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Film Review: Creed (2015, directed by Ryan Coogler)

November 26, 2015 16:34


CreedOn Wednesday, I saw the movie Creed and what can I say?  Creed is exactly the film that we were hoping it would be.  Not only does it continue the story of Rocky Balboa but it proves that Ryan Coogler is a major directing talent and that Michael B. Jordan is a film star in the making.  Ever since Creed was first screened for critics, we’ve been hearing that “Creed is the best Rocky since the first one.”  I would go even further to say that Creed is one of the best boxing films to be released since the first Rocky.  Though the story may be formulaic, Creed is a film that will take you by surprise.  No one — not even the biggest Rocky fans — was expecting it to be this good.

When the movie opens, Adonis Johnson, the illegitimate son of the legendary boxer Apollo Creed, is just another kid in foster care.  His mother has recently died and Apollo was killed in the ring before Adonis was even born.  Adonis is adopted by Apollo’s widow, Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashad).  Fifteen years later, Adonis is working in an office and has just gotten a big promotion but he spends his weekends boxing in cheap venues in Mexico.  Eventually, over Mary Anne’s objections, Adonis quits his job and moves to Philadelphia.  Adonis wants to box professionally and he wants his father’s greatest opponent and best friend, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), to train him.

But Rocky is no longer the man he used to be.  He stills owns his restaurant and he still goes out to the cemetery to visit the grave of his wife, Adrian.  Since the end of Rocky Balboa, Rocky’s best friend, Paulie, has died and his son has moved to Canada.  (Paulie still gets an affectionate shout out when Adonis comes across his old porn stash at Rocky’s house.)  Rocky is older, sadder, wiser, and more alone than he has ever been.  He is also still haunted by Apollo’s death in the ring.  At first, Rocky does not want to train Adonis but eventually, the younger man wins him over.  Under Rocky’s tutelage, Adonis wins his first professional fight.  When the news gets out that Adonis is Apollo’s son, he is given a chance to fight the reigning world champion, Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew).

Creed 2Watching Creed, it is obvious that Ryan Coogler knows his Rocky films.  Creed features call backs to every entry in the series, even the ones that have not received the positive reviews of the first Rocky and Creed.   Of course, the entire film is haunted by Apollo’s death at the hands of Ivan Drago in Rocky IV.  The restaurant and Rocky’s visits to Adrian’s grave were first introduced in Rocky Balboa.  When Rocky shows Adonis a picture of him and his son, it is a still photo of Sylvester and Sage Stallone in Rocky V.  When Adonis first meets Rocky, he asks him who won the fight that ended Rocky III.   Adonis’s fight against Conlan is a call back to Rocky’s fights against Apollo in the first two Rocky films.  When Adonis thinks about his father, a clip of Carl Weathers flashes across the screen.  Finally, just as Rocky fell in love with Adrian, Adonis falls for a singer named Bianca (Tessa Thompson).

Even though Creed is steeped in the history of Rocky, it still manages to establish its own identity.  Creed is not just a film about boxing.  It is also about a son’s effort to escape the shadow of his famous father and establish his own identity.  Michael B. Jordan gives a performance that feels so real and so honest that it constantly takes us by surprise.

StalloneSpeaking of surprising performances, Sylvester Stallone has never been better.  This is not only his best performance in the role of Rocky Balboa but the best performance of his underrated career.  It is a performance that is totally devoid of ego and Stallone has never been this vulnerable on screen.  If Stallone is not, at the very least, nominated for an Oscar for his performance here, it will be an injustice.

Coogler does a good job of capturing the mean streets of Philadelphia and watching Adonis’s training montage is an inspiring experience.  (It would not be a Rocky film without an inspiring training montage.)  Coogler also does a good job filming the action inside the ring.  The second fight, which is shown in almost one entirely unbroken take, is especially exciting.

Creed is a stunningly effective film.  When I saw it, the audience broke out in applause at the film’s final shot.  Rocky Balboa’s story may be close to finished but Adonis Creed’s has just begun.  I can not wait to see where it goes.

Creed 4

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Posted by Jedadiah Leland

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45 Responses to “Film Review: Creed (2015, directed by Ryan Coogler)”

  1. […] Best Supporting Actor:  Sylvester Stallone – Creed […]

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    By What a Lovely Day! The National Board of Review Honors Mad Max: Fury Road! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 1, 2015 at 17:14

  2. […] in a Supporting Role Sylvester Stallone, Creed Paul Dano, Love & Mercy Michael Keaton, Spotlight Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight Christian Bale, The […]

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    By For Whatever They’re Worth, Here are The Satellite Awards Nominees! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 2, 2015 at 19:34

  3. […] no!  The Boston Online Critics went for … MAD MAX: FURY ROAD!  According to Awards Circuit, Creed was the runner-up.  (Though, to be clear, the Boston Online Critics definitely did like Spotlight, […]

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    By The Boston Online Film Critics Are Mad for Max!!!! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 5, 2015 at 10:41

  4. […] Best Supporting Actor: Paul Dano (Love & Mercy) Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation) Tom Hardy (The Revenant) Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) Sylvester Stallone (Creed) […]

