This review will contain some spoilers (nothing too big), so you have been warned in advance.
I wondered if CREED would just be an extension of the Rocky franchise where it is more about Rocky than anyone else.
One of the best things about the first three Rocky movies was that the supporting characters were as strong as Rocky himself.
Ironically, once Apollo Creed died in Rocky 4, the movies became more about Rocky being a Superhero than anything else.
To my surprise this isn’t a Rocky movie, this is a CREED movie with Rocky in it. Of course Sylvester Stallone is a main character and does an outstanding job, but you always got the feeling the movie wasn’t about him as much as it was about Michael B. Jordan and the Creed legacy.
Right at the beginning of the movie, they stray from the formulaic storytelling you expect from a Rocky movie. There is a twist right at the beginning that let’s you know they are dealing with more realistic issues that happen in real life and these characters aren’t being portrayed as cartoon characters.
All the characters are dealing with real life believable issues from the start of the movie until the end.
Because they are believable issues, you make a connection with them immediately and wonder how it will all turn out as the movie plays out.
The other thing that sets this movie apart from all the others in the franchise is the actual boxing is more realistic.
There is DEFENSE in the movie.
I REPEAT THERE IS DEFENSE IN A ROCKY MOVIE.
The training montages while still staying true to their old school roots, show they have kept up with the times (there is a scene that is very similar to what you see in the Mayweather boxing gym).
Having real boxers helps a lot, because their movements are much more natural than actors. While there is still some rock em sock em style sequences, you won’t see any 95% connect percentage in this movie.
There are a few cheesy parts that could have been left on the cutting room floor (trust me you will know when you see them), but this is a movie that exceeded my expectations.
I think it will exceed yours as well.