Not as good as the original "Rocky" films but still worth the watch.

Rating: 7/10 (10 December 2015)

Let me start by saying that I liked "Creed." I thought it was a decent movie and for the most part I enjoyed it.
I think Michael B Jordan did an excellent job in the role. As did all of the main cast including Sly Stallone (Rocky), Tessa Thompson (Bianca), Phylicia Rashad (Mama Creed)and Tony Bellew ("Pretty" Ricky Conlan).
I thought the story was pretty good (except for one major flaw that I will get to in a minute). It was a well written story with good character development and was well paced. I did think it lacked a little on the original "Rocky" films though.
My biggest gripe with this film is with the main female lead - Bianca. That is not to say that Tessa Thompson made a hash of the character. Not at all. I think, as I previously stated, Thompson did a great job in bringing that character to life. I do think however that she was let down by a poorly written character, not worthy to become the "love interest" of the movie. I will explain why I think this.
For anyone astute enough to realize, the original "Rocky" films were at their very heart a beautiful love story. Yes, it was about boxing but at it's very core the "Rocky" films told us of this beautiful journey of love between Adrian and Rocky. We got to see all the ups and downs in their life but through it all was this unconditional and eternal love they had for each other.
We got to see these awesome character arcs as they both developed and grew throughout the films. Adrian was this shy, plain wallflower who wouldn't even speak and yet we see her over the course of the films grow into this strong, beautiful confident woman and mother.
Rocky was a rough meat-head who was roughing people up for a loan shark and going nowhere in life. We see him develop into this caring and loving father who became a better man for the woman he loved because that was what he thought she deserved. The character development of these two main characters underlies the whole "Rocky" series and we can still see and feel the absolute love there was even after Adrian passed away.
Which brings me to my gripe about "Creed." and the character of Bianca.
Bianca is written as this selfish, self-centered, obnoxious gold digger who sees Adonis as a trophy to be on her arm.
Adrian tried to protect Rocky and stop him from fighting because she loved him so much but she always encouraged and supported him. Bianca at first mocks Adonis about being a fighter then finally comes on board once she realizes he has a famous birthright. When it looks like her career is taking off she drops Adonis like a hot potato when he is going through a hard time and struggling to cope. Then, when Adonis's star begins to rise and he becomes a household name she injects herself back into his life. Hmmm.
She clearly is disrespectful and a horrible person as she is constantly blasting music at 2 am and annoying her neighbors. Even when they ask her politely to turn it down she makes fun of them then continues to blast the music. .
She only becomes interested in Adonis after she realizes that Rocky Balboa is his Uncle. A horrible, horrible person in my book. Not someone worthy of being the main love interest in this movie.
I ended up spending most of the movie thinking "Adonis, why are you chasing after this terrible chick. Forget her. She is vain and self-centered and arrogant and rude and disrespectful. Stop wasting your time with her and concentrate on your training and you will find a girl who is 10 times better than her." So while the original "Rocky" films had you really caring about the main characters and wanting to see their love story unfold this film leaves you saying "run for the hills idiot and stop trying to get with this horrible shrew." The character arc for Bianca goes nowhere in contrast to how Rocky and Adrian both changed even over the course of a single movie. Bianca starts off as a horrible person and ends up as a horrible person and does not redeem herself in any way throughout the film.
My only hope is that in the sequels Adonis leaves her and goes on to find the love of his life and be finally understand what true love is like Rocky and Adrian.
All in all, this is a good film. It just lacks that 'magic' that the "Rocky" films had. The love story isn't there (well it is but it is very one-sided). Go watch it and make your own mind up. 7/10.