Best Rocky since Rocky

Rating: 9/10 (22 February 2016)

Creed [*****] The best Rocky since Rocky. This film hits all the right notes. Whereas Rocky was a thrilling drama about a fighter, this is more like a drama about an orphan in need of a family, and people who love him. It is pretty amazing that a relatively unknown director pulled this off to be honest. His camera-work in the boxing bouts is different, refreshing. Perhaps less dramatic than the work in Rockies 3 and 4 but more realistic, and more suitable to the tone of the film. What we all figured out about what made Rocky such a winner in his movies, is described here in lines of dialogue. How Rocky took the fight to the superior opponent, putting himself at risk, but with an inner flame to win. Michael B. Jordan is very good and likable, unlike his awful turn in The Fantastic Four - which suggests a director problem there. He actually DOES have a resemblance to the great Apollo Creed, and it is quite chilling to see that in certain expressions and mannerisms of his. The past is being referenced with reverence, as every piece of the city Philadelphia has been soaked in the history of these great fighters, so you feel like revisiting those moments, but it is done with class, subtlety and utmost respect. Creed is being acknowledged as the greatest fighter, not Rocky. Rocky isn't even mentioned much, if you notice by the lack of his name being called out, - people call him "Champ", "Italian Stallion" and other things... Creed calls him "Unc" - to make sure that it is clear to the viewers that this is Creed's movie. It feels more like an offshoot rather than a sequel and - thankfully - a far cry conceptually from the movie where Rocky trains a kid only to have him turn to himself. As for Sly... what can I say, you already know he got a Golden Globe for this, and he really reveals a level of acting that I did not know he had, and a layer to Rocky that we always suspected he had, but it was never explicitly portrayed. The girl is very good too, kind of a black version of Katie Holmes. Overall the director hits bulls eye in all areas. Don't miss. Oh, and it does help to have seen at least Rocky 1 to 4 before....Just in case you haven't