A One-Two Punch of Sentiment

Rating: 10/10 (29 November 2015)

Creed is directed and written by Ryan Coogler (Fruitval Station). It stars Micheal B.Jordan (Fruitvale Station), Sylvester Stalone (Rocky 1-6), and Tessa Thompson (Dear White People).
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
Creed is the best boxing movie of the year and is tugging with The Fighter (my favorite boxing film) for the best boxing film of the decade. This movie was possibly the best time I've had in a movie theater all year.
Writer/Director Ryan Coogler does it yet again and crafts a film that may be better than the original. This is impressive for two reasons. The first reason is Rocky won best picture and is celebrated as one of cinema's best. The second reason is, it is Coogler's sophomore attempt. This doesn't shadow Coogler as he crafts a masterpiece of boxing cinema out from the ruble known as the Rocky squeals.
As a writer, Coogler dominates his heavy and thorny themes and builds them up to make one of the most inspirational movies I've ever seen. With more focus on Adonis' (Donny's) relationships with Balboa and his new girlfriend Bianca, Creed develops a unshakable dramatic core, that reduced me to tears in one scene. With that said however Coogler understands there must be a balance between melancholy and humor, and blends them well, to create a gritty feel for the movie much like the original. With that said, however, this movie, like its protagonist, strives to create its own legacy and largely succeeds because, unlike its likable protagonist, It embraces the fact that is a Rocky spin-off/squeal.
As a director, Coogler works wonders, crafting inspired fight sequences that left me at the edge of my seat; especially the last fight. Though the seemingly unbroken shot fight was exceptional due to the great make- up work; the last fight pulls together not only the brutal action sequences the series is known for but also the dramatic core to end this movie with a finale that is wholly satisfying and mostly perfect.
As for the acting in this movie, it was impeccable. Tessa Thomson, Bianca, more than holds her own against veteran Sylvester Stallone and pulls off a role that demanded a sympathetic, kind and overall delicate performance and definitely deserves an Oscar nod.
Speaking of Mr. Stallone, he delivers a performance that can only be described as legendary. Shedding his 'macho man' exterior for a more feeling and broken kind of Rocky, He handles feelings of disappointment, grief, and self loathing in Oscar worthy fashion. His understated and often times heart breaking portrayal of the aging, quintessential hero demonstrates that no matter how many times Rocky pops up on the silver screen there is always something new and remarkable to learn about him.
Micheal B. Jordan was absolutely, positively brilliant in this movie. The bright and shining star of this movie, Jordan once again demonstrates that he is one of best actors working today. Arrogant and obnoxious yet sweet and likable, Jordan lives and breathes in the shoes of Adonis Creed. This may very well be his best performance to date.
Creed isn't a perfect movie but no Rocky movie is truly perfect. What it is is a powerfully written, exceptionally directed, and well acted movie that I have no problem giving an A+ or 10/10