Creed Review

    I was apprehensive about watching this one. The feeling was why exactly do they want to continue the Rocky franchise. Everything wrapped up in Rocky Balboa, by having the character wave goodbye in front of the crowd. With most things, I eventually sucked it up and went in with an open mind. Creed is one of the best sports dramas that I have ever seen and the perfect example of the passing of the torch. As always SPOILERS will appear in the review.

    One of the things that this movie does so well in comparison with the first Rocky is by being its own thing. When you watch Rocky, the music opens with a triumphant fanfare. Watching the first opening minutes in Creed is very somber. Having it start in a juvenile detention center lays out who Adonis is. From there, the title appears with scratch marks giving a very edge and setting the tone for the film. Much like Rocky, there are instrumental moments that mirror the first film.

    Adonis Creed is a complex character. We see him box in a Mexican arena to build up his credentials. Though, when he starts to commit to boxing, he goes to a gym bearing his late Dad’s name and gets turned away. Eventually, the manager lets him fight the up and coming boxers and inevitably gets knocked down. He decides to go to Philadelphia but his mother attempts to stop him by reminding him what happened to his father Apollo. It really is endearing that the new entry tells the audience what happened without having the need to watch the prior films.

    As Adonis arrives in Philadelphia, he meets with Rocky as he is about to close his restaurant for the night. Him and Adonis bond when the young Creed sees the photos of his Dad and Balboa fighting. I really love that Stallone’s character is the new Mickey. In the first three films, Mickey was a bitter has-been fighter who becomes Rocky’s manager. Rocky is still the humble character in the past. Training Creed with a few teachings that he learned and one that Mickey used for Rocky. Ultimately, being a surrogate father to Adonis. 

    Meanwhile, Adonis meets the only girl in his small apartment. Bianca played by Tessa Thompson. She is musician who has a debilitating hearing issue. She and Adonis have great chemistry that is reminiscent of Rocky and Adrian. Albeit Bianca does not have an abusive relative living with her. I really love that there are scenes that are dedicated to building their relationship such as them eating out and both visiting each other seeing their talent put up for everyone to see.

    From there, we are introduced to the main opponent of the movie, Ricky Conlan played by real life boxer Anthony Bellew. His situation is simple since he has one more fight to achieve before sent to jail. As situations that happens in all movies, his original opponent is unavailable due to a news conference fight. Creed decides to fight him and goes to visit the gym where Rocky trained. I find it interesting where in the places where Rocky and Apollo trained, Adonis gets turned away or decides to forge his own path with Rocky.

    Now is probably the time I talked about the fight in Philadelphia. I love that it’s a long take. Meaning that the camera does not cut to another shot from another angle but keeps rolling. It makes the fight more visceral. It’s a recurring motif from director Ryan Coogler and his cinematographer. The long takes make it unique, while it’s not noticeable a first time, the fight uses it perfectly. While the camera captures the fight, the breaks when Rocky talks to Adonis makes it more exciting.

    While Creed takes its newer road to differentiate itself, it falls on the formula that makes the Rocky series endearing. Up until Rocky 2, the series entered a formula that makes each series feel the same. For instance, a fighter appears and Rocky or Creed fight. A medical problem occurs.

    Just this once, watching Rocky dealing with cancer is the most saddest thing I have seen. It has been teased since he mentioned not sleeping well when he visits the graves of Adrian and Paulie.

    Continuing from the complaint I have with the film. It gets repetitive when Creed feels intimidated that he needs to establish who he is. Foregoing his last name to be someone else. It gets repetitive since its echoed throughout the whole movie.

    It wouldn’t be film connected to the Rocky series to not have a training session montage. It’s the best I have seen and one where it makes me want to work out and contribute to society. The final fight with Conlan feels like an exorcism with Adonis. As he dons his father’s boxing brief, there is a shot where we see his assumed last name Johnson then move to the mirror where the fighter sees his real name on the front. The match is intense with every punch sounding realistic and on your seat thrilling. While, Adonis doesn’t win, it’s not really about it. Most of the Rocky films pride on the idea of going the distance with winning not being important. It’s what makes the series endearing and standout amongst the litter of boxing movies.

    Creed, like the fighter Rocky had an insurmountable odd of continuing the franchise by reinvigorating it with a new cast and direction. New director Ryan Coogler managed to tell a story that feels like a passing of the torch among boxers. The complaints feel moot when thinking more of just how enjoyable the film is. It sold me on more stories focusing on Adonis exploits and growth as a man and a boxer.

Creed gets a four out of five.