Creed
There is an excellent scene in the movie where Adonis Johnson (Not yet Creed) watches the classic fight between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa on a projector screen and superimposes himself at Rocky’s position, making his own moves, finding Apollo’s weak spots and trying to outsmart his “father”. Adonis is not trying to emulate his father, nor is he in awe of the legend of Apollo Creed...he is trying to beat his own surname. The pain of juvenile homes, the pain of not flaunting his Creed legacy and the pain of not becoming a real boxer. It all comes out in that 1-2 jab. This scene becomes the fulcrum of the movie and you are for a treat for the remainder of the running time.
When I first heard of the news that a new Rocky movie is coming, I thought it is another attempt to earn some money on the premise of nostalgia but it is much, much more. Director Ryan Coogler makes the movie his own while keeping the heart the original Rocky had. Michael Jordan is the reluctant, illegitimate child of Apollo Creed, opponent turned friend of Rocky Balboa. There are some serious Daddy issues handled in the movie especially the weight of the legacy of someone like Apollo. In another dialogue Rocky mentions about his son, “He couldn’t box, you know ...Rocky’s son” .There is just a hint of resignation on Stallone’s face and he plays that part superbly.
The movie is filled with the great training montages that started with Rocky and every sports movie imitated them, but no movie can do them perfectly unless you have Stallone in them, even though as a trainer. Stallone and Rocky Balboa are a single personality and he is as natural as the Italian Stallion as he was all those years ago. He transforms himself beautifully as a sick man who is on the verge of fighting one last bout with time but as he knows that “Time is undefeated”, he is extending the rounds. The relationship between him and Michael is portrayed beautifully. Michael B Jordan is the star of the show with the raw and vulnerable energy which is so beautifully controlled by Coogler and motivated by Stallone.
Now, the fight scenes, (always the high points of Rocky franchise), are breathtaking. The choreography of the climax fight between Adonis and “Pretty” Ricky Conlan is a delight to watch with close shots and long range punches creating magic. The end result doesn’t matter for the man who has Apollo Creed watching from upstairs and Rocky Balboa at your corner. It is a Knock Out
Awesome Movie.