“‘Rocky II” specifically – that was his favorite movie. It begins with a young Adonis (the wonderful Michael B. Jordan, “Fruitvale Station,”) the son of Apollo Creed.
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The premise behind Creed is certain to elicit some eye-rolls, but this spin-off from the Rocky film canon is a confident crowd-pleaser that packs a punch both inside and outside the boxing ring. Coogler perfectly threads the needle between innovation and reverence, keeping the familiar Rocky signposts-the Conti theme, the training montages, those museum steps-present, but recontextualized. Creed may have a few flaws, but, not unlike that boxer who kicked this off all those years ago, it’s got more heart than you could even imagine.
Coogler helmed the film while Aaron Covington and Stallone wrote the film script. Robert Chartoff, William Chartoff, Nicolas Stern, Kevin King Templeton, David Winkler, and Irwin Winkler co-produced the film. I can vouch for it as a near masterpiece, so much so that Oscar may have to consider it. Time will tell in that regard, but this is something special folks.
I have no idea how the Rocky series got handed over to the director and star of Fruitvale Station, but oh my god is that what I am thankful for this week.
Unless you are Ryan Coogler, that is, who I think might be a genius. Yes, we like him, but the only reason any of us are drawn to this is Stallone and Rocky.
When he decides to go pro, he can’t get anyone to train him. “But the fight game? No”.
The seventh film of the Rocky film franchise, Creed, starring Michael B. Jordan was just released in theaters on Thanksgiving Day.
In theory, “Creed” isn’t even about Rocky. “What Ryan was taking on was quite a lot for his second time out”. I swear to God, if you’re not going to do it, I’m out.
Indeed, as the popularity of boxing has waned over the decades, some may wonder whether the almost 40-year-old franchise has the resonance it once did.
Despite this, “Creed” manages through sheer force of will, creative inspiration and the vast talent of all those involved to defy the odds and become the most exciting piece of popular filmmaking to come out this year.
“How confident were we?” “Yeah, for a long time”, Rocky responds laconically. My kids played “Eye of the Tiger” in their assembly when they were in the school band. He surprises the ex-champ with his fight acumen, but a much bigger shock is in store. The beloved ex-champion is old and gray now, but still humble and full of the joie de vivre that made us all love him in 1976.
Thompson observes Rocky audiences remain loyal because “they give us a sort of perspective of what’s possible with self determination, perseverance. That’s what makes it so lovely”.
With “Creed”, Coogler delivers the ideal mix of an indie drama about a young black man coming to terms with his heritage and a Hollywood crowd pleaser about underdogs. Now, the franchise has a spinoff entitled “Creed”. “It was cool to take on this character with such deep roots”, he said.
Another “Rocky” movie sounds about as appealing as, well, another “Rocky” movie. He laughed. “He’s still in shape”. Balboa himself remains a lovable but lonely lunk, having lost everyone in his life since the events of 2006’s swan song film “Rocky Balboa”. But now the senior citizen Rocky is perfectly suited to the role of mentor for Creed’s son Adonis.
Davis said he would go as far as calling him the frontrunner for this category. It sets the track for a whole new generation of fans.
For Stallone, everything had just changed.
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Interesting thing happens when it comes to boxing and movies. He gave a lopsided grin.
