A Movie Review: Creed

Creed. Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) has a troubled youth. But then fate arrives. Mary Anne Creed (Phylicia Rashad), wife of former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, arrives at a youth facility. Adonis is not her son. Apollo had an extramarital affair and Adonis is his son. So because of this relationship, she takes him in.

The movie fast forwards to Adonis as a young adult. He has a solid job at a Los Angeles financial firm. Yet, he wants to be a boxer like his father. During the weekends, he heads down to Mexico for boxing bouts. After a string of victories, he decides to resign from his job and make boxing his career. Mary Anne is furious and a local boxing training camp in Los Angeles refuses to train him.

He decides to head to Philadelphia and see if he can convince Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) to train him. Rocky resists, but is eventually convinced to become his trainer. Word eventually gets out that Adonis is Apollo's son. Adonis is then given a chance to fight the current light heavyweight champion Conlan (Tony Bellew). It might seem ridiculous for a new comer to be given a chance to fight the current champion; however, the current champion due to his crazy lifestyle is facing time in prison, which will essentially end his boxing career. Also, a planned fight was cancelled because the challenger broke his hand. So he desperately wants one last fight before heading off to prison.

This is a great movie that provides homage to the Rocky movies, but at the same time hands the reins over to (should he want it) Michael B. Jordan. There is the catch the chicken scene. There is a photo of Rocky with his young son, who now lives in Vancouver. There is a scene of bikers (not young kids), surrounding Adonis as he is out running.

I'm not saying this is an Oscar worthy film, but it is a solid popcorn movie.

And the 1st or 2nd sequel will probably have Conlan getting an early release from prison and challenging a cocky new champion Creed to a re-match.