Creed (Rated T)
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson
Genre: Sports Drama
Dwight's Rating: 3.5 Stars

If he keeps this up, soon Michael B. Jordan may be just as famous, if not more, than that other MJ.
The 28-year old actor is developing a reputation as one of the hottest young talents around. He most recently earned rave reviews for 2013's "Fruitvale Station", the powerful based-on-a-true-story drama about the events leading to the death of Oscar Grant at the hands of police while on a train in Oakland.

With the new film "Creed", Jordan is reunited with "Fruitvale Station" screenwriter and director Ryan Coogler. Together they've accomplished the nearly unthinkable: the revitalization of "Rocky" -- the four-decade old boxing movie franchise.
Over its first 30 years, that series experienced both spectacular highs, through critical and commercial success, and spectacular lows, through some cartoonish, or worse-yet, Wrestlemania-like storyline developments.

After six installments, most recently with "Rocky Balboa" in 2006, many had thought this franchise had floated-like-a-butterfly to the big boxing ring in the sky. But here we are, one year shy of the original's 40th anniversary, with a spin-off proving the series still has strong legs.

Jordan's intoxicating blend of sensitivity and machismo in the title role is the key factor to the film's success. He plays Adonis Johnson, who never knew his famous father, boxing champion Apollo Creed -- Rocky's great rival and friend. Apollo died before Adonis was born. However, boxing is in Adonis' blood, so he seeks out Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) and asks the retired champ to be his trainer.

Rocky sees much of Apollo in Adonis, and agrees to mentor him. With Rocky's help, Adonis soon gets a title shot, but whether he has the true heart of a fighter remains to be seen. It is amazing how movies about boxing are still so resilient. Neither Hollywood nor audiences seem to tire of this genre, which are almost always crowd-pleasers and quite often, big award winners.

The award trend has held for nearly a century, going as far back as the tearjerker "The Champ" in 1931, which was nominated for Best Picture, and won its star Wallace Beery an Oscar for Best Actor. The exceptionally well-regarded "Raging Bull" won Robert De Niro an Oscar in 1980. "Million Dollar Baby" won awards for nearly everyone: Best Actress Hilary Swank, Supporting Actor Morgan Freeman, Director Clint Eastwood, and overall Best Picture. Eastwood probably would have won Best Actor too, had it not been for Jamie Foxx with "Ray" that same year.

Will Smith and Jon Voight were nominated for "Ali" in 2001. And, most recently, "The Fighter" in 2010, in addition to its Best Picture nomination, won Oscars for unforgettable supporting performances from both Christian Bale and Melissa Leo.
Of course, big daddy "Rocky" won three Oscars in 1976 for Best Picture, Director, and film editing. Sylvester Stallone -- who wrote "Rocky", and all six movies in the film series -- was nominated for Best Actor (ultimately losing to "Network" star Peter Finch, who won posthumously.)

Look for "Creed" to continue the tradition, and to receive some love come award season. Jordan, no doubt, deserves recognition for his dynamic and physically grueling performance. But expect to hear Stallone's name called in the Supporting Actor category, as well. And he stands a pretty good chance of winning a few this time around with a subtle but strong and touching showing as the now aged and fragile former pugilist.

The film, overall, is simple enough, and does not break much ground in its tale of the underdog, being quite typical of many sports dramas or musician biographies. You know the stories well -- a young man struggling to come to terms with his difficult childhood or upbringing -- big chip on the shoulder with lots to prove to the world, falling in love with the supportive girlfriend who grounds him to reality etc. But again, it's the performances from Jordan and Stallone, and from Tessa Thompson ("For Colored Girls") - as the aforementioned supportive girlfriend -- that elevate "Creed" to something very special.

Pointing out some of the flaws seems like nitpicking. But even at 133 minutes, sometimes it feels like it's moving a tad bit fast. Through some of the more touching moments... I would have appreciated a bit of silence here or there -- a pause to reflect on the poignancy of the scene; "the Clint Eastwood touch", shall we say?

Also, anyone who watches boxing knows the most successful boxers these days are doing their best to avoid getting hit -- just ask Floyd Mayweather Jr. Today's boxing matches feature as much ring running and dancing as long-distance races or "Dancing with the Stars". But alas, a Mayweather fight scene would probably make for one very dull movie, as anyone who's spent good money to watch one of his fights will tell you. And so, especially with the championship match at the end, we get a big, loud, bloody, brutal slugfest, resembling more of an MMA fight that contemporary boxing.

Try not to squirm or shriek at the scenes of blood splattering or being mopped up, or the eyes swollen shut. Beyond that though, you don't have to be a fan of boxing to enjoy "Creed". And if you don't like boxing, that is absolutely no reason not to see the movie. The boxing matches are a comparatively tiny part of the whole thing. It's much more about dealing with interpersonal relationships and conflicts, with boxing serving as a metaphor for some of the struggles.

So, see "Creed" because Sylvester Stallone hasn't been this good in years. And most of all -- see "Creed" because of Michael B. Jordan. Be there to witness this true star turn, and to imagine the great things yet to come. And see why that other MJ may soon be the one who needs to use his middle initial to differentiate himself from this star of the future.

o Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of " Morning Blend" on Guardian Radio. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian