The old formula still works

Rating: 7/10 (29 December 2015)

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
This seems to be the recipe for all rocky films. They all build on the same ingredients, and then it comes down to how you mix them and how you cook it.
The first rocky film stands as a monument in film history, the true underdog film. It was made by underdogs starring an underdog that reaches the stars. It was a symbol of any mans dream, to become something, to fight for something and be proud of himself.
For the most part in Rocky films, this "theme" became somewhat washed out. But the first one nailed it, and Stallone did a good job bringing the elements together again in 2006 with Rocky Balboa.
But Creed is better, This is the second best Rocky film IMO. And it's almost a bit strange that i still find this movie enjoyable, it is at times very predictable, i feel i have seen this film 20 times already. The Rocky films are of course not the only ones cooking with these ingredients.
But the chemistry between Stallone, Jordan and Thompson is great, and i mean great. This is what carries movies, when actors bounce energy of each other and builds a relationship right there on the screen in front of our eyes. Creed does this very well.
I feel somewhat embarrassed for having doubts about this film. I was unsure if Jordan could pull it of. But you know, he did, my hats off to him. I first saw Jordan in The Wire, the TV series i consider to be the best ever made, and there he did a wonderful performance. But i could not see him as a bad ass that fights heavy weight championships. But Mohammad Ali didn't really look like he could either.
But anyways, whatever doubts i had before the film, the film delivers.
This is Rocky for the new generation. You don't need to have seen the previous Rocky films to enjoy this, but the film carefully makes sure we all remember what Rocky Balboa has gone through in his life, and Stallone delivering his best role in many many years.
The direction is surprisingly good as well, making good use of shots and some impressive long shots. I didn't count minutes but one or more matches in this film is filmed without a cut. This is a sign, that this director is a visionary, that will go out of his way to get good shots to tell a story. I truly hope Ryan Coogler will chose his projects carefully and continue to deliver awesome cinematic displays in the future.
Overall this is a good film. The "enemy" in the film was given little to work with, and that is a shame. So basically what we get is a sort of good vs evil. And it becomes a bit shallow to be honest. I wished there were room for something more there.
But the movie still is about Apollo Creeds son, who is afraid to fight in his fathers name, scared he will bring shame to it. Rocky Balboa is the guy who decides to train him, even though he don't want to at first.
Together They bring a good chemistry to the screen which lasts throughout the film. This was a worthy installment in the Rocky franchise and for some reason the old formula still works.
7/10 - Quite Good