Thursday, December 3, 2015

The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic: CREED



The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic: 
on CREED (2015, 133 minutes, PG-13)



The Quick of It -
I admit I am not one of the Rocky fanboys from long ago.  I know plenty who are and live through the 'Rockyisms'.

Mickey - "You're gonna eat lightnin' and you're gonna crap thunder!"

CREED is a true Rocky flick in almost all respects, carrying the 39-year-old film's legacy into the modern era.  The elements of life's hardships and personal struggle are there, as is the core of a good Rocky film.  The story tells of Creed's bastard son, Adonis Johnson, who gets put into group homes at an early age and then works hard through his fists to get out from under his father's shadow. 

The technique used to put the audience into the boxing ring was on par with some of the best fight movies.  It was beyond what I remember from any of the past or recent boxing films and made you dance in the footwork and feel the physical blows.  The choreography between sparring fighters and the camera put you in the action and reminded me how I did once enjoy the sport of boxing.  Sadly, the top boxing cards have been disappointing fights as of late and the tradition of boxing has been tarnished with shame and doubt.

Mickey - "Your nose is broken."
Rocky - "How does it look?"
Mickey - " Ah, it's an improvement."

Michael B. Jordan's acting range has been called into question based on his previous endeavors (FANTASTIC FOUR, FRUITVILLE STATION, CHRONICLE... "All My Children") by his sometimes uncharismatic presence and one dimensional character parts.  But re-teaming with director Ryan Coogler (from FRUITVILLE STATION), Jordan makes complete sense and shows he can play lead effectively.  The synergy in the simpler scenes and his everyday-man approach is a credit to both. 


Sylvester Stallone reprising his role as Rocky was effective in the plot building but seemed forced with poor integration when progressing his subplot.  Unlike Schwarzenegger's return as the Terminator, Stallone's performance did not need to carry the film.  Stallone did do well as showing an aged fighter and who is struggling with his loses.  All you could do is cringe and shake your head as you watched an icon suffer, even though fictional.

Mickey - "Why do you wear that old sweaty thing?"
Rocky - "It brings me luck."
Mickey - "It brings you flies."

CREED is a great addition to the ROCKY collection and any fanboy should find it an acceptable passing of the torch.

Grade: B

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