CREED
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Screenplay by Ryan Coogler and Aaron Covington
Starring Michael B Jordan and Sylvester Stallone
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
I love a good sports film that really is not about sports. The Natural ...Good vs Evil/Darkness vs Light. Rocky to prove he is not just a bum from the streets. League Of Their Own...women finding their way in war time. Cinderella Man...surviving during the depression.
Now we come to Creed!! It is wonderful. Close to perfect. How does it work?
Well you have to have Sylvester Stallone be willing to take a backseat. Not only to Jordan but also letting Coogler direct and Coogler and Covington do the writing. By stepping back, Stallone gives an Oscar worthy performance. Maybe his best performance since the original Rocky.
Michael B Jordan here reteams with Coogler after they did Fruitvale Station together, like Stallone, is perfect in this film. He may not get the recognition that Stallone gets in this film just because his character is angry and seems to always keep his head down and almost growls. He just does not get the funny and touching lines that Stallone gets.
It is a sports film but it is more of a film about two characters finding out who they are at different stages of their lives and finding purpose.
Exciting (The boxing match), Funny (Cloud), even touching (The last scene on the art museum steps). Finally the city!! The city looks beautiful. Philadelphia the city I love.
4 1/2 stars out of 5 for Creed. Close to perfect (That damn silly bike scene??!!). One of the best films of the year. What a great surprise!
From the shadows as always thanks for your time.
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