How about a double review for this Tuesday? I have seen all six Rocky movies, but Creed was something I thought about seeing in theaters in 2015 and forgot about it. With the news this year of the upcoming sequel, I needed to get caught up. What I watched was good, but nothing impressive.
Other than the first five minutes or so, I felt like I was watching a grittier version of the first Rocky. Adonis Johnson, who was conceived by Apollo Creed because of an affair, is a scrappy person who likes fighting. Even though Apollo's wife, Mary Anne, takes him in as a child, he still has thoughts about boxing, which includes some bouts in Mexico while working a regular job as an adult. He quits and decides to go full time boxing. With that, he heads for Philadelphia to see if Rocky Balboa will train him.
In a way, it is like viewing the first Rocky, though it's not directly similar as far as Adonis' story goes. The relationship between the two is similar to how Rocky and Mickey were. Rocky is not exactly willing to go back to the ring as a mentor and trainer, but decides to. Mickey was somewhat like that, but he didn't want to waste time training bums considering he could train other contenders. Adonis wants to make a name for himself and the training is a combination of the first three films, which includes the chicken bit that originated from Rocky II. Basically, Rocky wants to see if the kid has the stuff and if he is not a pretender.
As far as the character relationship goes, Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone gel together quite well and give great performances as Adonis and Rocky. You feel the ups and downs as they battle personal issues and the training to be the best. Outside of the training, there is also the relationship between Adonis and Bianca, played by Tessa Thompson. Luckily, it doesn't go the route of what Rocky and Adrian had. It's more along the line of hate and then turning into love. Bianca is also not afraid to say what is on her mind, but as a whole, the character is more than just a supporting role as she experiences some of the highs and lows that Adonis has.
Like all the others, there is the boxing. We get to see a few, which includes the final scenes of the film. Taking a page from Rocky V and Balboa, they got some real boxers for them, and I wouldn't be surprised if they took some major damage from some of those punches. They are not portrayed as villains, which makes it feel more real and grittier. It's not a show like the first Rocky, nor is it over the top like III and IV.
It is very lengthy, but there is more than enough to keep you watching. Like I said, it doesn't impress me, but Creed doesn't need to do anything revolutionary. It continues on the legacy of the Rocky series. Judging by what they doing with the newest one that comes out soon, being a drama is what makes the movies work and when done right, it makes the experience a lot more better.
Score: 7 out of 10
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