Creed:
AKA Rocky VII
Sometimes you need a change of pace to really make you feel good about yourself. Some turn to romance movies, some to comedies, and others turn to Hallmark for reasons that science cannot fully explain. Personally, I love a good sports movie from time to time. These films are stories of underdogs pushing their way to the top, if not humbly falling at the last moment while still winning the respect of those around them. They’re a great release for anyone feeling as though they’re being crushed by the world and never going to get a chance to rise once more. Remember the Titans, The Karate Kid, and A League of Their Own all stand as examples of how these films can take you on an emotional journey, rooting for the protagonists as they show the world their potential. But arguably the best, as well as most influential, of these films is that of Rocky. The titular Italian Stallion has created a (mostly) strong series which, after a 16 year hiatus, has returned with a vengeance. With a resurgence in 2006 through the impressive Rocky Balboa, the Rocky franchise is far from done.
Today, we take a look at the newest step in the franchise and an unexpected change of pace for it. No longer is Rocky the main focus as lens of the film shifts towards a younger hero in Creed. Adonis, the illegitimate son of legendary boxer Apollo Creed, takes center stage as he struggles to make a name of his own in the ring. Led by the talented and charismatic Michael B. Jordan and directed by Fruitvale Station’s Ryan Coogler, this film seemed like an easy win. Of course, having all the right ingredients means nothing if everything isn’t balanced just right. So did Creed build on what Rocky Balboa re-established or did it merely try to live off the reputation of its franchise?
Starting this film, I expected Creed to be a sort of rehash of the underdog story. I expected a spoiled brat finding himself stripped of honor and working back up to glory. What I got instead was a parallel to the original Rocky without feeling copied. Adonis Johnson lives in the lap of luxury, having been adopted by the widowed wife of his father, Rocky’s rival and friend, Apollo Creed. Despite this, he feels a drive to fight and seeks a life in the ring made purely of his own merit. Leaving behind his money and his cushy job, Adonis moves to Philadelphia to start anew and find his own path in the boxing ring. The plot is a fresh take on the old formula, adding to it with complex relationships and interesting character histories. There are a few moments in the film that feel a bit forced, especially one twist towards the middle of the second act. Even so, a day is enough to forget these flaws and, instead, focus on the great. And when looking for what makes this film great, the characters are certainly front-and-center. Adonis, portrayed by the charming Michael B. Jordan, is given so much character within his first few scenes. He’s headstrong, driven, prideful, and caring. Every moment he’s on-screen, you just can’t help but root for things to turn out alright. Early on in the film, there’s a scene in which Adonis is playing tough and challenging an entire gym to fight out of pride and desperation. In this moment, the character comes as close to unlikable as he ever will. When a truly intimidating challenger steps up, Adonis’ headstrong attitude is forgotten and you genuinely feel a pit in your stomach. The poor man is going to be crushed and you don’t want it, despite how he acted mere moments ago. However, one man cannot carry a film. Love interest Bianca, played by Tessa Thompson, is a character who goes from mysterious to incredibly likable in only a few scenes. Her performance is incredibly human, full of grounded hopes and dreams without ever seeming overly-dramatic. Thompson is a perfect match for Jordan, both commanding the screen with their engaging personalities and bouncing off one another. And then, of course, there’s the old Stallion himself, Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky. You want a grizzled old man? Call Stallone, the man who’s been able to play a grumpy old-timer since he was in his 30’s. Rocky may have aged more than a little, but the man can still make you laugh and make you hurt with absolutely no effort. Stallone’s wittiness, Thompson’s humanity, and Jordan’s charisma all add up to a powerful ensemble that any director would be lucky to work with. The film, overall, is something that can be masterful in the hands of the right director.
When I talk about style, I all-too-frequently forget to attribute this element to the proper creator. You see, directors are, more often than not, responsible for the stylistic elements of a film. They work with cinematographers and editors to make sure every frame adheres to a vision, looking pristine and fresh. The work of Ryan Coogler, directing for the second time after Fruitvale Station (Also starring Michael B. Jordan), shines in Creed. Subtle and vivid coloration interlaces with more muted fight scenes in a manner that makes the fights and personal life feel completely different. The camerawork is tight and stable when outside of the ring, giving a feeling of intimacy as we learn about these characters further. Yet inside of the ring, the shots become wide and have a light shake, making the audience feel the rush of being a spectator to the brutal world of boxing. It’s a contrast that works incredibly well, the two states of being feeling completely unique yet flowing into one another incredibly well. Oftentimes in sports movies, you either want to see more of the personal life or more of the games. In this film, the balance is wonderful and leaves a strong impression. And, of course, the effects are amazing. You feel every punch, especially when slowed down, and wince at every fall by either opponent. There’s one scene where a badly beaten Adonis sits down between rounds to recover and his face is almost grotesque. I believed that this man had just taken some heavy hits to the face. This lack of desire to keep Jordan looking good shows the commitment to portraying boxing realistically, making Jordan’s performance feel all the more grounded and making Coogler’s direction all the more amazing. The style of this film is something worth raving about, definitely living up to the reputation of the franchise.
I’m ashamed of what I have to say in this next sentence: I was absolutely surprised by how great the sound of this film was. Of course, I expected the boxing scenes to be full of quiet moments of retrospect and the street scenes to be filled with lively city noises. That was no surprise and it was approached well. What I had low expectations for, however, was the music. Sports films are full of that horn-driven glory music that has become utterly clichéd by now. I always hope for something fresh and ambitious when looking at music, wanting the style to be something I can watch with my grandkids one day and not feel dated yet still stand out. The horns are still here, just as I expected. What I didn’t expect from this film was the boldness to integrate elements of modern music into that glory music. Hip-hop beats and slight touches of updated singing styles mix gloriously with the clichéd, really bringing a sense of awe that hits harder than it has any right to. Granted, there’s nothing as iconic as Eye of the Tiger or Gonna Fly Now within the film. However, the stylistic additions are an excellent change of pace in music for a film genre so stuck in traditions.
So, how worthy of a re-watch is Creed? Well, I’d say it’s due a second and third viewing. It’s interesting to see how naturally events flow, character relationships blooming over several scenes instead of being bonded within a first meeting. The film is worth reviewing if only to understand how these relationships blossom and how the pacing is approached. Additionally, it’s worth getting a deeper analysis on the characters and their mental states. Rocky is an old man set in his ways, but he also is far from unbreakable. I’d love to take another look at this film to contrast it to the bullheaded young bum in the first film. Additionally, there’s a lot to Bianca that may be missed during a first viewing. She may seem merely odd at first, but there’s certainly more to her than meets the eye. A second viewing can add a lot to the audience’s understanding of early character motivations, especially with a character like that of Bianca. But beyond this, Creed is definitely one of those movies you should watch on a bad day to cheer you up. If only for how uplifting it is and how the characters are immediately like that of old friends, it’s definitely a film to come back to.
Creed is an example of a franchise entry that takes what worked in the first film and questions how a completely different outlook would alter the events within. The plot is interesting, the characters are incredibly engaging, the style is masterful, the sound is fantastic, and it’s most decidedly worth a second viewing. Despite a few moments in the plot that could have been left on the cutting room floor, this is a film I encourage you to take a look at. This is a fantastic film that I highly recommend. I honestly think it will be one of those classic sports films with time, letting generations enjoy the story of a man who refused luxury in favor of creating a legacy. Happy viewing.