Creed

I love these films and they rarely disappoint me. The story is a classic fairy tale but unfortunately without emotions, so Southpaw won in this respect. Michael B. Jordan is likable, Sylvester Stallone is friendly and the one-shot fights almost without editing are breathtaking, too bad there were only two of them, but they were decently long and adrenaline-pumping. I wasn't bored. 75%. (2015-12-29)

I stand by my opinion that this series should have definitely ended ten years ago with the nostalgic "six", which managed to build on the formal and, above all, emotional tuning of the first four films with the help of old and familiar characters. Creed, unfortunately, doesn’t manage that. The story is not bad, on the contrary, it nicely brings together two boxing generations in the world of its famous plot marker and delights with its existential layers, which put the ring and the fight in the shadow of personal life and the excellently sketched relationship between Creed Jr. and the (now definitely) ageing Italian stallion. Yet, I see it as nothing more than a superfluous variation on a disgustingly stale story scheme that doesn't surprise with anything, and isn't saved either by the through-and-through mediocre directorial touch or the lovingly beating heart of Rocky Balboa, which makes us love and respect the whole franchise so much. As a motivational song about the willpower of an underdog, the first one was far more effective and moving; as a riveting, straightforward drama about a quest for satisfaction against a seemingly invincible foe, the fourth one was more emotional and physically more palpable. Creed probably wants to be both, but it succeeds on a completely different, more subtle front – behind closed doors, during the interactions between two characters that are really the only thing that has the power to save this film from the dust of oblivion. And thanks for that at least... (2015-12-31)

With the arrival of Creed, Rocky Balboa bid us farewell in quite dignified way. The movie did not come with anything new, so the only thing left is the endless moralizing of Sylvester Stallone, which I more or less enjoy, or the acting of Michael B. Jordan, which is something you have to get used to. He, as the child of the street, did not at first arouse too many emotions in me. Only Stallone’s upbringing made him somehow pleasant. However, simply by describing it, the pathos makes me sick. The story could not get more typical. Big fans will be probably satisfied with Creed and will nostalgically shed a tear. Rocky Balboa is enough for me, as it was able to make an original movie out of nostalgia, and I did not have to call it what I call this movie. Unlike the previous one, this movie is a completely routine job. (2016-01-03)

I find this almost unbelievable. I didn't believe in the film at all, but it showed that Sly has what it takes to really act brilliantly. By giving up boxing and action, he can demonstrate how great of a character actor he is, and that simply put, Rocky is the best thing he ever created. Incredible nostalgia, yet a great modern film. I had a dry throat for a long time, yet it's a film with a strong positive message. (2016-01-10)

Someone could argue that the story surrounding Rocky is already milked, but this film is living proof that it is not the case. Creed is essentially the same as the first Rocky, a certain formula has been recycled over and over again since then and I still don't understand how it can still work, but it just does and it strongly affected me again. Creed offers a captivating spectacle that can please all old school Rocky fans and also appeal to a new generation, maybe even those who haven't seen any Rocky films. The modern twist suits it well and I was especially pleased with the brilliant camera work of Maryse Alberti, I really enjoyed those few longer sequences without cuts. Ryan Coogler has joined the current directorial elite with this film. I have nothing to criticize. (2018-05-09)