Fans say Creed is better than Rocky (Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)
Boxing fans have weeks to watch a masterpiece film that has been branded better than the iconic Rocky. The 1976 classic was the highest-grossing film of its release year and remains one of the greatest films of its kind. However, according to film lovers, there’s another boxing film that might be up there with Sylvester Stallone’s masterwork, and that’s Creed, the boxing franchise’s spin-off film released in 2015.
The film, starring Michael B. Jordan, tells the story of Rocky mentoring Adonis Creed, the son of Rocky’s former rival-turned-friend, Apollo Creed. But Netflix fans must be quick, as it is leaving the streaming platform at the end of this month.
The synopsis on Rotten Tomatoes reads: “Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) never knew his famous father, boxing champion Apollo Creed, who died before Adonis was born. However, boxing is in his blood, so he seeks out Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and asks the retired champ to be his trainer.
“Rocky sees much of Apollo in Adonis, and agrees to mentor him, even as he battles an opponent deadlier than any in the ring. With Rocky’s help, Adonis soon gets a title shot, but whether he has the true heart of a fighter remains to be seen.”
Creed has an incredible 95% rating on the film review website, with both critics and filmgoers praising it for everything from the acting to the screenplay.
One person wrote: “Movie is a masterful reboot of the fan favourite Rocky series. The movie has great camera work, great action, a well rounded protagonist that makes you relate. A good movie to watch when you’re feeling down.
The film stars Michael B Jordan and Sylvester Stallone (Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)
Another said: “Creed is a masterclass in escalation. The action and intensity rises to a point where by the musical training montage I basically lose it and am constantly welling up on the verge of tears until the end of the fight with Pretty Ricky.
“The combination of the strong-willed performance of Michael B Jordan, the legacy of the franchise, the music, the David vs Goliath story, and the skilled direction and writing by Ryan Coogler amounts to a breaking point where it’s just too much.
This is a fantastic film that does all the right things a reboot of a classic sports franchise should. It not only elevates its source material but also safely surpasses it. Hell, I don’t even like boxing one bit. This movie rules.
Some fans even said the film was better than the original Rocky films.
The last chance to watch the film on Netflix is August 31 (Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)
One said: “The return to the world of Rocky Balboa was not only a heavy dose of nostalgia, but was a higher quality movie than any in the original franchise.”
Echoing the opinion, a second wrote: “Creed (2015) is probably one of the best Rocky movies out there, right next to the original. It adds a bit of a different but unique change to the franchise, and it definitely has a great and powerful story.”
The last day to watch Creed on Netflix is August 31.
