By: Jacob Mueller ~Staff Writer~

“Creed” is the newest chapter in the “Rocky” franchise, starring Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed, the son of the fictional boxing legend Apollo Creed. Sylvester Stallone returns once again as the iconic character Rocky Balboa. He mentors and trains Adonis to become a boxer in this film sensation.

“Creed” is the best movie in the franchise since the original and is without a doubt one of the best films of the year.

The performances in “Creed” are electric. Jordan is perfect for the role and his charming personality translates very well on screen. He clearly got in great shape for the movie, looking like a legitimate boxer once he stepped into the ring and threw some punches.

Stallone is close to Oscar-worthy, with one of his best performances in years. Rocky’s character has rarely been portrayed well on screen, and it’s a treat to be able to see it happen perfectly. The two have excellent chemistry with each other and you can’t help but cheer for this powerhouse duo.

The film was exceptionally directed by young critically acclaimed director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station). He proves once again that he is tremendously talented behind the camera. The filmography is breathtaking and the pacing is utterly flawless, especially during the fighting sequences.

The boxing looks incredibly authentic, along with numerous intense moments throughout the film. Coogler and others also wrote a remarkable script for “Creed” that perfectly blends boxing and a heart-wrenching, touching, underdog story.

“Creed” is a must see film in theaters for “Rocky” and film fans alike. It has numerous parallels to the original and is a glorious sendoff to the “Rocky” franchise.

The film preserves the Creed legacy in the process, opening the door to an amazing story and possible upcoming franchises. Amazing performances and astonishing direction along with writing from Coogler create a film that will have you tearing up throughout and cheering in the end. I promise you will want to see it again, like myself.