Is Creed 2 as Good as the Original Creed Movie?
In my expert opinion as a longtime boxing movie aficionado, Creed 2 falls just short of matching the quality and emotional impact of the first Creed movie. Don‘t get me wrong – Creed 2 is still an entertaining film with great performances, fight scenes, and production values. However, it lacks some of the heart and dramatic power that made Creed such a knock-out.
Creed 2 Stands on the Shoulders of a Superior Film
Let‘s start by looking at how the critics viewed both films. Creed (2015) earned a superb 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and an 82 Metacritic score, indicating near universal acclaim. Creed 2 (2018) earned a solid but noticeably lower 83% and 66 on those sites. While still positive, it‘s clear which film resonated more.
Creed became something special by the way it reinvigorated the Rocky franchise while also standing completely on its own. It introduced a compelling new protagonist searching for identity and purpose. Creed 2 feels more like a nostalgic callback, rehashing old plot lines – namely the Ivan Drago rivalry which was already covered extensively in Rocky IV.
In terms of box office, Creed greatly exceeded expectations by earning $173 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. Creed 2 built on that success with a larger $214 million gross. However, it‘s harder to capture lightning in a bottle a second time. The story just doesn‘t feel as fresh or inspired.
Creed Rotten Tomatoes vs Metacritic Scores:
| Movie | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic |
|---|---|---|
| Creed | 95% | 82 |
| Creed 2 | 83% | 66 |
Creed vs Creed 2 Box Office Earnings:
| Movie | Global Earnings |
|---|---|
| Creed | $173 million |
| Creed 2 | $214 million |
Now let‘s do a deeper dive on the key factors that make Creed the superior film in my view.
Creed‘s Story Has More Poignancy
Creed 1 chose an unexpected entry point into the Rocky mythology by focusing on Adonis Creed – the son Apollo Creed never knew. Adonis grew up without a father or clear identity. This story allowed Creed to transcend the sports movie genre and also become a powerful drama about finding one‘s true self.
Meanwhile, Creed 2 falls back on rehashing the Apollo Creed vs. Ivan Drago grudge, with their kids substituting for each round 2. Yes, there are familial themes of sons trying to live up to their father‘s legacies. But the movie leans too hard on boxing movie cliches and Rocky IV nostalgia versus charting its own course.
Jordan and Stallone Excel Again
One thing both films get right is stellar lead performances. Michael B. Jordan proves why he is one of the finest actors of his generation, conveying so much emotion through subtle expressions. His chemistry with Sylvester Stallone also electrifies the screen.
Stallone was credited with his best acting work in decades for the first Creed, deservedly earning Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. He shows uncommon nuance and depth in these films, aided by Rocky‘s cancer storyline in Creed allowing him to explore ideas of mortality and leaving a legacy.
Supporting Casts Add Flavor
The supporting ensembles help round out both films, though Creed 2 deserves special praise in this regard. Tessa Thompson does fantastic work again as Bianca, Adonis‘ aspiring musician girlfriend. She serves as the grounded, moral compass for Adonis.
New additions in Creed 2 pay homage to Rocky IV, from Dolph Lundgren‘s haunting return as Ivan Drago to Florian Munteanu‘s intimidating presence as Viktor Drago. Brigitte Nielsen even makes a fun cameo reprising her role as Viktor‘s mother. The film utilizes nostalgia well here.
Creed‘s Fights Pack More Punch
Any boxing movie lives and dies by its fight scenes. Here, Creed 1 edges out the sequel as well. Creed features exhilaratingly raw, gritty matches shot in intimate settings. The movie builds tremendous tension as we witness Adonis striving to prove his worth against legitimate contenders.
Creed 2 adopts a more operatic, big-budget aesthetic for its fights. The rematch with Viktor Drago set in Moscow has huge spectacle. However, the fights come across overly choreographed, lacking the visceral edge of the first movie. And nothing matches the emotional crescendo of Adonis’ showdown with Pretty Ricky Conlan in Creed’s climax.
The Verdict: Creed Remains Champ
While falling short of the original, Creed 2 deserves credit for extending the franchise in crowd-pleasing fashion. It gave Adonis Creed‘s story a worthy continuation while providing nostalgia for Rocky fans. The performances, fight scenes, drama and entertainment value are all solid.
But to me Creed remains the undisputed champ. It surprised audiences with its heart, character depth and exhilarating boxing sequences. Creed 2 feels like it‘s playing it safer, content with basking in the first film‘s reflected glory. That‘s no knock out, but it can‘t match the sheer electricity of Creed‘s winning formula. I score the bout to Creed by split decision.