Directed by Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station), starring Michael B. Jordan (also Fruitvale Station and that AWFUL Fantastic 4 reboot, we shall not talk about that) and Sylvester Stallone (of Rocky fame...).
Creed is the story of how Adonis Johnson – son of Rocky’s friend and opponent Apollo Creed, goes to Philly to ask boxing legend Rocky Balboa to train him.
Creed is essentially a sixth Rocky film, but it is so much more than just another Rocky film. It’s an emotional and physical journey of Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) becoming a man and accepting his past, accepting the name Creed after years of denial and pain; denial that he has a father - let alone that his father is a boxing legend. The pain of never knowing what it would be like to have a father.
It’s also the journey of Rocky allowing someone back into his life after the deaths of so many loved ones; his wife, his trainer and his friend – aforementioned Apollo Creed. He feels truly alone when we reach him at the beginning of Creed. Sylvester Stallone puts in a stellar performance of man who is basically waiting for death, so he can join them. It is the best performance I have seen from Stallone in years, perhaps since Rocky IV.
The bond that forms between these two characters is honest; yes, it may be your typical father/son bond that happens a lot in these types of films, but the performances from both of these actors make it believable. You are invested in this bond, you want them to make it through their emotional barriers and being abel to have the other - as a foundation, an anchor in this world.
It is shot magnificently – with Adonis’ first professional fight, being shot in just one shot – it truly captures the intensity of the moment, captures the effort and skill of each punch thrown or blocked. The shots of Philly are both a throwback to the glorious days of Rocky, but also they bring it to the now – with the kids riding out on their bikes and quads, the music scene showing how times and style have changed – it brings the Rocky franchise to the kids of our generation, encourages them to enjoy and love it and their fathers did with the original series.
Creed is so much more than your typical sports film. It is more than your typical underdog story. YEs, it is both of these things, but it is also a thrilling, emotional journey, a spectacle - just like the sport it is about.
It’s also the journey of Rocky allowing someone back into his life after the deaths of so many loved ones; his wife, his trainer and his friend – aforementioned Apollo Creed. He feels truly alone when we reach him at the beginning of Creed. Sylvester Stallone puts in a stellar performance of man who is basically waiting for death, so he can join them. It is the best performance I have seen from Stallone in years, perhaps since Rocky IV.
The bond that forms between these two characters is honest; yes, it may be your typical father/son bond that happens a lot in these types of films, but the performances from both of these actors make it believable. You are invested in this bond, you want them to make it through their emotional barriers and being abel to have the other - as a foundation, an anchor in this world.
Creed is so much more than your typical sports film. It is more than your typical underdog story. YEs, it is both of these things, but it is also a thrilling, emotional journey, a spectacle - just like the sport it is about.
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