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MOVIE REVIEW: Ryan Coogler Packs a Knockout Punch in “Creed”

 

 
Overview
 

Directed by: Ryan Coogler
 
Produced by: Robert Chartoff, William Chartoff, Sylvester Stallone, Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, David Winkler, Kevin King-Templeton
 
Written By: Ryan Coogler and Aaron Covington
 
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson
 
MTRCB Rating: PG
 
Genre:
 
FG RATING
10
10/ 10


User Rating
1 total rating

 

Raves


Oscar worthy performances, best filmed and choreographed fight scenes, the best tribute to the Rocky franchise, a perfectly paced character driven movie.

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None


In 2006, Rocky Balboa (whether you like it or not) marked its end with the titular character fighting in the ring and being under the limelight. Now, 2015’s Creed provides new beginnings for the lore within its own world (and by world we mean, Philadelphia), and is definitely a fight within itself in the making of this […]

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Posted December 8, 2015 by

 
FULL REVIEW
 
 

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In 2006, Rocky Balboa (whether you like it or not) marked its end with the titular character fighting in the ring and being under the limelight. Now, 2015’s Creed provides new beginnings for the lore within its own world (and by world we mean, Philadelphia), and is definitely a fight within itself in the making of this movie. Not only must it set to outmatch the ever beloved Rocky film released almost 40 years ago, but to also introduce a new face to a new generation without directly ripping off  the elements the made the overall classic a success. Was Creed able to stand out after all without the name of the franchise riding the coattails of its success?

In Creed, Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) never knew his famous father, boxing champion Apollo Creed, who died before Adonis was born. However, boxing is in his blood, so he seeks out Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and asks the retired champ to be his trainer. Rocky sees much of Apollo in Adonis, and agrees to mentor him, even as he battles an opponent deadlier than any in the ring. With Rocky’s help, Adonis soon gets a title shot, but whether he has the true heart of a fighter remains to be seen.

creeThis is definitely not a B-Movie like film taken place in the Rocky-verse (yeah, I guess that’s gonna be a thing now), so don’t expect some overblown theatrics, and some cheesy yet chuckle worthy dialogue. This film goes back to the roots of the first Rocky film; giving us a slow burn character driven tale of a fighter making a mark on the world. One could go in to this movie with fresh eyes but being a Rocky fan enhanced my overall experience with this film, this being a love letter for long time fans of the franchise. Funnily enough, when you compare the film’s and Adonis’ struggle in the movie itself it almost felt like that there is this Meta thing going on that mirrors each other. The film excellently stands on its own with some modern and refreshing twists to the underdog story mold.

The film definitely does have plot conventions from the first Rocky movie such as the humble underdog, the old mentor, and the significant other on his ringside, the big fight that the underdog happens to have nailed by chance from a famous fighter, and of course the training montage. But instead of it going by the numbers, it tweaks them; and as a result improves the narrative instead of the having the dated mold hold it back. There are some direct references to the film’s vast history that would both be funny and emotionally impactful (the last few minutes of the movie had me in tears).

AR-151129548As a boxing film, it definitely has to deliver some fight scenes and deliver it did despite that there were very few of them as one would expect. There was an impressively shot fight scene in the film’s second act that makes it looked like it was done in one shot. The big final fight on the other hand may not be as impressively crafted as that scene, but the final fight scene still has a lot of moments for both Rocky fans and new fans some cheer worthy moments that made you want to stand up and applause for the underdog. Believe me, the screening I went to, we were losing our minds as if we were watching something on pay-per-view on the big screen.

Michael B. Jordan continues to prove that he is one of the best young actors of the decade; then again him working with the director after watching 2013’s Fruitvale Station made me had no doubts but to go in and expect nothing but excellence from him under Coogler’s wing, he also shared great chemistry with Veronica Mars’ Tessa Thompson. But to my surprise I never thought I would leave this film saying that good ol’ Sly Stallone should get an Oscar after years of him just phoning in his performances by acting only as a caricature of his past self. This is Stallone’s Rocky that you’ve never seen him before, being more damaged yet calmer and raw than he was the last we’ve seen him in 2006’s Rocky Balboa.

Conclusion:

“Creed” was able to let director, Ryan Coogler pass the torch to a new underdog fighter in this emotional, refreshing, exciting and compelling character driven film that packs a punch.

“Creed” is punching its way out in theaters December 9, 2015!

 

 


GP Manalo

 
G.P. Manalo is a student by day, and a resident tortured writer by night. Writing to keep him sane from all the Business School papers and presentations piling up each week.


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