Sly's best friend is back

Rating: 8/10 (12 January 2016)

Sylvester Stallone lives up to his name, Sly, fleshing out a great character to revive his 'Rocky', overshadowing all the other characters, even the young Creed himself.
Michael B Jordan slips into the role as smoothly as his hands slip into the gloves. He brings in a new age street smart to the Rocky story, without making Rocky look like a dinosaur. The contrast between the two generations is brought out beautifully when Creed refers to the Cloud, confusing Rocky. Those of us who have straddled the both the age of the tape recorder and the Ipod can relate to this huge change in lifestyles.
The plot steers clear of melodrama even when opportunity presents itself. Whether it is a chance at hostility with the Sporinos, or Rocky's personal fight, Cooler gives it all a miss to stick to spirit of 'Rocky'.
For the Rocky story, beneath all the slang and street culture, has always been about pushing oneself beyond one's own limits, about achieving the seemingly impossible. This time, Rocky says it loud, showing young Creed his own reflection at the Mirror,'That's the toughest opponent you're ever going to have to face. I believe that's true in the ring, and I think that's true in life.'
The ending is a bit of a surprise, but Coogler realises the changing tastes of audiences. A story like Rocky's needs a more practical ending, and anything different would probably not have gone very well with the audiences.
Thank you Coogler, and thank you Sylvester 'Rocky' Stallone.