With renewed verve and authenticity as the 7th film in the Rocky (1976) franchise, Creed offers a familiar boxing story to crowd-pleasing effect. Star Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Johnson, son of as former Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed, pairs physical intensity with natural charm, creating a charismatic underdog to root for. Sylvester Stallone does his best work in decades, reprising his signature role of Rocky Balboa, this time as the no-nonsense trainer to Johnson's raw fighter. Both actors are excellent, and their interplay drives the film, but Stallone stands out as Oscar-worthy for his complex, serio-comic take on the iconic character.

Writer-Director Ryan Coogler, re-teaming with Jordan after collaborating on debut success Fruitvale Station (2013), uses the boxing framework to craft a story about relationships. Forming the core of the film are Adonis's connections to his adoptive mother, a scene stealing Phylicia Rashad, his musician girlfriend played by Tessa Thompson, Rocky as the father figure he never had, and to the late Apollo as his unseen motivation. In each scenario, Coogler provides honest, often darkly humorous dialogue that lends emotional weight to Adonis's traditional journey up the boxing ranks.

Also engaging is the film's use of cinematography. Intense visual angles, such as an early fight sequence shot along the ropes with an almost 3D effect, or a tracking shot of Adonis running amidst a Philadelphia motor bike gang, are executed with technical sophistication. Sound also plays a significant part in the proceedings, from cringe-inducing punch effects, to the rousing rap and humming electronic music placed diegetically within key scenes. While the film becomes a bit slack around the lowest ebb, briefly showing its 133 minute runtime, the final, brutal bout delivers big on the promise of its setup. Impactful while light on its feet, Creed stands among the top sports movies in recent memory, and earns a place beside the best in the Rocky series.

Final Grade: A- | 92/100 | ★★★½