Score: 5/5
Almost 40 years after “Rocky,” Ryan Coogler has recaptured the underdog magic of that film with newcomer “Creed.”
“Creed,” which Coogler wrote and directed, centers on Adonis Johnson, played by Michael B. Jordan, a troubled young man who happens to be the son of Apollo Creed, famous boxing champion and confidant of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa, who died in the ring before Adonis was born.
As Adonis tries to mold himself into a fighter, he seeks help from Balboa, and the two embark on an emotional journey. Tessa Thompson and Phylicia Rashad also star.
This is no tired, cliched sports film. “Creed” is thrilling and hits in just the right spots, making it one of the best movies of 2015.
After teaming up for Coogler’s debut, the powerful, critically-acclaimed “Fruitvale Station,” Jordan and Coogler reunite with “Creed,” and the two prove to be an impressive duo.
Coogler has masterfully written and directed the film, and Jordan is fantastic, holding his own with Stallone, who in “Creed” gives his best performance in years. Don’t be surprised if the performances and the film itself garner awards buzz.
Jordan and Stallone have palpable chemistry onscreen, which is critical to the film, as it rests on the strength of that core relationship. The most palpable aspect of “Creed,” unsurprising to “Rocky” fans, is the city of Philadelphia.
The city is a huge part of the “Rocky” franchise, and in “Creed,” Philadelphia is a living, breathing character — a gritty and perfect backdrop for this story.
Tessa Thompson turns in a wonderfully nuanced performance as Bianca, Adonis’ love interest. Refreshingly, she is much more than a typical love interest. She is a fascinating character with her own motivations, and not just the girlfriend. She and Jordan have great chemistry, and the two characters provide the audience with relationship goals.
Romantic subplots often cause movies to drag on, particularly when executed poorly. Rarely has there been a romance as well-written as the one in “Creed.”
The film manages to be modern but not overly so, giving it a timeless feel. “Creed” strikes a flawless balance between being a standalone and paying its dues to other “Rocky” films. It’s full of callbacks to the original “Rocky” with familiar faces and songs.
Like the original film, “Creed” has a tremendous score and a soundtrack worth owning. Each song plays at just the right moment to elicit audience tears and cheers.
It’s not necessary to have seen, or even be aware of, the “Rocky” movies to enjoy “Creed.” Though many of those movies are classic and worth seeing, “Creed” is able to stand on its own with the same invigorating spirit of the first film in the franchise.
After initially being apprehensive about doing the film, Stallone was wowed by Jordan’s acting and Coogler’s vision for “Creed.” Luckily for the audience, it’s a vision worth celebrating.