Creed (2015)

In 2006, Sylvester Stallone wrote and directed what was ostensibly the last entry in the Rocky franchise, Rocky Balboa. If left as it was, it would have been a fitting end to the series. However, director and co-writer Ryan Coogler (Black Panther) has relaunched the series through the offspring of Rocky’s greatest foe and friend, Apollo Creed. The result is a nostalgic yet effective remodel of a franchise that we didn’t know we needed.

Born after the death of Apollo Creed, Adonis Johnson has spent most of his early life in foster homes and juvenile detention centers. Prone to fighting, Adonis frequently finds himself in trouble despite being a good kid at heart. When Apollo’s wife, Mary (Phylicia Rashad) takes him in to her home, it appears Adonis will get the stability he needs to succeed. As an adult, he gets a good job in a financial firm and even earns a big promotion.

However, the now-grown Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) possesses a desire to prove himself as a boxer. Not wanting to be known for his connection to his famous father, he doesn’t take on his surname. Fighting in small time matches in Mexico, Adonis proves a natural but raw talent in the ring. At the risk of disappointing Mary, he quits his job and travels to Philadelphia to seek out Rocky Balboa to train him.

Rocky (Stallone) is initially reluctant to return to the world of boxing. Now running a restaurant, Rocky is comfortable living his remaining years looking at pictures of his past matches on the wall. However, feeling a connection to and a responsibility for the younger Creed, he agrees to train Adonis. The result is a film that mirrors the original Rocky but never feels derivative.

For me, as a fan of the Rocky series since I was 8 years old, seeing Rocky Balboa as an aging mentor — living alone without his beloved Adrian — was a reminder of how I too am in a much different place than I was 47 years ago. Life goes on. Creed, the movie, passes the torch from one generation’s hero to a new generation. Adonis Creed is a worthy successor to Rocky Balboa. As played by Michael B. Jordan, he’s smart, likeable, and conflicted about his past. He’s eager to prove himself despite the doubters who claim he hasn’t earned his famous name. He’s also got his own set of flaws. He’s overconfident, proud, and a bit stubborn.

Yes, the Rocky series was formulaic and somewhat predictable. Creed, too, is predictable but it’s also comforting. Watching the young boxer get into fighting shape to enter the ring against opponents who want nothing more to beat the son of the former heavyweight champ is classic good vs. evil type stuff. Ryan Coogler’s ability to capture and reshape for modern audiences what made the original Rocky such a crowd-pleaser cannot be understated. Combining engaging human drama with rousing boxing action, Creed hits the same notes but in a different way.

The scenes featuring Stallone and Jordan as teacher and student will resonate differently for older audiences. We’ll appreciate the complete circle that Rocky has traveled from student to mentor. New audiences can simply enjoy their comedic banter and unmistakable chemistry. As Adonis pursues Bianca (Tessa Thompson), we’ll recall Rocky’s pursuit of Adrian. But the films aren’t carbon copies of each other. Not at all. They’re similar in spirit and feel but Creed is not just a retread.

As I write this, a third entry in the series — Creed III — is about a month away from release. I’m a little late to the party but this series has obviously found its fans. And, thankfully, they don’t have to be familiar with the original series at all. That too is comforting. I better watch Creed II to catch up.