Thoughts on Creed

Rating: 10/10 (9 May 2016)

"If he dies, he dies," says Ivan Drago coldly after watching an unconscious, mercilessly beaten Apollo Creed lying in the arms of rival and best friend Rocky Balboa. It was that day thirty years ago in 1985 that we saw former heavyweight champ Apollo Creed fight his final bout before being called home. In the eyes of many, that was the last time we would ever hear about the boxing legend. Then came a young, hungry raw talent carrying the name of a Greek God and the blood of the late Apollo.
Enter Adonis Creed, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan in his second lead film role and known by many as 16-year-old drug dealer "Wallace," from hit HBO drama, The Wire. Along with a cast of veterans such as Sylvester Stallone and Phylicia Rashad, professional boxers Tony Bellew and Andre Ward, and Tessa Thompson, Jordan still manages to shine in the lead role as Apollo's illegitimate son. It all starts with the first name matching Jordan's noticeably ripped physique. A tribute to the discipline he shows in his craft for bringing fictitious characters to life much the same as he did when he was Vince Howard on Friday Night Lights.
Aside from Jordan's quality portrayal, the film scores well by giving a sense of reality and legitimate human emotion to it. When Adonis decides to turn down a promotion at a very steady job at a securities firm to pursue boxing full time, the decision is met with much scrutiny by his boss and current legal guardian, Mary Anne Creed, Apollo's widow who agreed to take Adonis in 17 years earlier. As the audience, we can feel her pain as we recall Apollo's death and hear her speak about the tough nights where she had to walk him up the stairs or bathe him because he was too battered and bruised to do it himself. Against her wishes, Adonis moves from Los Angeles to Philadelphia in search of Rocky to receive formal training.
We're hit with reality once again as Adonis attempts to step out of his late father's shadow by taking on his late mother's last name, Johnson. At one point, Rocky suggests if Apollo were alive today, he would attempt to talk his son out of taking on the life of a fighter. This parallels how the legendary Michael Jordan has been vocal about not exactly wanting his kids to play basketball because of the scrutiny they will face as a result of his legacy. Like most kids, they played anyway, and so does Adonis. While carrying the Johnson name works for a short amount of time, it isn't long before a jealous trainer in the Philly gym does some checking and finds out who Adonis really is.
When he brings this Rocky's attention, Rocky pleads with him for confidentiality that we all know won't last long. When word finally gets out, and Adonis's love interest, Bianca discovers the full truth, she has mixed emotions. We also get an ESPN connection as we see PTI co-hosts Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser discuss Apollo as if he were a real athlete. Adonis is confronted with the name issue once again when the trainer for current champion "Pretty" Ricky Conlan requests a fight but demands that Adonis go by Adonis "Hollywood" Creed for better promotion. Adonis is hesitant at first but eventually gives in after the love and motivation from Bianca convinces him that he has earned the right to use the name and shouldn't be as concerned about being in someone else's shadow.
Once he comes to grips with the fact he cannot escape his father's legacy, we see a mentally renewed Adonis. One who is ready to live out his dream. One who is ready to take on whatever challenges come his way both in and outside the ring. We get to witness the final transformation of a young raw talent to a professional fighter ready for the big time. Perhaps the most admirable trait of Adonis is the willingness to trade in the big bucks and secure job in order to pursue what's in his heart. Something so many people, especially Americans, want to do but either aren't able to because of circumstances or lack the courage to go forth in their journey. He represents someone who understands that no matter how much money you make, it is all temporary and getting spent eventually. But something that gives you a passionate feeling and stirs your soul, that's way more valuable than money.
We also admire him for having the humility to recognize the need for formal training. While his raw talent is undeniable, he is humble and smart enough to realize talent alone won't take him as far as he wants to go in the boxing world. For pursuing his dream and remaining humble, Adonis becomes an on screen hero who both inspires and teaches us at the same time. We are inspired to pursue our passions with all our hearts, and we are taught to never give up. Impossible is merely a state of mind. While the Rocky series has always been inspirational dating back to its original film in 1976, I must say Creed takes the cake as the best one. And for being the seventh one in line, that says quite a bit about this film.