By Adam Cutrone
Contributing Writer
On the surface, Creed is the seventh film in the famed “Rocky” series. It’s a series that, much like the fighter it’s based upon, muscles its way through it’s successes and failures, yet still holds a special place in many people’s hearts. In a year filled with box office surprises, the most humble and frankly unexpected knockout comes in the form of Ryan Coogler’s refreshing expansion of the “Rocky” mythos.
“Creed” is only the second full-length release from 29-year-old writer and director Ryan Coogler, yet it displays a patience and attention to detail that is far beyond his years. Despite being the first “Rocky” film not written by Sly himself, the film shares the sincerity and heart that made the first film seem larger than life. Greater than the sum of its parts, “Creed” isn’t just a simple rehash of the Rocky origin, but instead a love letter to the city and the integrity of its characters — all of the things that made viewers fall in love with the Italian Stallion in the first place.
The film follows the life of young Adonis Johnson, played by Newark native Michael B. Jordan, who was born out of wedlock to Mary Ann and Apollo Creed. Despite fighting his way through juvenile corrections facilities for much of his childhood, Creed is ultimately taken in by his estranged mother, Mary Ann, who is played warmly by Phylicia Rashad. Adonis grows up to be an articulate and successful young man, living a life made comfortable by the estate of his father’s fame in Los Angeles. His struggle to define his own identity beyond of the confines of his father’s shadow focuses Adonis’ pursuit of a professional boxing career. It’s a pursuit that takes him across the country to Philadelphia in search of the man that stood toe-to-toe with his father decades before. This unique perspective of this tangential timeline of the Rocky anthology highlights what viewers love and appreciate most about Rocky, without him occupying the front seat, narratively-speaking. This writer’s opinion found the film better because of it.
Young Adonis’ journey of self discovery is countered by Balboa’s own struggle: What is left of a hero once the world stops watching? He’s a man who is simultaneously revered by the city he fought tirelessly for, yet deprived of the love of those who mean the most to him. Both men are uniquely burden with the same notion: Why keep fighting? Through their unlikely partnership, the couple discovers a kinship in each other that extends far beyond the squared circle. It’s a mentorship fortified by the sincere performances of both Stallone and Jordan that elevates this film from just another sequel to something actually worth paying attention to.
The film takes a daring approach to reinvigorating a classic and manages to do so with grace and excitement. “Creed” feels authentic without being overly-referential and larger-than-life, and without being too over-the-top. A combination of ambitious cinematography and the technically sound glove-work of Michael B. Jordan will pique any boxing fan’s attention. However, it’s the heartfelt relationship between Creed and Balboa that gives this sequel the strength to survive, even for those with just a cursory knowledge of the films that came before it.