Creed, Ryan Coogler, 2015



My grandfather was once the No. 1 ranked middle-weight contender in the world. He died when I was 6, but my grandmother and father never stopped telling me tales of his exploits. Rocky came out in 1976 when I was 13. My Dad took me, and I later saw it in the theaters at least 10 times. It was my favorite movie for years, as it reminded me of the grandfather I barely had time to know. I saw it again recently, and it still holds up. Great movie.

Creed is Ryan Coogler's imaginative, bracing reboot of the oft-maligned franchise, with Michael B. Jordan cast as killed-in-the-ring Apollo Creed's illegitimate son, Adonis, who gets a shot at the title with Rocky Balboa himself in his corner. It's such an obvious narrative, you have to wonder why it took this long to finally appear.

Coogler mixes an old-fashioned narrative with a revitalizing, modern twist that is obviously manipulative, yet still incredibly entertaining and moving. When you go see this one, leave the cynicism at the door, because Creed is, surprisingly, one of the best films of the year.

The film holds onto the pomp, the cheese, even some of the badness that is in the previous Rocky films. But the most important element that it retains from those films, is heart. There are moments in this film that soar, that makes you tear up, that makes you cheer. And the filmmakers don't come by those moments cheaply.

Yes, there are some obvious call-backs to the various Rocky movies: chasing a chicken for training purposes, the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, training montages, and even turtles Cuff and Link (well, Cuff or Link) get a shout out. None of these call-backs seem at all cheap or forced; they are organic to the story being told.

While the final fight doesn't quite have the pizzazz of other Rocky final fights, it is still, somehow, right. Coogler and his cinematographer, Maryse Alberti, film the fighting footage in such an inventive and thrilling way, that I had to go back and see it again to see what was being done - the first time, I was just caught up in the movie.

What Coogler and Alberti do in a lot of the fighting sequences, is shoot it in one-take, with the camera dipping and dodging and swirling around the combatants, like it was a fighter itself. In one scene, Adonis fights his first major opponent - the son of one of Rocky's old friends. The fight is thrilling - the action never cuts - there are no edits - from the time Adonis enters the ring until the fight is over. From the fighters to ref to the corner action to the people in the stands, for two whole rounds - it's all in one shot.
It's perhaps one of the greatest movie-fight sequences in cinema.

Jordan is damn good as Adonis Creed, and he's a worthy successor if this franchise is to go on...but the real star of the film, is, of course, Rocky. Sylvester Stallone imbues his most iconic role with a grace and humility that is both touching and heartbreaking. I found myself mourning Adrian and even Paulie along with him. He's a sick, old man now, but somehow, he is still "The Rock" he always was.

Everyone knows the legendary story of how the first Rocky was made - Stallone never backing down, turning down hundreds of thousands of dollars when he was broke - unless he could star in the movie. He was nominated for two Oscars that year - and never nominated again. He tried following up Rocky with some interesting failures, but when he hit the top of the box office again with the Rambo movies, Stallone never looked back - and embraced the mono-syllabic, action-star cliche his career had evolved into. We forgot what a powerful, quiet performer he can be.

But now, it comes full-circle. Stallone is back as Rocky...the role that started his career. And he's already won some critics awards for Best Supporting Actor, and was just nominated for a Golden Globe. Wouldn't it be something, forty years after the first Rocky, if Stallone takes home an Oscar for the same role? What a perfect ending to his Hollywood story that would be.

I won't spoil it for you, but the ending scene actually made me cry. It reminded me of my grandfather, my Dad, having Rocky posters on the wall, being in line, excited, for each subsequent Rocky film.

Yes, it made me cry.

Because I'm 52 now, because just like Rocky, I miss loved ones who have passed, times I can't get back, and most of all, I miss my youthful self and the things and people that shaped me. But I will still happily, if slowly, climb those damn steps, one at a time. Just like my childhood hero.

Never cared much for their music.

Excellent review. I really need to see the original Rocky one of these days.

Seriously? Yes, you do!

I love the Rocky franchise and don't even hate Rocky 5 even though it is clearly the dog of the franchise. I did choke up a little in Creed. When the Rocky music came in towards the end of the fight I got goose bumps. Rocky Balboa is one of my all-time favorite movie characters.

This movie blew me away. I went in with pretty low expectations and, after shedding some tears here and there, left astounded by how good it was. It made me want to rewatch the Rocky movies. It made me want to see Fruitvale Station. It was just great stuff.

