Creed has heart and soul. It's raw and real. The camera work is stunning (save for one stand alone terrible scene--when we suddenly cut to England and dive into a short expository scene that sticks out like a sore thumb). The fight scenes in the ring deserve more than an Oscar nod. You've got long takes with moving camera, a general resistance to too much shot reverse-shot and expository dialogue (save for that one scene).
The score is a bit heavy handed at times, but other times it lifts up the film perfectly.
This film finds new and innovative ways to set up the back story and introduce certain characters. There are also these delightful aesthetic flourishes that really work well--slow motion and such. This film is very visceral.
Michael B Jordan deserves a career of legends. He's THE SHIT. Denzel is probably really scared AND really excited at the same time. Even Jordan's sweat is acting it's face off here. What an incredible tour-de-force performance. Exhilarating. Breath taking.
And, Stallone? Well, you can't go wrong. It's perfection.
While you're at it, take some time to catch Jordan in director Ryan Coogler's Fruitvale Station because it is absolutely stellar!
This one is a pure 5/5. Do it. I cried 9 times.