Creed
Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) never knew his famous father, boxing champion Apollo Creed, who died before Adonis was born. However, boxing is in his blood, so he seeks out Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and asks the retired champ to be his trainer. Rocky sees much of Apollo in Adonis, and agrees to mentor him, even as he battles an opponent deadlier than any in the ring. With Rocky's help, Adonis soon gets a title shot, but whether he has the true heart of a fighter remains to be seen.
Creed is a peripheral of the Rocky saga, where we discover that the late Apollo Creed had an illegitimate son, Adonis, a troubled boy already lost in the system, fighting his way through life. Upon learning of her late husband’s secret son, Apollo’s widow, Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashad), tracks the boy down and springs him from lockup, offering him a comfortable life in the shadow of his father’s legacy and wealth. |
Creed Trailer
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Creed Official Trailer 1
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Creed Posters And Photos
Creed Review
Creed is a film that from the trailers can be looked at as a continuation of the Rocky franchise, but it is actually more of a 'Rebirth' for the franchise and a passing of the baton in some essence. It is definitely not a 'Rocky movie and stands on its own and the main focus of the film is Adonis Creed. Of course, being in the same universe and featuring the series' main protagonist does lead to many callbacks to the other Rocky films. The main focus of this film was the journey of Adonis Creed and his rise to hopefully live up to the legacy set by his father with help from Rocky Balboa himself. The story, this journey was incredible to see.
On its own volition, Creed boxing sequences in are explosive and exciting, with the boxing physicality deftly choreographed between performers and camera operators to preserve that over-the-shoulder intimacy. Coogler also throws much personal flare into the obligatory sequences of sports training and combat, with some nice slow-motion moments, gorgeous inner city tracking shots, or whirlwind angle reversals between fighters in the ring that play with both sides of POV to really flesh out the boxing experience in three-dimensions. Even better is the sense of authenticity in the script, which captures a modern urban edge and a lot of idiosyncratic moments that scream truth of experience over “truth” of cinematic construction. Creed also subtly plants a flag for the Millennial generation – seen especially through the romantic subplot between Adonis and “Trip hop” singer Bianca (Tessa Thompson), which nails the attitudes and views of Millennials without making that examination a major distraction. In fact, it is only the presence of Rocky that shines a light on how different (and not so different, ultimately) this new generation is when it comes to the American underdog myth – but that juxtaposition is done wonderfully, so that Coogler honors the past that shaped him, while still not being afraid to offer his own voice on the subject.
Performance-wise, Creed is held together by a tight central trio that work together as a great ensemble. Michael B. Jordan (The Wire, Fruitvale Station) continues to prove himself as a highly capable leading man (we’ll forget Fantastic Four). Jordan uses his proven acting ability to give Adonis plenty of outward fire, but also a deep well of subtext and muted vulnerability, which is conveyed through his hard stare and the animalistic physicality he displays in and out of the ring. Though slightly less charismatic than Rocky in his first film (by design, more than performance), Adonis Creed ultimately emerges as an interesting and layered enough character to carry on his own franchise. Having Rocky Balboa in the film and being a mentor and coach for Adonis was a really great aspect of the film that worked in every way. This could have easily been a very forced element where they just threw Rocky in a few scenes occasionally to make sure people know "Hey come see this film because...... Rocky". But he really was an integral part of the film and contributed to the plot, bought a slight tad of humour to lighten the mood occasionally and also really emphasis the emotional weight of some of the films key moments. When more serious subject matter like Rocky’s failing health arises, Stallone shifts into a powerful and deftly controlled dramatic performance that shows him “going the distance” in a much different way. In the end, Creed offers a slightly conflicted mix of old and new flavors that are willed into a cohesive whole by a talented and insightful director. It is a great underdog sports drama featuring subjects who are seldom offered such spotlight in the sub-genre (young urban men of color), and manages to tell its story without letting some of the more serious themes (race, age, disease) overpower its focus. It is a rousing crowd-pleaser that’s clearly more qualified than the job it’s doing – but happily does its job, nonetheless. The Rocky legacy is alive and thriving in Creed. Bring on the rematch. 8.5/10 |
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