Sylvester Stallone reprises his most iconic role as an ageing Rocky Balboa, and we are introduced to a young Adonis Johnson, played by Michael B. Jordan. Adonis is the illegitimate son of Rocky’s opponent and dear friend, Apollo Creed.

Adonis is a troubled youngster, born after Creed’s death, and as a child he seems to bounce between foster care and juvenile detention until Apollo’s widow, Mary Anne (played by The Cosby Show’s Phylicia Rashad) steps in to raise him as her own. Despite her best efforts to keep him away from the boxing ring, Adonis leaves L.A. to find Rocky in Philadelphia, and ask him to be his trainer.

Ryan Coogler and Aaron Covington deliver a smart script, with great direction from Coogler and brilliant cinematography from Maryse Alberti.

Worth watching, it gets a Reel Queen knock-out

8/10.