Nearly 40 years have passed since boxing drama Rocky became a phenomenon. The John G. Avildsen-directed film became the biggest box office hit of 1976 and went on to claim the Best Picture Oscar. However, after a string of sequels, it appeared that star Sylvester Stallone had put his final stamp on the franchise with 2006 release Rocky Balboa. Of course, that was until filmmaker Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station) stepped up to resurrect the franchise with Creed.

Reuniting Coogler with actor Michael B. Jordan, the new film introduces the young star as Adonis Johnson, the illegitimate son of Rocky’s late rival-turned-friend Apollo Creed (who died during Rocky IV). Deciding to follow in his father’s footsteps, Adonis heads to Philadelphia to track down Rocky (Stallone), and before long, the two men form a bond that sends them hurtling back towards the ring.

Much like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Creed features a significant number of callbacks to the classic films that inspired it. However, Coogler’s film arguably does a far better job at integrating references to past entries within its own story, drawing upon the shared history between Rocky and Apollo to fuel the burgeoning friendship between the characters played by Stallone and Jordan. In much the same way, Creed seamlessly blurs the line between tried-and-true filmmaking techniques like the good ol’ training montage — notably popularized by the Rocky franchise — and more ambitious set pieces, such as a mid-film fight sequence that takes place in a single take.

In much the same way audiences first met Rocky back in his first film, Adonis is searching for his place in the world, and his quest for purpose and validation in the face of his father’s looming legacy is just as powerful and moving as longtime fans would hope. Following the epic fail that was Fantastic Four, Jordan certainly needed a win, and he proves here that the potential he demonstrated in films like Fruitvale Station was not misplaced. Rising star Tessa Thompson (Dear White People) lends fine support as his love interest, an aspiring musician with her own path to follow, and Phylicia Rashad effortlessly makes the most of her limited screentime as Adonis’s adopted mother.

What might surprise some viewers about Creed isn’t that it harkens back to the true spirit of the Rocky franchise — which has always employed boxing as a metaphor for facing life’s battles and relentlessly pursuing your goals — but just how well the film does so. Despite its title, Creed is nearly as much Rocky’s story as any of the previous six films, and for his part, the series’ original star delivers possibly the best performance of his career.

With so much time and passion invested in this franchise, Stallone brings a soulful presence to the film, conveying just as much with a look as any actor could with an entire monologue. It’s truly a stunning turn that Oscar voters are unlikely to ignore, despite the fact that the actor’s career has predominantly focused on over-the-top action (pun intended) and melodrama.

By virtually any measure, Creed is an absolute triumph, effortlessly reinvigorating the Rocky franchise and delivering one of the best installments yet. The film is a testament to the power of nostalgia, yes, but it also bears all the hallmarks of unforgettable filmmaking. Memorable characters, engaging story and thrilling fight sequences abound here, and thanks to the chemistry Jordan and Stallone share, Creed has as much heart as any film audiences are likely to see for some time. Bring on Creed 2.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Follow Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter @CrookedTable!

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