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    By The Washington D.C. Critics Are Mad About Max! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 6, 2015 at 06:01

  5. […] Best Supporting Actor – Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies (runner-up: Sylvester Stallone, Creed) […]

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    By The Boston Society Of Film Critics Honors Spotlight! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 6, 2015 at 12:03

  6. […] New Generation Award: Ryan Coogler for Creed […]

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    By The Los Angeles Film Critics Association Goes Mad For Max But Even Madder For Spotlight! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 6, 2015 at 15:33

  7. […] Awards season continues!  Earlier today, the African-American Film Critics Association announced their picks for the best of 2015!  They named Straight Outta Compton best picture and gave their best director award to Ryan Coogler for Creed. […]

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    By The African-American Film Critics Association Declares Straight Outta Compton To Be The Best Of 2015! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 7, 2015 at 18:03

  8. […] (The Martian) Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant) Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs) Michael B. Jordan (Creed) Ian McKellen (Mr. […]

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    By Here Are The Online Film Critics Society Nominations and They’re Great! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 7, 2015 at 18:43

  9. […] “Beasts of No Nation” (Netflix) • “Concussion” (Sony Pictures Entertainment) • “Creed” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures) • “Dope” (Open Road Films) • […]

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    By Here Are The NAACP Imagine Award Nominations! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 8, 2015 at 19:00

  10. […] discussion).  The Martian was not nominated for best ensemble or anything else for that matter.  Creed was totally snubbed.  Brooklyn was nominated for actress but not ensemble.  Mad Mad: Fury Road was […]

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    By Here Are The Very Confusing SAG Nominations! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 9, 2015 at 12:53

  11. […] Sylvester Stallone – Creed […]

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    By Here Are The Golden Globe Nominations And Did You Know The Martian’s A Comedy? | Through the Shattered Lens on December 10, 2015 at 16:49

  12. […] “Fighting Stronger” from “Creed” […]

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    By Here Are The 74 Songs Eligible For Best Original Song! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 11, 2015 at 19:18

  13. […] Sylvester Stallone (Creed) […]

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    By And Here Are The San Francisco Film Critics Nominations! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 12, 2015 at 15:08

  14. […] Keaton, Spotlight Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies Michael Shannon, 99 Homes Sylvester Stallone, Creed Jacob Tremblay, […]

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    By And here are the Phoenix Film Critics Nominations! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 12, 2015 at 16:12

  15. […] Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies Michael Shannon, 99 Homes Sylvester Stallone, Creed Tom Hardy, The […]

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    By Here Are The Houston Film Critics Nominations! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 15, 2015 at 09:19

  16. […] Paul Dano, “Love and Mercy” Idris Elba, “Beasts of No Nation” Mark Ruffalo, “Spotlight” Mark Rylance, “Bridge of Spies” Sylvester Stallone, “Creed” […]

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    By Tell Them What You Love, St. Louis Film Critics! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 15, 2015 at 09:42

  17. […] BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Benicio Del Toro–Sicario Sam Elliott–Grandma Mark Rylance–Bridge of Spies Michael Shannon–99 Homes Sylvester Stallone–Creed […]

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    By The Chicago Film Critics Society Rounds Up The Usual Suspects! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 15, 2015 at 09:59

  18. […] Runner-up: Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn Best Supporting Actor Winner: Sylvester Stallone, Creed Runner-up: Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies Best Supporting Actress Winner: Alicia Vikander, Ex […]

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    By The Southeastern Film Critics Celebrate A Film About The Northeast! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 15, 2015 at 10:06

  19. […] BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Paul Dano – Love & Mercy Tom Hardy – The Revenant Mark Ruffalo – Spotlight Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies Michael Shannon – 99 Homes Sylvester Stallone – Creed […]

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    By Mad Max: Fury Road dominates the 21st Annual Critics Choice Nominations! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 15, 2015 at 10:38

  20. […] Tom Hardy, The Revenant Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies Michael Shannon, 99 Homes Sylvester Stallone, Creed […]

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    By Here Are Nominations of the Kansas City Critics! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 16, 2015 at 10:24

  21. […] Cranston, Trumbo Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs Michael B. Jordan, Creed Jacob Tremblay, […]

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    By Austin Loves Carol! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 16, 2015 at 10:56

  22. […] Picture 1. Spotlight 2. Creed 3. Ex Machina 4. Straight Outta Compton 5. Beasts of No […]

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    By The Las Vegas Film Critics Announces A Huge Amount of Nominations! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 16, 2015 at 11:31

  23. […] Best Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone, Creed […]

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    By The Phoenix Critics Circle Circles Around Spotlight! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 16, 2015 at 11:47

  24. […] Supporting Actor of 2015: Sylvester Stallone – CREED Runner Up: Mark Rylance – BRIDGE OF […]

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    By Spotlight Wins In St. Louis! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 20, 2015 at 19:15

  25. […] SUPPORTING ACTOR Winner: Sylvester Stallone – Creed (runner-up: Oscar Isaac – Ex […]

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    By The Utah Film Critics Are Mad About Max!! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 22, 2015 at 18:45

