Creed

Writer/Director Ryan Coogler’s Creed is a lucky 7 for the Rocky franchise, winning every cinematic round from script, direction, acting, cinematography, editing and music. 

The film starts off with a bang, introducing Adonis (Alex Henderson), the troubled, out-of-wedlock son of  Rocky’s one-time adversary Apollo Creed and, swiftly, moving forward to his rescue by Creed’s wife (Phylicia Rashad), then, to his desire to follow in his father’s footsteps as a young man (Michael B. Jordan).

 

Unable to get proper coaching, Adonis contacts Rocky Balboa  (Sylvester Stallone), who, reluctantly, comes out of boxing retirement to train Adonis for the climactic battle with the current champion “Pretty” Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew).

With Tessa Thompson bringing in the love interest, Creed has all the components for a story that will appeal to everyone.

Best of all, Stallone gives an exceptionally fine performance that will put him into top contention with Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) and Benicio Del Toro (Sicario) for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor.

I give Creed a 4.5 out of 5.