Author: The Double Scoop
We got a chance to see the highly anticipated movie Creed during the Thanksgiving holiday. The cast alone was enough to make most people run to see the movie even if they had no idea who the boxing legend known as “Rocky Balboa” was. The very handsome Michael B. Jordan, the beautiful Tessa Thompson, and Sylvester Stallone reprising his role as Rocky came together to create magic on the big screen.
Director Ryan Coogler and screen writer Aaron Convington did an amazing job creating a continuation of the Rocky movie series. (Coogler and Jordan previously worked together on the 2013 hit film Fruitvale Station). For those including us who vaguely remember the original Rocky film, the movie was able to give a quick refresher without taking too much time away from the film.
Michael B. Jordan plays (Adonis Johnson) son of Apollo Creed, a former opponent turned friend of Rocky Balboa. In the original Rocky film there is no mention of Apollo having a son named Adonis, but in Creed it is revealed that Adonis is a product of an affair which was a very creative way of tying Jordan’s character into the movie. Apollo’s widow Mary Anne played by the ever so graceful and timeless beauty Phylicia Rashad takes it upon herself to take a young and troubled Adonis under her wing and raise him.
The film starts off a little slow but gradually builds momentum. Adonis is a troubled kid who loves to fight which eventually leads him to pursuing a career in boxing. He tracks down Balboa about training him which he initially turns down but later agrees to it. Both Mary Anne and Balboa are skeptical about Adonis’ pursuit of a career in boxing because they don’t want him to have the same fate as his father Apollo who died in the ring years ago.
Adonis wants to make a name for himself as a boxer without people knowing about his famous father, but the news is eventually leaked which results in Adonis being approached to fight world light heavyweight champion “Pretty” Ricky Conlan.
Rocky, despite receiving news about ailing health agrees to train Adonis for the fight.
Adonis survived all rounds with Conlan but eventually loses the fight. Although he didn’t win he still garnered respect from Conlan and fans as the amateur boxer who put up a mighty fight. The main fighting scene was intense, excruciating and exhilarating all at once.
Overall Creed was a good movie and it definitely gave an updated and modern twist to the classic Rocky film without taking away the shine from the original. Kudos to Ryan Coogler and Aaron Convington for the amazing writing and directing!
Source: Time
