100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 159: Creed

Director: Ryan Coogler
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 133 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Andre Ward, Tony Bellew, Ritchie Coster, Jaco ‘Stitch’ Duran, Graham McTavish, Malik Bazille, Ricardo McGill, Gabe Rosado, Wood Harris, Buddy Osborn, Rupal Pujara

Description: The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.

Review: Sylvester Stallone turned 70 in 2016. The actor has a great career, but mostly two characters define it: John Rambo and Rocky Balboa. And that last character he reprises in the sequel/ spin-off “Creed”.
Michael B. Jordan plays Adonis Johnson, the son of Apollo Creed. Boxing rival and friend of Rocky. Adonis never knew his father, because he died before he was born. As a teenager, Adonis goes in and out of foster homes and prison. Apollo’s wife looks him up and decides to take him in. Although Adonis has a good job and just made a promotion, he is not happy there. He quits his job to become a boxer, like his father. He travels to Philadelphia to visit Rocky Balboa and asks him to train him.
“Creed” is directed and also partly written by Ryan Coogler, who worked with Jordan on “Fruitvale Station”. Coogler has to work hard to convince the viewers, because many scenes might remind you of other Rocky films or might feel cliché. But there are more layers and there is more to this film than meets the eye.
The challenging fights are what make this movie excel. The ring fights are shot perfectly and have some dramatic twists. Michael B. Jordan is really good in his role. And Stallone shines, in the role he was always meant to play.
“Creed” is a fantastic film, that grabs you and captivates.

Rating: 4,5/ 5