What Defines A Winner

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2015)

Reinventing an old franchise that has a lot of miles, as well as imitators, seems like a challenge. Kind of like a long shot underdog pulling an upset. Creed is not just a story about a raw underdog boxer surprising the boxing establishment, it's as much a surprise Rocky as a franchise is not dead. Some folks have said it's as good or better than the original. That's high praise, but does Creed live up to it? Overall, yes.
Creed's most awkward moments are in the first 20-minutes. The back story feels a little forced and not as compelling as it wants to be. That soon fades and Creed makes barely a misstep in the rebuilding of the most popular on screen boxing saga in modern times. There is lots of conflict outside the ring as well as a brotherhood forged literally in life's hard knocks. Even as it feels predictable it just works. This is a completely engaging and entertaining story. Rocky passes the torch. This is a movie with a rich character who, finally, doesn't have to carry the show singlehandedly - and at this date it totally feels right. Recommended.