Not too many Oscar winning films have gone through as many highs and lows as the Rocky franchise. Rocky became the very definition of the underdog story. Proving that winning a fight isn’t what defines who you are rather it’s the human spirit, drive and persistence one needs in order to survive the battle we face everyday in the ring of life that does. There’s a reason why films like The Karate Kid and Rudywere often referred to as Rocky-like in their theme. This is why they became popular too and why every sports arena, ballpark or fields across America play scenes to get the home team crowd going. Now, six films and nearly 40 years later, the film Creed brings new life into a saga that was sorely missed. Warning, spoilers ahead…
Creed tells the story of Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) a troubled young man who turns out to be legendary boxer Apollo Creed’s son. As you may recall, Apollo died in the ring in Rocky 4 so Adonis never got a chance to meet let alone know his father. And yet the burden of the name looms large. Adonis is smart but with a vicious temper that has landed him from juvenile detention to a night in prison. He’s a fighter, it’s in his blood. But can he become a boxer?
Adonis travels to Philadelphia to find his father’s greatest rival, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). If he’s going to go from being a fighter to a boxer, he needs to be trained and who better than the man who best his father. The problem is, Rocky isn’t interested. After losing his wife Adrian and his brother in law Paulie, Rocky whose health is in decline, is content with the life he has. But Adonis doesn’t take no for an answer and becomes quite persistent. This persistence pays off. Rocky sees in him all the qualities that made Apollo a true champion.
At the start of their training session, Rocky offers Adonis his first and what will turn out to be his most important lesson. As Adonis was looking in the mirror, Rocky makes the statement that ‘your toughest opponent is the one staring back at you’. It’s true for the ring and in life. These were simple yet powerful words that would define the film as a whole.
Creed mirrors the original film in almost every way. A reigning heavyweight champion looking for a payday after a scheduled fight gets scraped seeks a new challenger that he can beat. The son of Apollo Creed is the perfect target. Lots of this sounds all too familiar and yet I didn’t mind one bit. While they do parallel each other, Creed does find its own voice and own identity.
I’ve always been impressed by the acting talents of Michael B. Jordan. More often than not he is the best part of any of his films including the bad ones. As for Stallone, he was excellent. Yes, he knows the character and it isn’t much of a stretch when you’ve played the role seven times. But there was something very special this time around and don’t be too surprised come Oscar time that Stallone gets a much deserved nod.
At the heart of Creed is family and forgiveness. Along the way, both men discover how much they need the other. They discover that family isn’t defined by the blood the runs through your veins or the color of your skin. Creed is so much like the original. And as Stallone has gotten older, you get a sense that the baton and legacy of Rocky Balboa will live on through Creed. Creed like his predecessor before is gonna fly now.
PG13
132 Min
Directed by: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, and Anthony Bellew
CREED – **** (Out of 5 stars)
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
