Director: Ryan Coogler
By Alex Watson
Smartly staying away from being trapped as Rocky 7, Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler has scored a knock-out blow with Creed. Possessing a raw and lively energy that fuels it from the opening frame, this tale of Apollo Creed's son Donnie is one that ignites interest. Coogler demonstrating his love of Philly's favourite son keeps Rocky close enough in the frame that he doesn't steal the show. However this tale has a refined emotion that has lacked in previous outings.
Adonis 'Donnie' Johnson (Michael B Jordan) is a hungry young fighter from LA attempting to make it in the hard world of boxing. Unlike his opponents he holds a secret- he is the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed. When he is rejected to join a prestigious gym, Donnie travels to Philadelphia hoping to connect with his fathers old rival and friend Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Living in the shadow of a man he has never known troubles the young man, particularly when faced with fighting fierce champion Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew).
Coogler and co-writer Aaron Covington closely match the centre story line with the original story. In Creed, Donnie is a talented but direction less fighter looking for a fighters life. Taken in as an angry juvenile by Mary Anne (Phylis Rashad), the wife of Apollo, he has lived with a burning desire his whole life to fight. There is a wonderful simplicity that Coogler is able to bring forward in this character along with a troubled vicious streak to fight anyone who gets in his way. Mary Ann is wary of this feeling and since her husband died fighting Ivan Drago, she wants to stop him from following a similar feat. Throughout Donnie gets labelled such derogatory names as 'False Creed' and critics snipe at his attempts to fight. The only effect is it propels him further on.
Finding Rocky is not as straight forward as one would hope. The Italian Stallion is a jaded shadow of yesterday and getting back in the ring in any capacity is not welcome. Through their early conversations, both men are establish a common ground and Rocky still feels pangs of guilty over his role in Apollo's death. Loss is the potent theme and it is expertly maintained through Rocky himself as in this instalment all that he holds dear has truly gone. He will later deal with the most devastating blow off all. For once this character is stripped back to basics and under Coogler emotionally conflicted and gentle soul of the first instalment. Other characters such as Donnie's new girlfriend Bianca (Tessa Thompson) is dealing with hearing loss that will eventually become permanent. Despite this she is still determined to sing and 'feel alive' and this central love theme may not have the parallels of Balboa and Adrian but is nonetheless extremely sweet-natured.
Creed feels its most alive during an impressive array of fight sequences. Coogler is unafraid to stand back and let his camera do work. Getting in close and allowing the slow-mo punches fly and the blood splatter, the result is electric. Setting up and all or nothing fight with champion Colon, who is shortly going to jail is a tricky prospect. Donnie feels he is only getting a shot because of his lineage but the champ needs a big pay-day after an over zealous movie before his previous fight. Interestingly the finale is held at Goodison Park, home of Everton FC and with a crowd against him the fight seems one-sided. What follows is some of the most enthralling boxing action we will see in 2015 as we feel the effect of every big blow. Outmatched by the larger and experienced Conlon, Donnie has a ton of heart in his corner and this will prove the difference.
Michael B Jordan proves he is the new lifeblood of this potentially profitable new franchise. After showing a rare quality in the disastrous new Fantastic Four, Jordan is given a character that fits him well. Through a magnificent (and Oscar worthy) performance, the young man is able to tentalisngly bring forward all the pent-up frustrations and needs of Donnie. Ably holding his own against his more experienced colleague, Jordan show us the qualities Fruitvale Station hinted at. In what is his finest work in sometime Sylvester Stallone gives an understated but quality performance. Rocky in this episode is haunted and losing hope on life. Struggling with a body that slowly betraying him and conflicted by the loss of Adrian, his outlook on life is slowly darkening. Stallone shows that given the right direction he can be wonderful.
Creed is one of the most refreshing surprises of 2015- many people (such as yours truly) sneered at this idea when announced in 2013. Ryan Coogler has shown us that he is a director for the future and this kind of talent is one worth keeping tabs on. Rocky Balboa Lives Again!
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