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Review: 'Creed' is the best 'Rocky' film since 'Rocky'

In an upset victory, director and co-writer Ryan Coogler brings something new to the 'Rocky' franchise. Michael B. Jordan is terrific as Apollo Creed's son, and Sylvester Stallone is understated.

Bill Goodykoontz
USA TODAY NETWORK
  • Critic's rating: 4 stars out of 5
  • Stallone has not been this good in a 'Rocky' movie since the first one
  • Jordan is a worthy heir to the franchise mantle, if they go in that direction
Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone deliver solid performances in "Creed."

They were smart to call “Creed” what they did, because really, would anyone have wanted to see “Rocky 7?”

Wait, don’t answer that. Sylvester Stallone’s character has gone from iconic to moronic over the years and the sequels. But there is still a lot of love for the ol’ tomato can from the 1976 original (which is actually pretty great, and won an Oscar for best picture). “Creed” knows this. In fact, director and co-writer Ryan Coogler is counting on it.

He uses Stallone’s most famous character and the audience’s relationship with him to full advantage in the new film, while allowing Rocky to go back to being what he was at the beginning: A hard-working lump willing to sacrifice enough to get what he wants.

In theory, “Creed” isn’t even about Rocky. It’s about Adonis (Michael B. Jordan, working again with his “Fruitvale Station” director), the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed, Rocky’s greatest rival and eventual friend. Adonis wants to carve his own path. He’s an angry kid who fights because he feels like he has to, who isn’t above chasing chickens around a yard to get quicker, who gets a shot at the champ by fluke, who finds the love of a strong, independent woman.

Michael B. Jordan goes toe-to-toe in 'Creed'

Sounds familiar?

If the plot of "Creed" echoes the original "Rocky," at least it's echoing something worthwhile. But there are differences. The film begins with Adonis as a boy, living in juvenile detention when not in foster homes. He's always in trouble for fighting. A visit from Mary Ann Creed (Phylicia Rashad), Apollo’s widow, changes his life in an instant: Soon, he's living in a mansion in Los Angeles, instead of on the streets or in foster homes.

But still he fights, only now inside the ring. He has a lot of promise but he's self-taught, traveling from his job as a financial consultant to Mexico on the weekends for matches (he's undefeated).

Michael B. Jordan is a worthy heir to the "Rocky" franchise star title.

Adonis knows it's not enough. He refuses to trade on his late father's name (Apollo died in the ring, you may recall), but is drawn to his past. So he packs up and moves to Philadelphia, where he seeks the services of a man he has never met to get him into real fighting shape: Rocky Balboa. Adonis refuses to acknowledge his lineage at first. But Rocky, despite a blow or two too many to the head, is no dummy when it comes to fighters.

But he’s also done with the game. He runs a restaurant and visits the cemetery, plodding along in life while inhabiting a character that is the antithesis of the musclebound meathead of the later “Rocky” films (and “The Expendables”). He has lived a good life and he knows it, and he has no desire to go back to the old days.

Except … Apollo’s son is practically family (he calls Rocky “Unc”). Let’s assume you’ve seen an inspirational sports movie, so you can guess what happens at this point without considering it a spoiler: Yes, Rocky goes back into the gym (where he’s still called “Champ” by everyone) and trains Adonis. And yes, he takes him out back and has him chase chickens, as Rocky himself did in the original. He works him on the speed bag but does not, thankfully, wake him up with a cocktail of raw eggs, the way Rocky used to start his day.

Creed (2015) | Phoenix Arizona Movie Theater Showtimes Reviews

Meanwhile, Adonis gets to know Bianca (Tessa Thompson), a singer who lives in the apartment below his. She is a nice addition to the story; she has her own struggles, as Adonis will learn, and is not in the mood to cater to anyone’s whims or moods. But they hit it off and then don’t and then do, etc. You know the drill.

This makes it sound rote. It’s not. Jordan is outstanding in a slow-burn role. He saves his explosions for the ring and, more quietly, a final acknowledgement that is both stunning and obvious, but you don’t realize it’s the latter until he has said it. His final, epic match against champ “Pretty” Ricky Conlan (real-life fighter Tony Bellew), who is on his way to prison, hits all the right notes and, in its way, brings the story full circle.

Which means, probably a sequel. But once you’ve seen the work Stallone and Jordan do in “Creed,” the idea of a “Rocky 8” doesn’t sound so bad.

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: twitter.com/goodyk.

'Creed' 4 stars

Director: Ryan Coogler.

Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson.

Rating: PG-13 for violence, language and some sensuality.

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