Review of Creed (2015) by Two Swood D — 07 Mar 2016

So this is the first time since my consensus on Resurrection "F" that I've done a review, but two people whose opinions I value told me that I should dip my foot a little deeper into movie reviewing.

Not only that, but the movie I watched today was so unbelievably good that it was gasoline to my flame of interest.

That movie is Creed - a movie so incredible that it is already in my top ten favorite movies of all time. So, to stop myself from just going on about how much I love this movie, let's get into why it's so good.

Creed is a story of overcoming; your legacy is more than a name. It tells the story of the rise of Adonis Creed, son of Apollo Creed. Adonis wants to be a fighter like his father but doesn't want to be stuck in his shadow; he wants to make a name for himself alone. And, just like Adonis, the movie itself tries not to be trapped in the shadow of the previous Rocky films.

But does it?

To put it bluntly, abso-fucking-lutely not. This movie is a standalone presence that could effortlessly exist without the previous films. The film is obviously aware of the previous films and fantastically pays homage to it - and at times seems to be a shot-for-shot retread of it, recreating scenes from the first Rocky film (there are montages as you'd expect in a Rocky film).

But, much to my enjoyment, it never steered too far off track.

Michael B. Jordan comes in hot after Fantastic Four and shows why he should have everyone's attention as a future A-lister. His character, Adonis, is a stark contrast to his father in that he carries none of his flamboyance, but on the converse, he does have his charm and his love for fighting. All throughout the movie, you see that he wants to step out of his father's overbearing shadow; but, at the same time, his concern is if he's unworthy of the name Creed.

By the final fight, Adonis accepts his family ties and steps into the ring wearing his father's shorts ready to see if he can prove his worth. But to the viewer, especially me, he had already won. He overcame everything that had oppressed him up to that point. By the time the final fight came, I didn't care about it. This is a boxing movie and I had no need for the fight. That is testament to the genius writing in this film.

Also starring is the man himself, Rocky. This is easily Stallone's best acting; after what was an underwhelming film in Rocky Balboa, Rocky has a lot of baggage, but as we all know he takes things in stride. That's why we love him. Stallone has some of the most emotional scenes in this film and Rocky as a character is at his best. We get to see a more human side of him that we've never seen; he's lost everyone he cares about at this point and takes on the mentor/father figure that Adonis needs. He's beat, he's hurt, he's scarred, but he's also still got a soft side.

Underlying this movie as well is a sense of racial diversity but it doesn't make it the forefront point! If anything, the characters are raw. Adonis dresses like a young man in his mid-20's and none of it seems forced. The cinematography and directing in this movie are also at masterful levels. The final fight is the apex of the directing; every blow is powerful, and the moment Adonis gets knocked down may just be the highest point. I can't get too into it without spoiling important details, so please, watch it for yourself.

To summarize, this movie is a marvel. I adored every second of it, and after it was finished, I wanted to watch it again and again. This is the best movie of 2015, and possibly one of the greatest movies of all time! Go out and watch it, please, and feel the need: the need for Creed.