  26. […] Ten List 1 SPOTLIGHT 2 CREED 3 EX MACHINA 4 STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON 5 BEASTS OF NO NATION 6 THE MARTIAN 7 MAD MAX FURY ROAD 8 […]

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    By Spotlight wins in Las Vegas! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 22, 2015 at 18:58

  27. […] BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Oscar Isaac – Ex Machina Mark Ruffalo – Spotlight Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies Michael Shannon – 99 Homes Sylvester Stallone – Creed […]

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    By Here Are The Just-Announced Florida Film Critics Circle Nominations! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 22, 2015 at 19:25

  28. […] Sylvester Stallone in Creed […]

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    By Lisa’s Oscar Predictions For December! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 25, 2015 at 14:01

  29. […] PICTURE Creed BEST DIRECTING – George Miller, Mad Max Fury Road BEST ACTOR – Michael B. Jordan, […]

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    By Awards Season Update: The Black Film Critics Circle Name Creed The Best of 2015! | Through the Shattered Lens on December 31, 2015 at 12:19

  30. […] BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Paul Dano (Love & Mercy) Benicio del Toro (Sicario) Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight) Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) Sylvester Stallone (Creed) […]

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    By The North Carolina Film Critics Association Have Announced Their Nominees For The Best of 2015 | Through the Shattered Lens on December 31, 2015 at 12:44

  31. […] went with Spotlight, just like everyone else.  However, Michael B. Jordan did win best actor for Creed so there was at least […]

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    By The National Society Of Film Critics Honors Spotlight! | Through the Shattered Lens on January 3, 2016 at 22:44

  32. […] -Benicio Del Toro, Sicario -Tom Hardy, The Revenant -Oscar Isaac, Ex Machina -Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight -Sylvester Stallone, Creed […]

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    By The Central Ohio Film Critics Have Announced Their Nominations! | Through the Shattered Lens on January 3, 2016 at 23:21

  33. […] Michael B. Jordan – CREED […]

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    By The Seattle Film Critics Survey Is Mad For Max! We Love You, Seattle! | Through the Shattered Lens on January 4, 2016 at 22:14

  34. […] Best Supporting Actor — Sylvester Stallone in Creed […]

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    By Here’s What Won At The Golden Globes! | Through the Shattered Lens on January 10, 2016 at 20:44

  35. […] Creed […]

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    By 2015 In Review: Lisa Picks The 30 Best Films of 2015! | Through the Shattered Lens on January 11, 2016 at 17:52

  36. […] To New York Johnny Depp in Black Mass Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant Michael B. Jordan in Creed *Jacob Tremblay in […]

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    By What If Lisa Had All The Power And Picked The Oscar Nominees: 2015 Edition | Through the Shattered Lens on January 13, 2016 at 08:01

  37. […] Picture.  No Carol.  No Ex Machina.  No Sicario or Inside Out.  No Straight Out Of Compton, Creed, or Beasts of No Nation.  Is The Martian the only best picture winner to even have more than one […]

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    By Here Are The Oscar Nominees! | Through the Shattered Lens on January 14, 2016 at 08:22

  38. […] BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – Sylvester Stallone, “Creed” […]

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    By Here Are The 21st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards Winners! | Through the Shattered Lens on January 19, 2016 at 13:09

  39. […] Should and Will Win: Sylvester Stallone, Creed […]

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    By Lisa’s Oscar Predictions | Through the Shattered Lens on February 27, 2016 at 20:09

  40. […] The Razzie Redeemer Award (honoring former Razzie champs who subsequently redeemed themselves): Sylvester Stallone, from all-time Razzie champ to Creed […]

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    By Here Are The Boring Razzie Winners! | Through the Shattered Lens on February 28, 2016 at 01:34

  41. […] and, no offense meant to Rylance, but it was hard not to wish that the award had instead gone to Creed‘s Sylvester Stallone.  Stallone, no matter what you may think of the majority of his films, […]

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    By A Few Final Thoughts On The 88th Academy Awards… | Through the Shattered Lens on February 28, 2016 at 23:53

  42. […] professional and getting a chance to fight a contender feels just as implausible here as it did in Creed.  The difference is that Creed was a great movie so it did not matter if it was implausible.  To […]

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    By A Movie A Day #164: Split Decisions (1988, directed by David Drury) | Through the Shattered Lens on June 21, 2017 at 15:00

  43. […] back in 2015, Creed was a huge surprise, a Rocky spin-off that paid homage to the films that came before it while, at […]

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    By Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone Return In The Trailer for Creed II! | Through the Shattered Lens on June 20, 2018 at 10:58

  44. […] first Creed was a boxing film that was so good that even a non-boxing fan like me could enjoy […]

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    By Here’s The Trailer for Creed II | Through the Shattered Lens on September 26, 2018 at 21:09

  45. […] the first two Creed films are also available to stream on Prime.  Creed (2015) featured perhaps Sylvester Stallone’s best performance as Rocky Balboa.  Creed II (2018) […]

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    By 20 Films For The Weekend (9/5/25) | Through the Shattered Lens on September 5, 2025 at 05:05

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