Creed
(2015)Your legacy is more than a name.
The Rocky franchise passes the torch to writer-director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station), helming the story of Adonis Johnson – son of Rocky Balboa's foe-turned-friend Apollo Creed. Fruitvale Station’s Michael B. Jordan stars as Adonis, with Sylvester Stallone reprising his immortal role as Rocky.... More
Johnson never knew his famous father who died before he was born. But with boxing in his blood, he heads to Philadelphia and tracks down Balboa. Seeing the strength and determination of Apollo in Adonis, Rocky agrees to train him despite battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring.Hide
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Best Supporting Actor (Stallone) at the 2016 Golden Globes
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Directed by Ryan Coogler
Starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Anthony Bellew
Written by Ryan Coogler, Aaron Covington (based on the characters created by Sylvester Stallone)
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 8 providers
Flicks Review
BY Daniel Rutledge Flicks Writer
The Italian Stallion is back - in a film that isn't about him. In Creed, Rocky Balboa is a semi-retiree content to work alone in his restaurant, until a shadow of his past forces him to step back into the ring. Michael B. Jordan is Adonis Creed, son of the iconic Apollo, out to prove himself a champion to the world - something he'll need a reluctant Balboa's help with.... More
Jordan delivers an impressive performance, physically and dramatically, that should cement a big future for him in Hollywood. The storytelling here is generally assured and confident, ducking and weaving through all the formulaic beats you'd expect. Director Ryan Coogler also demonstrates a great flair for action sequences, put to best use in an important fight about halfway through the film. Shot in one take with the help of some digital stitching, it showcases brilliant boxing choreography and brilliant camerawork put together with joyous results.
Where the film doesn't deliver is with its love story and the father/son themes it relies on heavily for dramatic oomph. Adonis' relationship with Rocky is certainly interesting and well told, but the newcomer's stakes aren't high enough to make it very meaningful. Romantic interest Bianca (Tessa Thompson) seems really crow-barred into the story too, proving occasionally cringe-inducing.
As for Stallone, his performance is impressively subtle and nuanced. It also appears he has passed the torch creatively with Creed, much to its benefit, allowing the new filmmakers to give the spin-off a healthy dose of originality. There's not a lot of nostalgic fan-service, and when the little that there is arrives it feels well-earned. The film manages to pull off looking back with the right amount of reverence while standing alone as a strong dramatic piece, albeit with a few missteps.Hide
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Creed
BY AggressivePopcorn lister
Directed by Ryan Coolger this is the film of a young boxer who is lost and stumbles upon a tired, more or less given up Rocky. Rocky sees a lot of himself in the young creed. There are similarities between the first one especially the underdog tone. It is really well paced and Stallone pulls out perhaps his best performance. Maybe other than the Die Hard rip off Cliffhanger, (just kidding,... More fun movie though)
I get distracted far too easily. The boxing scenes are fantastic and give you lots of close up shots and lots of great editing here as well with the cut on action shots that make the scenes flow brilliantly were you hardly notice the transitions.
The drama is well done as well and you buy into the story. Michael B Jordan does an amazing job as well and I cannot wait for the next installments. It some some minor flaws but nothing that would detract from the enjoyment of this movie.
Isn't it crazy that two amazing franchises had their seventh movie released last year? Rocky and Star Wars.
If you have not watched this yet then I recommend it highly and if you are still reading then thanks a lot or I'm sorry (not sure which one applies)Hide
BY adamatdramatrain superstar
Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler directs and co-writes, lending the same passion and... More much needed new lease of life to Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky as JJ Abrams brought to George Lucas’ Star Wars. Casting Michael B. Jordan as Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis, and taking the plot of the first, great Rocky movie almost beat-for-beat, Coogler crafts a big, fat, proudly sentimental love-letter to underdog sports movies. Yup, every cliché we loved about the first Rocky is here. Music montages? Hell, I think I counted three! Rise and fall fights? Sure thing, only this time there’s an entire bout shot in one long continuous take and (pun intended) it rocks. But what delivers the knockout blow here is that while Adonis trains to beat his pugilist foe in the ring, his old trainer, Rocky Balboa, fights The Big C.
Sure it has issues. Women are an afterthought. The romance subplot is unconvincing. But, these are all issue the first testosterone-fueled Rocky had. Star Wars chose wisely to update those issues, whereas Creed clumsily attempts to sidestep sexism by introducing Tessa Thompson as Adonis' strong, independent love interest. It's a gesture sure, but a weak, undeveloped one that, hopefully, will be paid more attention in the inevitable sequel.
Creed is a movie with a big heart and an even bigger love of the Rocky movies. Jordan is superb as the young fighter taken beneath the old guard’s wing, but the standout here is Stallone who, maybe for the first time since dinosaurs roamed the Earth, actually acts, and damn if he ain’t great. Seriously. I’d give him the best supporting actor statue now and be done with, it’s that wonderful to see him flex his acting chops rather than churning out yet another excruciating Expendables sequel with his WWE / action pals.
Who’d have thought it? Two franchise revivals that actually work in one year. 2015 wasn’t so bad after all.Hide
BY Gaspardation superstar
The three matchs are highlights of the film. Considering the director is only in his 20s, the blockbuster is quite a delight.
BY mondoolix lister
The Rocky franchise is back.
With Michael B. Jordan taking the reigns as the protagonist for this new arch, the franchise is back.
Who would have thought that the 7th installment would be one of the best. Stallone shines in his supporting role and there are a number of great nods to the first films and to the city of Philadelphia.
If you thought the franchise has lost its track - watch Creed. If you haven't seen a Rocky film before - watch Creed. It is a fantastic boxing film at its core.
BY Ryrynz wannabe
Tries a little to be a bit more epic than it is, but still an enjoyable film with some good performances.
Showing 5 of 8 reviews. See all reviews
The Press Reviews
94%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
More than preserves the Rocky franchise’s. It reminds you why it was great in the first place. Full Review
A smart, kinetic, exhilaratingly well-crafted piece of mainstream filmmaking, and providing actor Michael B. Jordan with yet another substantial stepping stone on his climb to stardom. Full Review
Takes a while to move. But by the end, it’s genuinely moving. Full Review
The film keeps pounding through the predictable set-up and storyline until finally, when you think it can fight no longer and will have to throw in the towel, it charges back with some scenes of originality, pathos and, in ever-so-swift jabs, excitement. Full Review
Far-fetched but likeable offshoot of the geriatric Rocky series. Full Review
An emotional heavyweight that brings honor to the Rocky series. Full Review
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