Rocky robbed on Oscar night

Rating: 10/10 (30 March 2016)

Rocky was the first film I ever watched on VHS as a child. I remember my brother bringing home a huge video recorder and us all sat round the TV waiting for the film to start. Pure movie magic. 40 years on the magic is recreated but with new direction for the franchise to the head in.
A young boxer named Adonis Johnson comes knocking on Rocky's door. It soon becomes apparent that the young man is actually the son of Apollo Creed. Rocky's rival turned best friend.
Played by Michael B Jordan,
Adonis soon forms a bond with the old champion and Rocky agrees to train the young prospect. The storyline may sound familiar if you've seen the abysmal Rocky V.
Unlike that particular film this movie has real heart and under the guidance of talented director Ryan Coogler all cast members deliver superb performances.
Stallone in particular is fantastic.
A certain scene in the locker room really does bring a lump to your throat. Over the years Stallone has perfected the character and plays Rocky with such conviction.
Stallone missed out on an Oscar for his performance in the first Rocky and was recently robbed for reprising his most famous role. His performance in this film is really that good. This time playing an older more fragile version of the famous character.
Jordan proves he too is of star quality giving a performance that adds depth to the titular character.
Tessa Thompson as love Interest Bianca goes far beyond the call of duty of playing such a character. This is testament to such good writing as well as the actors performances.
Characters are fleshed out giving the audience reason to invest in them.
Even real life boxer Tony Bellew gets a meaty role as rival boxer Pretty Ricky Conlan.
Lets not forget that this is a Rocky film, just reinvented and repackaged for a new generation. So it has all the key Rocky moments you want and expect. A training montage, a rousing score and exhilarating fight choreography.
The direction from Coogler is fresh, just what the franchise needed.
The boxing scenes are impeccable.
One particular fight is so impressive it's almost too realistic.
Shot in one continuous take the camera follows the two fighters around the ring in a fluid like movement.
Every punch is felt.
Creed is a superior boxing movie and like the original Rocky, it's a movie that's about much more than just boxing. The franchise now has new life.
Ready for one more round!