🎬 Over the Top 2 (2025)
Director: John Woo
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Robert Loggia, Susan Blakely, Michael B. Jordan

Rating: ★★★★☆

In the 1987 classic Over the Top, we were introduced to Lincoln Hawk, a trucker with the kind of strength that could break records and break hearts. The film’s emotional core revolved around Hawk’s strained relationship with his son, whom he sought to reconnect with through a series of arm-wrestling competitions. It was a battle not just for physical dominance, but also for the redemption of a father-son bond shattered by years of absence and misunderstandings. Now, almost four decades later, Over the Top 2 takes us back into the life of Lincoln Hawk, where new challenges, old rivalries, and the pursuit of something far more important than trophies come into play.

The Return of Lincoln Hawk

Sylvester Stallone reprises his iconic role as Lincoln Hawk, a man who, despite the passage of time, has never lost his rugged determination or physical prowess. In Over the Top 2, Hawk has spent the last few years trying to live a quiet life after the events of the first film, where he reconnected with his son, Mike. However, the road to redemption is never a straight one. Lincoln’s past continues to haunt him, especially when he finds out that his estranged father, the unyielding and controlling James Hawk (Robert Loggia), is dying and has left him a legacy to reckon with.

The film opens with Lincoln receiving a letter from his father’s lawyer, informing him that James has passed away and left him his estate, along with a family business in Las Vegas that had been built on the same ruthless drive and ambition that shaped his own father. As Lincoln steps back into the world he fled so many years ago, it’s clear that the old wounds with his father haven’t healed. His father’s reputation looms large over him, and the inheritance comes with its own set of expectations: to prove himself in the very arena his father had dominated—arm wrestling.

A Clash of Generations

Unlike the first film, where the central conflict was between father and son, Over the Top 2 introduces a deeper conflict—one that pits Lincoln against the shadow of his own father, as well as the ambition of a new generation. Robert Loggia’s portrayal of James Hawk is more than just a villain; he is the embodiment of an old-school, cutthroat mentality that values success above all else, including family. James’s empire was built on pushing people to their breaking point, and now, his legacy forces Lincoln into a position where he must decide whether he will follow his father’s lead or forge his own path.

Lincoln’s son, Mike (played by Michael B. Jordan), is now a grown man, living in Las Vegas and struggling to make his own name in a world where family connections and wealth reign supreme. The son of a trucker, Mike is determined not to follow in his father’s footsteps but instead to carve out his own identity. He has inherited some of his father’s drive, but it manifests in different ways, particularly through a growing ambition to become a business tycoon rather than a champion arm wrestler. The tension between Mike and Lincoln is palpable, as both men wrestle with their own definitions of success and legacy.

The Stage in Las Vegas

The city of Las Vegas serves as the perfect backdrop for Over the Top 2. Neon lights and glitzy casino floors symbolize the lure of fame, wealth, and instant gratification that Mike is drawn to. It’s a world that seems so far removed from the humble beginnings of his father, who spent his days hauling freight across the country, but Lincoln knows that the bright lights of Vegas hide a deeper darkness—where dreams are often sacrificed for power. As he steps back into the world of arm wrestling, the contrast between the old, raw strength of the sport and the flashy spectacle that Vegas has turned it into becomes central to the film’s themes.

A Battle of Strength, Will, and Heart

At the core of Over the Top 2 is the emotional journey that Lincoln embarks on. It’s not just a physical battle this time—his strength and determination are tested in ways that go beyond his muscle. The film delves deep into the themes of legacy, pride, and what it means to be a father. Lincoln’s battle is as much about proving his worth to his son as it is about confronting the unresolved issues from his own childhood. The film is a meditation on the emotional and psychological toll of carrying a legacy that doesn’t always fit who you are. Lincoln must reconcile the man he has become with the father he wants to be.

The climactic arm-wrestling tournament in Las Vegas is more than just a contest of physical strength. It’s a representation of the emotional stakes—the tension between father and son, the pressure of living up to an impossible legacy, and the realization that true strength lies not in victory, but in the willingness to confront your past and move forward.

Lincoln’s relationship with his father, James, is given a fresh layer of depth in Over the Top 2. Through flashbacks and conversations, we learn more about the man who shaped Lincoln’s life, for better and for worse. Robert Loggia’s performance as James Hawk is nothing short of powerful. He’s not just the tyrant he once was, but a man who understands, perhaps too late, the price he has paid for his own ambitions. His relationship with Lincoln is complicated—a mixture of resentment, admiration, and regret that lingers even after his death.

Family Ties and Redemption

Susan Blakely returns as Lincoln’s ex-wife, Christina, who remains a key figure in the story. While she may no longer be married to Lincoln, she is still deeply invested in the well-being of their son, Mike. She represents the emotional anchor for both men, reminding Lincoln that true redemption doesn’t come from victory, but from the willingness to love and be loved in return. As the emotional heart of the film, Christina’s presence provides the moral compass that keeps Lincoln grounded as he struggles to navigate the complexity of his family dynamics.

The contrast between the two generations is a constant theme throughout the film. Mike, with his fast-paced, high-stakes world, stands in stark opposition to Lincoln’s gritty, humble upbringing. The film explores how ambition, success, and the pursuit of personal glory can lead to a sense of isolation, and how family ties, despite their complexity, remain the most important source of strength.

A True Test of Heart

In the end, Over the Top 2 isn’t just about arm wrestling—it’s about the choices that define us. Lincoln’s journey isn’t one of physical strength, but of emotional endurance. As he faces off in the final arm-wrestling tournament against rivals from all over the world, the film reminds us that strength is not just about who can win the hardest battle, but about who can hold on when everything else is slipping away.

Lincoln Hawk’s greatest victory isn’t in the trophy or the fame—it’s in the realization that being a true champion isn’t about conquering others, but about mastering oneself. It’s about fighting for the people you love, standing by your principles, and accepting that the true measure of a man’s strength is his heart. Over the Top 2 culminates in an emotional crescendo that delivers not only a satisfying conclusion to the saga of Lincoln Hawk but also a timeless message about the value of family, redemption, and the unbreakable bond between father and son.

In a world that often values power and success above all else, Over the Top 2 reminds us that the greatest strength lies not in our ability to defeat others, but in our willingness to embrace vulnerability, heal from the past, and fight for what truly matters. The road to redemption is long, but with heart and perseverance, it’s a journey worth taking.