Creed

When it comes to the cinematic world, there are bound to be plenty of surprises each and every year. These unexpected delights can come in the form of performances or the film’s themselves, and oftentimes, it is a combination of the two. 2015 was no exception, and when all is said and done, CREED may end up as the most baffling of all.

When Sylvester Stallone stepped into the ring for one last battle in 2006’s ROCKY BALBOA, it appeared to be an adequate swan song for one of the medium’s most endearing heroes. The film showed shades of greatness, and despite his advancing age, Stallone made his character an endearing underdog once again. At the time, there was every reason to believe that BALBOA would serve as the final chapter of the beloved series.

As it turned out, Rocky wasn’t done. Well, not exactly. In the spectacular CREED, Stallone steps away from the main stage, and allows the incredible Michael B. Jordan to have the spotlight shine upon him as the main event.

When audiences are first introduced to protagonist Adonis Johnson, he is a young child living in a detention center where he is constantly getting into fights. His life turns around when he receives a visit from a woman named Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashad) who claims to have been the wife of his father. She invites the troubled youth to come and live with her, and educates him on his previously unknown lineage. Adonis discovers that his father had died before he was born, and that the man was, in fact, Apollo Creed.

Flash forward fifteen years, and Adonis (Jordan) is stepping into a boxing ring in Mexico. He dominates his opponent in a matter of seconds, and twelve hours later, is back at his desk job in California. Despite receiving a promotion at his financial firm, he decides to quit. He believes that he is destined for boxing greatness, and wants to dedicate his life to fulfilling this dream. His adoptive mother is saddened and disappointed by this revelation, and voices her disproval about his decisions.

Adonis (now going by the name Donny) moves to Philadelphia, where he hopes to train with his father’s greatest adversary, Rocky Balboa (Stallone). The former champion is reluctant to get involved at first, as he has finally left the boxing world behind. Due to Donny’s determination and tenacity, however, Balboa gradually warms himself to the idea of standing in the budding fighter’s corner.

Much like the original ROCKY, CREED is a film that is largely centered in the world of boxing, but at its heart, proves to be about much more than that. Jordan is a fierce, likable lead who delivers an emotional punch in virtually every scene. He is an actor who has quietly built an impeccable resume, from his early days as a supporting actor in THE WIRE, to his haunting turn in FRUITVALE STATION. Exuding fierce physical prowess and an equal amount of tenderness, with this award-worthy performance in CREED, he has established himself as one of the premiere young leading men in movies today.

There are plenty of the parallels between CREED and ROCKY, yet director Ryan Cooglar (who was also at the helm of FRUITVALE STATION) finds a way to make the story seem fresh, and new. Donny’s evolution from backroom brawler to legitimate contender (ultimately he is granted the opportunity to fight the undefeated champion) is a tale that we have seen countless times before, and yet his film remains engaging and exciting. The boxing sequences are brutally realistic, and he brings out the best in every performer who steps onto the screen. This sentiment is exemplified by Sylvester Stallone, who may very well hear his name ring out numerous times come award season. In CREED, the aging action star is more than willing to let Jordan’s star shine, effectively passing the reins of the franchise over to its rightful heir. He is not the simple caricature seen in some of the lackluster sequels in the series. Instead, he is a thoughtful, soft-spoken, humble man who believes that hard work and dedication can illicit greatness from any underdog. He is a quiet and understated force that provides encouraging credence and clarity to Donny’s considerable plight. Stallone’s progression throughout the seven ROCKY films is unlike anything we have seen before, and his turn in CREED may very well prove to be Balboa’s greatest victory to date.

CREED: A-

A special thanks goes to Regal Cinemas at Destiny USA for allowing me to attend this month’s film.

Brian Miller