EAST VS. WEST.

Heavyweight champ Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) is challenged by a Russian who is the son of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), the Soviet boxer who killed his father in the ring.

This sequel to Creed (2015) shows how fast this series adapted the Rocky formula (which is sort of what you get with Sylvester Stallone as a co-writer). More or less a remake of Rocky IV (1985), complete with a finale set in Moscow.

It is however a testament to the filmmakers’ skill to see this film succeed as well as it does, satisfying Rocky fans while also maintaining a more realistic tone from the first Creed. The cast is a treat to watch.

2018-U.S. 130 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. Screenplay: Juel Taylor, Sylvester Stallone. Cast: Michael B. Jordan (Adonis Creed), Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa), Tessa Thompson (Bianca), Wood Harris, Russell Hornsby, Phylicia Rashad, Dolph Lundgren, Brigitte Nielsen, Milo Ventimiglia. 

Trivia: Co-produced by Stallone and Irwin Winkler; co-executive produced by Jordan and Ryan Coogler. Followed by Creed III (2023).