the true successor to Rocky

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2016)

I think it's fair to say this film is an instant classic. It's a bit of a genre movie, but for what it is it's very very solid.
I deducted two points from the score, 1 because there are only a handful of perfect 10 films and another one because Creed follows a proved formula. But it follows that formula exceptionally well. We only have to look at some of the latter Rocky films to see how hard it is to do justice to the original. Unlike other follow-ups to long-dormant franchises (cough*starwars*) Creed has enough originality to earn it's own place and not become an empty money-grab, disguised as an homage. You can truly feel how Stalone's life has become intertwined with 'Rocky Balboa's' and the nods to the original movie are moving and self-reflective in the way that there's the right combination of what one might call nostalgia and acceptance. This aspect also makes the film larger than it is at times. The older, wiser Rocky is an immensely likable character, with just enough mistakes to make him feel vaguely realistic. The parallel between Adonis' and Rocky's fight is tastefully done; there's enough humanity and wisdom there, that even though the outcome is somewhat ambiguous in the latter's case at least, the suggestion that it's not really about winning or losing is well communicated.While this is not a Rocky film per the title, it's really not about Adonis either. Michael B Jordan (come on, that's a terrible name...although on reflection he's the perfect guy for the 'man trying to live up to his name' role) does a decent job, but Stalone and Tessa Thompson steal the show. They're both very well written characters, and I very much welcome the film not focusing so much on one character. Oh and just so I don't forget, the soundtrack here is great, although I missed the Lupe track used in the trailer from the actual film.
Overall, very solid film. Stalone finally made a true successor to the original movie with this one.