That's what I'm talking about!!....

Rating: 8/10 (23 December 2015)

Adonis Johnson never knew his father, boxing champion Apollo Creed, who died before Adonis was born.
But boxing is in his blood, and he seeks out Rocky Balboa, to ask the retired champ to be his trainer.
Rocky sees the spirit Apollo in Adonis, and agrees to mentor him, even as he battles an opponent deadlier than any in the ring.
With Rocky's help, Adonis soon gets a title shot, but whether he has the true heart of a fighter remains to be seen.......
When this movie was first given the green light, it sounded like nothing more than a way to milk the Rocky franchise, and it kind of tainted the magic that the ending of Rocky Balboa gave me. After all, it appeared, well, it appeared to the audience, that it was the perfect ending to a much loved franchise.
But it's here, and it doesn't do anything to taint either franchise, even if it's a spin off, and again, it proves that Stallone has wonderful screen presence, and his performance as Rocky is up there with his greatest performances.
Like the original Rocky, and Balboa, it doesn't glamorise the monetary side of sport, it shows the struggles and the tribulations of wanting to make it on your own, and not to cash in on a legacies name, which is ironic considering the name of the film and how detrimental it could have been to the legacy of Rocky.
The references to the franchise are there, but they don't hinder the narrative of the film as they've been used previously and at times are essential to the plot, such as when the titular character and Rocky meet for the first time, and the picture from the end credits of Rocky III is a talking point.
Jordan is great as Creed, and doesn't try to emulate Weathers persona from the original movies.
There is a sub plot involving health, and it does feel a little crow-barred to make the final act seem legitimate to the narrative, but with Rocky movies, there has to be an element of emotion, but where the others had subplots involving loss, and coming to terms with loss, this sub plot focuses on finding a reason to live a reason to carry on, as life gives a new meaning when characters meet.
so all in all, it's a welcome edition to the franchise, wonderful performances from the two leads, and even if the final showdown isn't as iconic as some of the Italian Stallions fights, it's as brutal as ever, with some wonderful use of make up.
Essential viewing if your a fan.