After the success of Rocky in 1976, Sylvester Stallone went from a nobody to becoming a household name. The success of the first film led to a series of sequels that ranged from good to cartoonish to dull. While some were better than others, none of them managed to recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle feeling of the first film. Stallone eventually returned to the franchise’s roots with Rocky Balboa in 2006, but for him, that was the end. That is, until a newcomer named Ryan Coogler emerged on the scene with his feature film debut, 2013’s Fruitvale Station. After that film became a critical darling, Coogler approached Stallone with continuing the franchise with a spinoff film. While initially reluctant, Stallone agreed to reprise his role, but as more of a mentor figure than a fighter. With Coogler’s actor friend Michael B. Jordan in the lead role, that spinoff would become Creed.
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In 1998, young Adonis “Donnie” Johnson (Alex Henderson) is serving time in a youth detention center for his violent nature. One day, he’s visited by Mary Anne Creed (Phylicia Rashad), who reveals that he’s the son of boxer Apollo Creed. She takes him in, despite not being his true mother, and we soon cut to 15 years later. Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) quits his job at a financial company to pursue a career in boxing like his father. After being turned down by the Delphi Boxing Academy, Adonis goes to Philadelphia in search of Rocky Balboa. While initially reluctant because of past experiences, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) finally agrees to train him and get him some fights. While Adonis finds a girlfriend in singer/songwriter Bianca (Tessa Thompson), he feels like he’s living in his father’s shadow. Despite some setbacks, Adonis works to make a name and a legacy for himself.
Like most audiences at the time, I was initially skeptical about the idea of a Rocky spin-off about Apollo’s son. With how Rocky Balboa perfectly finished off the series, I didn’t think there was any story left to tell. However, after seeing Creed, I can definitely say that I was proven wrong and amazingly surprised by what I saw. Not only does this work as a standalone film, but it also honors what came before it, good and bad. Not only does Rocky training Creed’s son bring everything full circle, but it helps continue Rocky’s story well after retirement. It helps that this movie has some fantastic performances, especially from veteran Sylvester Stallone and newcomer Michael B. Jordan. The two have fantastic chemistry and have a great relationship that transcends just a simple trainer-trainee relationship. Rocky is almost like the father figure Adonis never had before.
Also, Ryan Coogler’s direction is fantastic, as he gives the film a real gritty and urban vibe to it. When it comes to the boxing scenes, they are shot as if they were done by a seasoned veteran. You feel all the blows, punches, and hits that the fighters take, and you’re constantly on edge all throughout. Of course, a Rocky movie wouldn’t be complete without the more human element, and that’s where Creed shines. Adonis and Bianca’s relationship is really sweet, almost parallel to Rocky and Adrian’s relationship in the first film. This is a true underdog story, through and through, as you really feel for Adonis and want him to succeed. Admittedly, the movie does borrow perhaps a bit too much from the original film, but they still do it well. Overall, while not fully capturing the magic of the first film, Creed is still a worthy successor.
