In ‘Creed 2,’ revenge & redemption are sought 30 years after ‘Rocky IV’

Posted on November 30, 2018

By MARK VIOLA

In my review of 2015’s “Creed,” I noted that I wasn’t a boxing fan, but that didn’t stop me from immensely enjoying the film, which combined a compelling story and amazing cinematography with two standout performances from Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone.

“Creed” was the first movie in the “Rocky” franchise not written by Stallone, who turned the reins over to Ryan Coogler, who also directed the film. Coogler would go on to direct a small picture called “Black Panther.” (You might have heard of it.)

The first “Creed” introduced us to Adonis Johnson (Jordan), the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed, Rocky’s rival turned friend who died in the ring during the events of “Rocky IV.” The film’s biggest success was its ability to be both a great “Creed” movie and a great “Rocky” one as well.

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