Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Creed’ – A Review
by Rob Giuffre
A bold statement is about to be made. “Creed” is the best “Rocky” franchise sequel, and by a lot. Even casual fans of the franchise must see Ryan Coogler’s take on the “Rocky” mythos.
A young African American director, Coogler, at only 29 years old, establishes himself as a top up and coming filmmaker. Even critics of the recent #oscarssowhite protest and boycott agitprop have to admit that maybe Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan should have garnered best director and best actor nominations.
“Creed” tells the story of Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), Apollo Creed’s lovechild and an amateur boxer in Hollywood, California. Johnson was taken out of foster care by Apollo’s wife Mary Anne Creed (Phylicia Rashad) at age 10. The audience gets to know Adonis as a young man, but it is clear he has had a solid middle class upbringing. His adopted mother, Mrs. Apollo Creed wishes for him to take a job in finance, but Adonis has a different plan. He hopes to find his father’s best friend and rival Rocky Balboa, convince Rocky to become his trainer, and to go pro.
The screenplay and story arc are both predictable, but it doesn’t matter. In fact, it is welcome and even enjoyable. Of course, in typical movie fashion, Adonis falls in love with a young woman named Bianca (Tessa Thompson).
“Creed” is a coming of age story, an urban drama, a romantic comedy…but all under the umbrella of it being a “Rocky movie.”
Speaking of Rocky, Sylvester Stallone’s “imaginary friend,” is as good as any fan could hope. Stallone’s performance is solid – especially when you compare him with peers in his age group, such as Harrison Ford in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Rocky is alive and well. At this point seeing Rocky on screen feels like having family over for Thanksgiving. A scene that comes to mind is when Adonis witnesses Rocky’s training wake-up ritual for the first time; it brings you right back to the original film and you can’t help but smile.
The story takes a serious turn at the midway point, and it is done well. What stands out in terms of feel is how the director portrays “da hood.” Authentic is used all too frequently, but there is no other way to describe how the film captures the feeling of the streets of Philadelphia. It is a feeling that is very similar to streets in the Bronx and have to be lived every day to fully understand. Area teenagers on illegal dirt bikes and four wheelers sets a tone and lets everyone know that this movie was made by a director who actually understands inner city dynamics.
This film is a pleasant surprise. You owe it to yourself to check it out in theaters while it is still out or rent or buy when it is released on DVD and BluRay.
Rob Giuffre is an educator and Bronx resident.
Follow Us