CREED (2015)

Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) grew up fighting.  The illegitimate son of boxing legend Apollo Creed, who died before he was even born, Adonis also lost his mother at a young age, and learned to fight coming up via a series of foster homes and juvenile detention centers, until taken in by Apollo's widow and ultimately living a life of privilege in Los Angeles.  He grows up a good man yet still a fighter at heart; so much so, Adonis travels cross-country to Philadelphia to seek out former champion Rocky Balboa (an incredibly moving Sylvester Stallone), his father's friend and most stalwart opponent, to help him channel his anger into making him a first-class boxer in his own right.  Feeling a bit like an update of the original Rocky, Creed takes the similar, essential story, and gives it a fresh spin through the eyes of a complex young man battling demons both in an out of the ring.  An emotional, rousing film whose last ten minutes will have you on the edge of your seat, and make your spirits soar. (rated PG-13)  A