In typical Rocky fashion, “Creed” is much more than a boxing movie. Yes, there are the boxing matches and the grueling workouts, but more importantly the film explores a new chapter in the “Rocky” saga with Michael B. Jordan in the starring role of Adonis Johnson, a young boxer who never knew his father, world heavy-weight champion Apollo Creed — and is struggling to define himself while living up to his father’s legacy.
“Creed” reunites director Ryan Coogler with his “Fruitvale Station” star; together they take all the great elements of the Rocky movies and weave them into a heartfelt story of a young man who goes in search of his past and identity, and along the way learns how to create his own destiny.
Adonis, who’s been fighting and boxing since he was a kid, heads to Philadelphia and tracks down Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) to ask him to be his trainer. Despite Rocky’s insistence that he’s done with fighting, the former champ sees the same strength and determination that Apollo had and agrees to train Adonis, even as he’s battling an opponent more deadly than the ones he’s faced in the past.
With Rocky in his corner, Adonis gets his own shot at the title against boxing champ “Pretty” Ricky Conlan, played by English pro boxer and former three-time ABA Heavyweight Champion Anthony Bellew, but can Adonis overcome his past and move out of Apollo’s shadow to become the fighter that he’s destined to become?
Jordan and Stallone’s chemistry is undeniable and both triumph in their respective roles. Stallone delivers the heart and humor that we’ve come to know from him over the years as Rocky. Tessa Thompson (“Selma,” “Dear White People”), plays Bianca, the yin to Adonis’ yang, and the singer-songwriter matches his strength and independence, but we also see the sweetness and the kindness of Talia Shire’s character, Adrian Balboa from the early Rocky films. Rounding out the cast is Phylicia Rashad starring as Apollo’s widow Mary Anne Creed.
Together, Coogler and Jordan combine the heart, humor and soul of the Rocky films to create a whole new chapter in the legends of Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa. “Creed” is a knockout!
