Director: Ryan Coogler
Writer: Aaron Covington
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad
In Creed, Adonis got a rough start in life. He spent years in the foster care system fighting for survival after the death of his only parent. The loss of his mother prompts Mary Ann (Rashad) to come into his life and offer him a home. As if the loss of his mother wasn’t enough, Adonis’ discovers his birth was the result of adultery and his savior is his dead father’s widow. He may have never met his father but the entire world knows him. Adonis is the son of a legend, boxing champion Apollo Creed. As a young man Adonis spent most of his life fighting for survival, as an adult he fights for forgiveness and the chance to come out from under this stranger’s shadow to face the world as his own man.
Rocky fans rejoice, this film reunites many of us with the Italian Stallion, Rocky Balboa one of cinemas greatest heroes. The film also introduces a younger generation to a phenomenal story of triumph and perseverance. Though Adonis is a new character with his own issues the story follows the tried and true sports film formula. Every sports movie cliche is presented from the training montage to the big fight that prompts the rigorous training. Having Stallone reprise his role as Rocky Balboa was genius. He is captivating as an aging super star trying desperately to live a quiet life away from the limelight. His understanding of the boxing world and experience in the ring has made him weary and reluctant to help the young Adonis. Unfortunately for Rocky, Adonis has his father’s charm and he finds himself abandoning his quiet life and trying desperately to help this young man much like the late great Apollo had helped him. Some of the best moments in the film are simply watching Balboa and Jr. Creed bond. There is a father son chemistry between the two that is magical on screen. From the beginning you become engrossed in the film. For us it was like reliving the rocky Saga and catching up with a dear old friend. If you haven’t seen any of the earlier films this one will prompt you to search for it on Netflix. It is gritty and heartfelt with a solid story and good acting. The movie provides all the familiar comforts of its more famous predecessors but it stands lone as a new and interesting story fusing old with new seamlessly.