I presently have it pegged as my third ranked movie of the year. It was great stuff!

Loved the review, Dom.

great review, Dom!! I feel like any words I have to share will pale in comparison. Bravo. Thank you for sharing with us. Your story moved me. I need to see Creed again. That movie kicked my ass in the best way.

Great review. The movie had a similar impact on me. I'm 41 and felt a lot of the same emotions that you described.

Great write up Dom. I loved the movie, it really does the franchise proud.

I echo this with the exception that I have not seen the movie yet. From your review I will change that though.

I also loved the Rocky movies for the heart they had and really all you mention minus any real connection like you personally had with your grandfather.

I had not even considered going to see it believing it would never live up to the original and would just end up being a cheesy knock off. Thank You for correcting that impression and I will make sure to take an extra handkerchief to the theater with me.

For anyone who grew up with Rocky as one of your film heroes, the ending scene is so beautifully poignant and heartbreaking and right.

Cheezy Rocky story.

In High School we played the theme song Gonna Fly Now in our Stage Band (Big Band/Jazz Band) as well as did a Rocky Halftime show.

On the night we were to march the Rocky halftime show during the pregame getting ready and final music practice Several of my lunatic friends and I completed a challenge dare and drank glasses of raw eggs in front of everyone. Sounds horribly cheezy now but really it was badass at the time, Lol

Rocky Balboa in 2006 already successfully pulled off the Rocky "full circle" thing including the surprisingly emotional performance by Sly etc. that everybody is giving this movie credit for.

It was good...this is better

Such a phenomenal write up, you've convinced me to go see it tomorrow.

I don't want to read this review until I've watched the movie, but I just wanted to say, I really like that this is its own thread, and not buried in the movie thread.

I think that their bombastic mediocrity on later albums somewhat buries their first, "My Own Prison," which is really solid.

I watched Creed at the Alamo Draft House. I don't know why this chain isn't all across the nation. It is truly amazing. In any case, the movie definitely delivered, but not sure what my opinion is worth since I haven't seen a movie for a year or so.

The cinematography of the fights was amazing, and while utterly unrealistic, were super intense. I really felt my heart pounding in each one. I also liked how the ending could have went in any direction, and any one of the possible endings could have fit well with the story line. The movie kept me guessing until the end, and I felt satisfied with the ending, but I would have honestly been happy with any ending, I think.

I won't say that I cried because I didn't, but it did have a heavy emotional punch. If I was to tear up, it wouldn't be from sadness, but from watching the spirit of struggle, hope, and determination, and the desire for a dream presented in its rawest form, which from a pure allegory, this movie presented perfectly.

Sure, it is a little knock-off / continuation of the Rocky enterprise, but it really did attempt to dig deep into you, and as long as you are willing, it is a good ride.

But "I'm not a boxing fan," one would say, but as many of us know, Rocky isn't about boxing, but uses boxing as a backdrop for us living for hope, and for that purpose, Creed hits home. Of course, the boxing is totally unrealistic, but as those who aren't fan of boxing bitterly discovered in the Pacquiao -vs- Mayweather fight, boxing isn't exactly a game of two robots beating the blood out of each other. In a realistic fight, the ending would have been highly disappointing, but that's movie magic for you. Quite honestly, being a hard-core boxing fan may actually take away from the movie.

Re-post. Didn't realize there was a dedicated thread for this

Damn, that awesome review sold the crap out of it for me. Excellent write up and I'm gonna check it out over the Christmas.

Dom, Creed was awesome. Cynics might argue it's essentially a rehash of the first Rocky but I was still pumping my fists in the air and muttering "c'mon Creed, Eye of the Tiger bro!", at that final fight nonetheless. Just a great feel good film, and academy? Give Sly the Oscar as he deserves it.
Cheers again for your great review.

Just saw this again...how Stallone didn't win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar is mind-boggling. It's such a beautiful performance.

A few things that grabbed me this time around were Tessa Thompson's performance as Creed's romantic interest, the various real-life boxers that were cast as Creed's opponents, just how perfect and compact the prologue is...the part with Creed as a child.

But it all comes back to Stallone. I really hope he gets a chance to keep flexing his acting muscles now that he's older....

I liked Creed. I really doubted I would but I did. Why can't Stallone keep making Creed movies?

just saw this again...so damn good. And thanks to everyone who who said nice things about my review.

Yes, it's a great movie, and great review.