CREED   3.5***

       The original  Rocky won the Oscar for Best Picture  in 1976 that became a long-running franchise.  The series (6 movies) became sillier as it went along although each of the individual films had some merit to some degree. The latest sequel, Creed, takes a slightly new approach. It's not so much a Rocky sequel as it is a movie set in the Rocky universe. That's a crucial difference, and one that marks the film as a high point in the franchise.

Michael B. Jordan plays Adonis Johnson, the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed (famously played by Carl Weathers). A troubled youth, he is eventually taken in by the wife (Phylicia Rashad) Apollo cheated on. As a young man, Adonis decides that he, too, wants to be a professional fighter, so he makes his way to Philadelphia, where he convinces Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) to train him. He initially tries to hide his connection to his famous father, but others are intent on bringing the secret to light.  

The smartest thing Sylvester Stallone did was to not write and/or direct this film, as he did with all but one the previous sequels. Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station), as the Director, brings a fresh set of eyes to the project. He clearly understands and respects the appeal of the 1976 original, and he pays tribute to the franchise as a whole.. But Coogler also brings his own touches. One of them is some innovative staging, including a dazzling boxing match done entirely in one unbroken shot. Another is providing a more internal motivation for the central character. Whereas Rocky wanted to prove himself to the world, Adonis needs to prove himself to himself.  

Michael B. Jordan proves himself to be the real deal, effectively making Adonis' inner struggle feel true. We sense how deep and real the stakes are as he looks for a way to establish himself outside of his famous father's shadow.  Sylvester Stallone gives a stunning performance  as he returns to his iconic role of Rocky Balboa. Stallone acts as both a mentor and hero to Adonis, delivering a heart wrenching and emotional performance that's should snag him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Stallone has finally turned to a dramatic role rather than adding another action hero credit to his repertoire, and pulls it off quite well.

Creed is also just a good old-fashioned underdog story, one that has you rooting early on, then continues build.  Creed works both as part of a larger franchise and on its own  entertaining terms..

Clark