Michael B. Jordan shows that he has the eye of the tiger in this Rocky spin-off. Creed is a hit. It really does go, the distance.

Rating: 9/10 (6 December 2015)

This inspirational, action-packed, emotional driven, underdog story was a 1st round, solid knock-out! Written and directed by Ryan Coogler of 2013's Fruitvale Station fame. The movie tells the story of Adonis Johnson Creed (Michael B. Jordan), a young man with a trouble past, trying to forge a career of his own as a boxer. Intent on becoming more, he eventually travels to Philadelphia to seek out his father's old rival/friend, ex-boxer, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and convince him to become his trainer. Can, the illegitimate son of a famous late world champion boxer, make a name for himself, or will Adonis Johnson Creed, forever live, under the shadows of his father's legacy? Watch the movie to find out! Without spoiling the movie, too much; despite, the fact that this movie is a Rocky spin-off, it still follows the same guidelines as any of the previous Rocky franchise films. (1976 to 2006). All the familiar schmaltzy tropes are there in this film, from the small touches of the iconic theme song, the training montage, and the clever shout outs film references. While, this makes this movie, somewhat of a predictable rethread; there still something to say, about Creed. It also gives something new to the table and doesn't feel like an accessory to Rocky films. Yes, it's true, that all the nostalgia Rocky mentions, are the reasons, why I went to see this film, in the first place, but even, if you take away, all of that. This film would still stand out as a really great film, after seeing it. There is plenty of new things, worth noticing about. I love how the new music by composer, Ludwig Göransson sounds so much more epic than any of the Rocky soundtracks combined. Despite, not being a huge rap fan, the hip-hop touch to the film, was indeed something new to the franchise and wasn't as annoying as I thought, it was going to be. The way, this movie shot, its fight choreography is amazing. It looks a like more realistic, brutal & grounded, rather than older cartoony style of the last series of films. I love how the movie shows the fighter's fighting stats, before each fight. It really shows the pressure that Adonis is getting himself, into. In my opinion, this film doesn't feel like it's ripping off, any of the previous films. It's more, like it's changing how fighting movies are made. Fighting against the established fighting tropes, the movie shows a more complicated side of the main character. Unlike Rocky Balboa who came from poverty to become somebody. Adonis Creed has always been successful, but wants to have something more than his normal 9-5 white-collar job. He wants to do something, some people don't try. Go for his dreams. This make him, so much more relatable, than Rocky; whom chose to do boxing, because that's what he felt, he was only good at. While, Adonis has a chip on his shoulder about being Apollo's son and has demons to silence. He's well-intentioned, kind, and determined to succeed. In my opinion, Michael B. Jordan really does turn in, an outstanding performance, showing great details of Adonis's struggles of trying to figure out, who he really is. Yes, it does mean that, we don't get to know him as deeply as we did Rocky, but for me, in a personal level, I found the scenes with Adonis to be engaging. While, his relationship with singer-songwriter, Bianca (Tessa Thompson) was a bit underwhelming. I wish Bianca was given, a little more depth. She seem to be missing, a lot of it, compare to other boxing films, love interests. However, I did like how the character was hearing-impaired. I wish, the movie would explore that, a little bit more. I also like how, both Adonis and Bianca, were able to connect. I really did buy into their relationship. Tessa Thompson does well in her limited role. Still, by far, the best relationship within the film is that, of Adonis and his trainer, Rocky. The scenes between Rocky and Adonis are one of the highlights of the movie. Both characters have very good chemistry, and feels so much, more real than 1990's Rocky V's trainer & trainee, concept. Watching the two men size each other up, figuring out what the other is made of, was enjoyable in this film. Rocky V, not so much. The sub-plot of Rocky trying to figure out, what to live for, after losing so much, in his life, is emotional tearful in this film. When Balboa makes his first appearance, it's hard not to root for him. We've known this character for years, and there's something fundamentally appealing about him. Rocky may no longer be an unrelenting fighter in the ring, but he's still the same generous, big-hearted, and humble guy that we love from the previous movies. Stallone is outstanding in this. Great acting from him. I hope he get nominated for an Oscar. He deserve one. The only problem, I had against Rocky's story is how their absence, Rocky's son, Robert from the film. I really didn't like, how he was mention in a throwaway line. I can understand, why they omitted his character, so they can show, how physical deterioration, Rocky has become, but come on! At least, they come had put Robert toward the end. Overall: While, Creed is full of Rocky references. It's not a cash grab type film. The story is driven forward by Creed and him, himself. Made with a lot of love, the film tells the dangers of boxing, while also showing the positive and negative effects of the champions, willing to make a living out of this sport. Films like this, show that it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard, you can get hit and keep moving forward; because of that, Creed is a must watch film.