Creed

The Next Generation's Underdog

Director: Ryan Coogler
Release Date: 2015
Rating: 12
Running Time: 130 mins
Genre: Sports/Action/Drama
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson

'Time beat him. Time eventually takes everybody out. Time is undefeated.'

'So there's going to be a new Rocky film!'...Groans from some, shouts of joy from others, but most of all, people wondering, surely we've seen all that the Rocky's have to offer and then some more we didn't need, but as it turns out, there's still life in the Rocky franchise after all. A decade on since Balboa exited the ring for the final time, audiences and fans are given a new underdog champion to put on the gloves. This time it's Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the last descendant of legendary boxer in the Rocky franchise - Apollo Creed, and all that can be said is, Coogler and Jordan did not let the franchise down. The film is modern, cool, and breathes new life into the saga, that bridges the two boxing legends perfectly, proving that both Balboa still has some fight left in him, and Stallone does not let his character down delivering both great character and performance. I'll be honest, after Sly's performance as the ageing boxer, he's standing in excellent stead for a potential win, and I think we can all agree that seeing the trailer for The Expendables 4, and reading 'Academy Award Winner Sylvester Stallone' would be quite an impressive achievement. But not getting too far ahead of myself, with regards to Creed the star certainly gave his all in this performance, and if he wins the golden statue, it would be well deserved. I'll be honest I didn't think Sly still had it in him to deliver such a credited performance, especially returning as such iconic character, its good to see he's not going down the DeNiro road entirely. He's still got a fighting chance.

Taking place three decades on after Apollo Creed's fatal fight, his last son Adonis 'Donny' Johnson, born from a love affair Apollo had, learns of his dad's fame, success and friendship with legendary boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). After approaching Balboa in the hopes of gaining a trainer, Donny begins following in his father's footsteps as a natural born fighter, and good friend of Rocky, as he gets ready for the biggest fight of his life. The film also adds two believable and well-inserted love story to the film, one with singer Bianca (Thompson) giving Donny's character stability and hope, but perhaps more iconically in this film there is also a strong love that grows between him and Rocky, and to see the two of them form a strong friendship together. It gives the lonely and aging boxer something worth fighting for again, that is truly compelling and inspiring for the audience.

But let's actually talk about the dynamic duo that spurred this film into life. After the highly moving and well captured 2013 drama Fruitvale Station, Ryan Coogler is proving himself to be an exceptional director, with inventive and inspiring work on both Fruitvale and Creed. He has a gritty edge to his directing, it captures the realism and difficulties that life lay out. Through his portrayal of heroes from somewhat unprivileged backgrounds, it makes for a captivating accomplishment that slots into the Rocky franchise perfectly, almost mirroring the multi-Oscar winning Rocky (1977) in terms of grit, edge and unpredictability. Michael B. Jordan collaborates once again with the director, giving his all, both performance-wise and physically, due to him getting into unbelievable shape for the role, you would've thought he'd been boxing his whole life. Jordan gives fresh life to an underdog that audiences can get behind and believe in, both in and out of the ring, as well as matching Apollo in terms of delivery and drive. The whole time carrying out the films message of 'being your own person'. Adonis 'Donny' Johnson-Creed is an inspiring and immediately likeable character, despite his initial hot headed temper, and troubled up-bringing, A exciting and believable character we've all been left wanting to see more of.

One of the main debates of this film is, is it one for the Rocky fans, and wasted on everyone else? In many ways, it is for the fans. The audience already have a connection with Balboa, the training montages and of course it's theme tune, as well as certain iconic scenes such as the Philadelphia museums 72 steps. There's already a background knowledge of Balboa and Creeds relationship in the 70s and 80s and how it, began, developed and evolved, showing the impact one had on the other. You also will enter Creed with knowledge of Rocky's life and marriage with Adriane and long term friendship with her brother Paulie, adding more emotional impact when he visits their graves, and learning about his son. There are also echoes of Mickey, Rocky's original trainer, shown in the gym Donny is trained in, and of course the signature hat he wore that Rocky wears when Donny enters the ring. In many ways, its a tribute to the old films, and a way of saying that they can still be loved in a new generation through this similar but original franchise, However, having said this, if non-Rocky fans were to watch Creed, they wouldn't be disappointing or feel to be missing out too much, provided they know the basics, which the trailer happily fills in anyway. Many understandably will prefer to educate themselves with the old films first, but, as Donny learns about his dad and builds a relationship with Rocky, the same is happening for the audience. Coogler is showing us this world through Donny's eyes and therefore, new audiences are catered for in exposition and character development, in a way that doesn't slow the pace down for the die hard fans. The film gives us a new hero to believe in, and the script deals with Rocky perfectly, as he is able to win the hearts of old and new fans alike.

The shots in this film are simply incredible, and its baffling to me how the Oscars could snub Creed for Best Cinematography, Editing and Directing. In one fight scene, we see the two fighters get through several rounds all in one take from beginning to end making for a true spectacle of viewing in such an original and incredible achievement. There are other aspects of the photography that work in reimaging the Rocky's, but perhaps one of the most iconic and fan pleasing moment in this film is when Donny gets into the ring and he's ...... with the Rocky theme tune. The soundtrack is fitted perfectly to the film combining hip-hop, a bit of blues and most iconically the song Last Breathe by Future, remixing the original tune and giving it new legs to spur the Creed franchise on, why the song isn't up for an Oscar remains a mystery however.

The future of Creed is still an ambiguous one, MGM claim there's no doubt they'll make a sequel, but the big question is, will Coogler, who is scheduled to direct Marvel's Black Panther will have the time to be involved in the production. Ideas however are flying around with Sly and Coogler for a Godfather Part II-esc film flying between Apollo's life and Donny's, which I think fans would definitely be interested in seeing. All that's for sure is, Sly is definitely going to carry the franchise on, even if Coogler can't. Now I have recently changed my mind about the aging star having seen him in Creed, but here's to hoping he doesn't 'Rocky V' this franchise and do what all Hollywood writers end up doing to great films and franchising them for a quick buck with the same shit different day style of film-making.  All I will say is that Creed has started a strong franchise with a lot of potential having hit the ground running, now keep the style of gritty realism, but keep it fresh, and with the beauty of hindsight, they can see how Rocky dipped and avoid doing the same to this potentially great series.

9/10