Rocky Balboa is back except now he’s a bit older, a bit slower and taking more of a back seat in Creed. On his seventh outing in the role that made him a household name, Sylvester Stallone once again straps on the gloves as the former heavy-weight champion but instead of working in a gym, the ageing athlete is contentedly running a restaurant in suburban Philadelphia. Rocky’s semi-retirement is interrupted by the arrival of a young man with questions about the past – specifically his relationship with rival-turned-friend Apollo Creed – and Adonis Johnson wants Rocky to train him.
Michael B. Jordan reunites with Fruitvale Station writer and director, Ryan Coogler to play the young wannabe boxer, Johnson. But instead of a young black man who becomes a victim of circumstance, this time around his character is a man fighting in and out of the ring against real and perceived opponents. Through flashbacks we learn that Adonis Johnson didn’t have an easy start in life and he continues to hang onto that anger as an adult despite a dramatic change in circumstances. Adonis is Creed’s son from an affair and while he never knew his father, he wants to be like him yet be his own man. While attempts are made to explain this dichotomy it never amounts to much, a distinct missed opportunity from Coogler’s script.
The parallels between Creed and Rocky II are evident throughout the film. Creed is both a homage to the original story and a poor remake as well. Some of the plot points are easy enough to update, but other elements are simply cheesy. Rocky’s tale of the underdog is inspirational and the iconic theme music is still stirring 40 years on, but by trying to reignite that spark in the same place and with the same ideas, it all just comes across as tired – much like the rather depressing looking areas of Philadelphia where the film was shot. The score doesn’t have the same power, although the introduction of musician/love interest Bianca (Tessa Thompson) allows modern music to be weaved into the film with limited success.
Overall Creed isn’t a bad film, it just isn’t great either. Fans could as easily be offended by the lack of originality as they could be impressed by the graphic fights. Stallone is showing his age, which isn’t a crime, but the film is poorer for it. While Michael B. Jordan is definitely a man to watch as he grows in experience.
Creed is open in Australian cinemas now.
