A Well-Acted Sports Drama!

Rating: 7/10 (28 November 2015)

A successor to 2006's Rocky Balboa, 'Creed' is A Well-Acted Sports Drama, that works. It's predictable & formulaic, but the superb performances & the drama keeps you engaged, at most times.
'Creed' Synopsis: The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
'Creed' is basically Rocky with a newer face. This is the beginning of Adonis, with Rocky serving as the legendary mentor. The camaraderie works & so does their comical exchanges. The Boxing Scenes are nicely crafted & leave a solid punch.
However, the predictability wears you out. You can guess the entire film from the beginning & hence, there are no surprises here. Also, the emotional manipulation involving Rocky, could've been avoided.
Ryan Coogler & Aaron Covington's Screenplay has the spirit of the Rocky series & it engages for the most of it. Only thing, why bog down to predictability all the away? Anyway. Coogler's Directoon is excellent. He's handled the narrative very well. Cinematography & Editing are perfect. Boxing-Scenes are effectively choreographed & executed.
Performance-Wise: Stallone is the life and soul of 'Creed'. The legend is in fantastic form, delivering a power-packed performance from start to end. An Oscar might chase him. Michael B. Jordan is top-notch, showing what it takes to be the next big thing. His camaraderie with Stallone is the highpoint of the enterprise. Tessa Thompson is wonderful as the love-interest. Others lend good support.
On the whole, 'Creed' packs a punch!