s chair but not much else changes in this gritty sequel.
Creed 2
Formulaic as it may be, if the formula works then why change it seems to be the remit here, with the same charismatic cast returning with a few nostalgic additions.
Michael B. Jordan again demonstrates his considerable talent as Adonis Creed with a performance that is without doubt the best thing about the film.
He is ably matched by Tessa Thompson who benefits from more screen time in this sequel and is responsible for the beating heart that is evident throughout, serving up most of the key dramatic moments admirably.
The fight sequences are also a key factor in the movies success with the choreography rivalling anything seen previously in a film of this sort and Vitor Drago the type of opponent that fills the screen striking fear into the attentive audience.
There are some drawbacks however. This is a film for fans of the genre and non-believers will see nothing in Creed 2 to convince them otherwise.
Its formulaic and sentimental composition also doesn’t throw up too much in the way of surprises just asks the viewer to sit back and enjoy the ride.
Overall though after last week’s disappointment in Robin Hood, ‘Creed 2’ is a welcome upsurge in quality and will please Rocky Balboa and Adonis Creed fans everywhere!
3/5
• For more of John McCann’s movie reviews, check out his Facebook page here and website here
