WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Reconciliation of the past. When the repercussions from previously experienced events continue to shadow us, they drive us to either face them or attempt to bury them deep within ourselves so as to avoid potential consequence or complications they may cause. In those moments of choice, it becomes necessary to determine whether we utilize what we learn to bring us down or to stand up and battle for what and who we are. Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) has always been a fighter, mostly for ill, landing him in trouble countless times. But after being taken from juvenile detention in childhood by his mother, Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashad), he learned a life-altering truth–he is the son of Apollo Creed.
Desiring to follow in his father’s footsteps but make his own identity while also resisting taking the Creed name, Adonis seeks out former champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) to officially train him. Having settled down is his later years, Rocky is hesitant to return to the world where, despite his winnings, he’s lost so much more in and out of the ring. But Adonis’ persistence and heart to compete persuades the elder boxer, and soon, the former champ has his new protégé. But it is a hard road ahead, as Adonis’ past demons and a new foe, current champion “Pretty” Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew), threaten to erode the young man’s confidence and disrupt the new relationships close to him.
However, when Rocky suffers an unforeseen setback, it is up to Adonis to make the choice not just become a better fighter, but to be the catalyst for his mentor to stand firm once more in the face of adversity.
Next, my Mind:
Right from the start, this reviewer freely admits having no initial interest in seeing “Creed”, only in that after the true disappointment of “Rocky V”, it felt like a bigger insult to suddenly try and resurrect the character again 25 years later. But, credit truly must be given to Writer/Director Ryan Coogler for delivering an unexpectedly fresh take on the themes and character which made the original “Rocky” such a classic. By introducing the younger, cockier fighter in Adonis, it allows for Rocky’s role in being mentor and father figure to shine through much more than if the narrative had been focused on him alone. The film is a well-paced, dramatic, character-driven, effort, giving the viewer much better opportunity to get invested in everyone involved.
Jordan is, quite frankly, fantastic as Adonis, able to provide us with such a passionate, driven, hard-charging, but initially reckless protagonist who’s desperate not to be associated with his father’s namesake, yet knows he cannot escape it. And watching Jordan take the character through his paces, both physically and emotionally, carries a lot of genuine, heart-felt weight. Likewise, Stallone really pulls it off once more in playing his iconic persona Balboa, but this time being allowed to show hesitation in ever wanting to be back in the boxing world, much less then having to encounter and accept his sudden illness. But there’s no denying seeing Rocky now being that force of encouragement to a new generation fighter is inspiring.
The fight and training sequences are intense, the supporting cast including Tessa Thompson’s Bianca, Creed’s love interest, and Bellew’s menacing, arrogant Conlan all fit together to form what ultimately becomes a solid tale of fighting, fortitude, facing the past, embracing the present, establishing a future, and taking on a storied legacy.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
