Writer/Director: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Michael B. Jordan. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Jordan has become a celebrated icon. Whether it is powerful boxers, twin brothers or committed lawyers, Jordan has played many interesting characters. Arguably, Jordan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always shown a strong commitment to his craft of playing characters. Jordan has never been afraid to take risks in his career playing complex characters that aren’t often likeable. Through his abilities to portray compassionate characters which are easy to relate to, Jordan has become a beloved actor which audiences value. An African-American icon managing to accomplish great feats, Jordan has become a movie-star audiences cherish. Throughout an illustrious career, Jordan has made countless memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Jordan and admire the films he has made in his career. However, “Creed” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2015, Ryan Coogler’s film has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with bold production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest boxing movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a superb performance by Michael B. Jordan, who embodies a boxer with with strong creed to succeed. Ultimately, what makes “Creed” a boxing masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most boxing films, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message on the importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about boxing, there are countless reasons why “Creed” is a great movie which is worth seeing.
Set several years after the events of “Rocky”, “Creed” tells the story of a boxer with a strong desire to succeed. Michael B. Jordan portrays Adonis Johnson, an African-American boxer with dreams of achieving recognition. Adonis has always had a lifelong love for boxing which he inherited from his father Apollo Creed, who was once a heavyweight champion. However, Adonis’ dreams are shattered when he suffers a dark injury causing his career grim disaster. To get back on his feet, Creed seeks help from former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Balboa is a world famous boxer that knew Adonis’ father Apollo several years ago. Seeking to train his former rival’s son, Rocky is determined to ensure that Adonis achieves success in boxing. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Adonis begins to wonder whether it’s any longer possible for him to become a boxer.
Ryan Coogler is a newcomer towards themes of boxing. Before he directed “Creed”, Coogler had never made a movie about boxers before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to create a sequel to a legendary film about boxers facing rocky adversity, but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Coogler captures an African-American man embarking on a journey to achieve boxing glory. Recalling John G. Avildsen’s “Rocky”, Coogler effectively uses training montages capturing a boxer on a journey to overcome life’s rocky adversity. For instance, montages elevate the training scene. During this unforgettable scene, Adonis trains for a big fight with assistance from Rocky. One appreciates montages capturing hardship that boxers are facing. Through montages, Coogler creates a boxer audiences can easily relate to. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Destin Daniel Cretton’s “Just Mercy” proved clearly, montages enhance courtroom dramas about injustice. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Coogler captures the tensions that boxers in matches are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Creed” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s the most impressive boxing movie you will ever see. Coogler uses stunning production design to capture boxers whose lives decline. Recalling Ron Howard’s “Cinderella Man”, Coogler uses production of boxing rings to capture tensions that wrestlers are facing. For instance, the production design of the boxing ring enhances the finale match scene. During this unforgettable scene, Adonis engages in his final fight causing tension. One acknowledged boxing rings capturing tensions that boxers are facing. Through production of boxing rings, Coogler captures hardships that wrestlers go through. Moreover, the musical score is marvellous. Ludwig Goransson’s commemorated music contributes to the success of the film. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden that boxers bear. Through phenomenal prosecution design, Coogler captures tensions faced by commemorated boxers whose lives decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Creed” is a sports drama that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture tensions faced by wrestlers. Evoking Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby”, Coogler successfully employs flashbacks to capture the lives of boxers that face tension. For instance, flashbacks elevate the opening scene. During this heartfelt scene, Adonis recounts his childhood memories of meeting his mother for the first time at a foster care facility. Through spellbinding flashbacks, Coogler crafts a compelling portrait of boxing. Flashbacks are complex techniques to use in films. “Black Panther” suggested flashbacks enhance renowned comic-book blockbusters. Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” suggested flashbacks elevate movies about intellectual disability. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Coogler captures boxers facing a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Michael B. Jordan delivers one of his best career performances as Adonis Johnson. Jordan first achieved appreciation playing victims of police brutality in crime dramas. With “Creed”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a boxer seeking glory but Jordan succeeded. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Jordan has often thrived at playing emotional heroes facing adversities, “Creed” showcased his best strength as an actor. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures bravery, determination and resentments of a boxer that seeks to achieve recognition in competitions. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most commemorated black actors working today.
Sylvester Stallone is spectacular as a famous wrestler in a league of his own. Stallone has always excelled at playing Rocky Balboa since his first introduction in 1976. With “Creed”, however, the actor brought out an emotional vulnerability to the boxer that audiences had not seen before. Whether he’s giving Adonis valuable advice how to prepare for a boxing match or seeking to pay tribute towards his deceased friend in graveyards, Stallone uses his strong body language to create a boxer that’s compelling. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
Finally, “Creed” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing boxers with a strong creed. Unlike most boxing movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes such as determination, identity and illness which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of boxing to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about perseverance which definitely resonates with everyone. Therefore, “Creed” is one of those rare commemorated boxing movies that everyone will adore.
Fans of Michael B. Jordan will definitely appreciate “Creed” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating boxing classic, it honours a legendary actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking sports film about boxers with a strong creed facing obstacles that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that that has manufactured a lasting legacy producing unforgettable movies are definitely without any doubts worth seeing.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 