The highly anticipated "Rocky" spin-off has finally made its way to theaters this week, but is the film even worthy of the title?

Hollywood has made a bad name of producing sequels or spin-offs to classic movie franchises from decades ago, but every once in a while they come out with a gem. The film features "Rocky" star Sylvester Stallone back in his signature role, as he trains Adonis Johnson, the son of his friend and former rival, Apollo Creed.

"Creed" has so far been heralded as not only a classic boxing film, but one of the best in the long-running series. Directed by American director and screen writer, Ryan Coogler, here's what the critics have to say:

The Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Times praises the film's ability to be its own while being totally reminiscent of a "Rocky" film.

"When it finally comes down to what happens in the ring, 'Creed' knows what it's doing. Director of photography Maryse Alberti ('The Wrestler') is expert at bringing the action alive, even photographing one fight in a single, two-minute Steadicam shot, and real-life ring habitués such as Ricardo 'Padman' McGill and Jacob 'Stitch' Duran add an air of authenticity to Adonis' entourage."

Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone gives a standing ovation to Stallone's performance amongst all the other actors.

"So irresistible is Stallone's blend of tough and tender that Oscar should give him points. You heard me. Yo, Academy!"

New York Times

New York Times highly anticipates the sequel to this heart-pumping feature.

"The punches fly, the music soars (hip-hop along with Ludwig Goransson's variations on the old Bill Conti brass) and the ground is prepared for 'Creed II.' We'll see how that goes. But for now it is sweet to have this lesson in the importance of fast footwork, brute power and brotherly love."

Vulture

Vulture highlighted the storytelling of "Creed" and how it does away with a lot of conventional norms.

"Creed represents a kind of Hollywood fantasy that doesn't have to be specious, focusing on pride, determination, self-control, hard work, and forging one's own identity. Movies don't always have to be 'how things are.' When they're as warm and rousing as Creed, they can be 'how we want to make things.'"