Actually wanted to give this movie a 3.5 star, but alas that option doesn't exist.
This is a good movie but I think they wasted time at the start and in the middle. Some of that time should have been devoted to developing the complex relationship between Adonis and Dame. What bonded them as brothers? We really needed a few more scenes of them overcoming hardship/abuse together, having each other's back. They also needed a few scenes to show how Adonis' abandonment of Dame made him resentful, bitter, and vengeful.
I understand the theme of Adonis being a family man and bonding with his deaf daughter. But the stronger theme for me was the bond between the two brothers. I feel the movie should have ended with Adonis and Dame exploring the hate/love they have for each other. i.e., Dame yelling with blood and tears dripping: "You abandoned me, brother"... and the both of them reconciling as brothers. That would have been powerful.
Michael B Jordan is good, but Jonathan Majors is freaking fantastic! He is such a powerful, emotional, and intelligent actor. He made the movie work for me. Once he came on the screen in the hoodie . . . it was on. He gave the movie pace, purpose, and intensity.