Still the champ

Rating: 8/10 (18 May 2016)

During its 40 year history, the 'Rocky' franchise has certainly had an interesting evolutionary curve. The first two, though ultimately uplifting, were sort of gritty and gray. The next two were slick and flashy. In both instances they were a mirror of the times they were made in. The fifth one tried (rather unsuccessfully) to bring things back around to the original before 'Rocky Balboa' did just that and sent things out on a high note. But then someone got the idea to go back into that world and see if there was anything else left to mine. To my complete surprise there was.
'Creed' is, in many ways, 'Rocky' remade. It's almost the original film beat for beat. What makes it different, however, are the characters that occupy the story. Adonis Creed is not Rocky Balboa. He's also not Apollo Creed. He's a unique character whose journey is much different despite going down many of the same roads. Michael B. Jordan really impressed me here. He felt totally authentic and took a character who in less capable hands might not have been able to make the movie his own. That's because he was not only alongside a character that so many of us love, but he had to compete against a powerhouse performance from Sylvester Stallone. That Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination were certainly well deserved. Think there was nothing fresh for him to do this seventh time around? Think again. Stallone gives the best performance of his career, and though Jordan's Adonis Creed more than shines, Rocky is the soul of the movie. I was also captivated by Tessa Thompson, who has such excellent chemistry with Jordan and carves out her own niche in the story.
Writer/Director Ryan Coogler is a real talent. Like most great storytellers, he takes classic tales and makes them feel new again. Creed may not offer many surprises, but the new characters and their journey still feel fresh here. It may not quite be in the same stratosphere as the original ,Rocky,, but it's more than worthy to wear that championship belt.