Review of Creed (2015) by Andrew K — 27 Jul 2016

The first phrase that I happened across when it came to commentary on Creed was "the best Rocky film since Rocky". It's a phrase that I think aptly captures much of the complex discussion one could have when it comes to it's position in the Rocky franchise.

It is not necessarily clear whether the film is intended as a spin-off or a sort of Rocky 7 (I've heard the director speak of it in uncertain terms on both sides of the fence). Frankly I don't think it really matters. What matters is the way it manages to pay homage to the Rocky universe while also reimagining it (or even re-contextualizing it) from the perspective of it's central character, Adonis Creed (played by Jordan).

There is an interesting contrast, which I think is intentional, that happens on screen not only between the fictional characters, but also the real life characters. On screen Creed represents a well to do young man with a rough past, a guy with a successful career, an adoptive mom who took him under her wing, and a really nice home. Contrast this with Rocky, who would have been a similar age at his start in the 1970's, and what you have is a mirror look at Jordan, who is a young man with a successful career contrasted with Stallone who was just emerging in the days of the iconic first film. As a viewer this contrast affords the themes of the film some interesting and compelling layers as the chemistry between the two (which really does fly off the screen in an amazing way) develops and grows in to something unique. As Creed begins to search for a way to express the more unspeakable parts of his past that have been somewhat repressed by his current success, he is drawn to boxing as a sort of symbol of the lost connection with his father. This longing leads him to the quiet store front of the now long retired Rocky, and given the layers of this relationship, the notion of referring to Rocky as a family member reflects this special positioning and need of a father figure in his own life. This is at once far more than just about boxing, but then, as Coogler starts to leave his mark on the direction itself, this film is most certainly about the boxing as well.

Coogler makes some great decisions to sort of infuse the old, beginning with the Rocky meets son of Apollo narrative, and moving through snapshots of the figurative past (the famed Rocky Steps, some of the old fashioned training, and some nods to the old stomping grounds of the City of Brotherly Love. It is the way that he merges this with his natural flare for unpolished, energetic sequences that lifts this film from nostalgia to reimagined. He turns the training sequence in to something of a on screen musical, and moves in and out of the fight sequences with a clear sense of purpose. The pacing of the entire film is phenomenal, and yet it never leaves the characters or performances behind.

Thematically the film brings out echoes of the underappreciated Rocky Balboa, which began this sort of spiritual and philosophical examination of life and death, of change and aging. It should be said that here, outside of the directors chair, Stallone is given that much more space to dive in to his role. He was good (very good) in Balboa. Here he is really good. The aging becomes a stark realization in a sort of vulnerable unveiling of the Rocky character. The film brings together themes of death, remorse, unforgiveness and belonging in ways that is heartbreakingly honest and heart wrenchingly tough. And Coogler takes it all, on the shoulders of both performances (and also the understated performance of Thompson, whom plays the underlaying love story that sits underneath the dominating chemistry of the leads), and weaves it in to a sort of dance between narratives, both real and fictional, both nostalgic and new, both familiar and exciting.

There is a strange feeling that lingers in the background here of wanting and hoping Creed doesn't turn in to a franchise. It feels like it would be a perfect send off for the Rocky franchise. I'm not sure if this will be the case, and at the same time I wouldn't be disappointed to see more of this world from the eyes of Coogler (and Jordan). But as it is, Creed was that perfect bridge, and more so that perfect ending for Stallone's legacy as Rocky Balboa.