Classic Film Review #21: Creed

Available on Amazon Prime

The notion of a Rocky spin-off sequel series focused on Apollo Creed’s son didn’t scream ‘guaranteed commercial success’ initially but, with the third instalment having broken opening week records for a sports movie, it’s proved to be just that.

And it all began with Creed, an emotionally driven and well-acted film that is laden with brilliantly choreographed (if not a little gratuitous) fight scenes. Ryan Coogler and  Aaron Covington’s screenplay is centred on Adonis (Michael B. Jordan), an orphan who, despite being rescued from a life spent in juvenile detention centres, cannot shake a burning ambition to repeat history and become a champion boxer in his own right. But to do that, he’s going to need a little help from an ageing Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone).

Coogler plays off the chemistry between Jordan and Stallone to great effect, gradually building a slightly implausible, but no less endearing, father-son dynamic between the two. The former provides an imposing presence throughout that is underlined by an emotional vulnerability which ensures his character is not diminished by masculine stereotypes. Stallone, meanwhile, is immensely likeable as this aged iteration of his most iconic character, delivering a pleasingly nuanced performance that grants the film its emotional anchor.

Creed is unafraid to lean into genre convention, and that can be to its detriment at times, with some of the latter fight scenes feeling more than a little predictable. But it always remains a boxing film with real heart and, with its two leads in such stellar form, makes for an engaging and enjoyable watch.