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Weird
A few weeks ago, we predicted in our Oscar Grouch column that Creed could be the surprise smash of the season. Ryan Coogler‘s reboot of the Rocky franchise was flying under the radar, but had all the ingredients to not only be a holiday crowd-pleaser but a major Oscar contender. Early reviews have surfaced and it seems — pause for self-congratulatory cackling — we were right. Variety, Uproxx, and more are touting Creed as a brilliant film that lives up to the first Rocky‘s legacy and is poised to push for some Oscar nominations.
The film stars Michael B. Jordan as Adonis “Donny” Creed, the illegitimate son of Rocky’s one-time rival and then best friend Apollo Creed. Adonis is drawn to the ring, but scared of being killed in the ring like his father. What scares him more? Not living up to his father’s reputation. Sylvester Stallone returns as Rocky Balboa and serves as Adonis’s coach and father figure.
If you still aren’t convinced by all the buzz, here are five reasons why Creed is about to knock you out.
It recaptures the spirit of the original 'Rocky'
When you think of Rocky, do you think of a gorgeously gritty ode to the human spirit or bombastic Cold War propaganda? The original Rocky was a beautiful character study of working class Philadelphians who risk it all to follow their dreams. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1976 (beating out All The President’s Men, Network, and Taxi Driver)! However after that critical acclaim, the series went totally and utterly commercial. Stallone took over the director’s chair and turned Rocky into an almost super-human hero. The films are fun, but undeniably cheesy. Creed, however, is a return to the franchise’s original tone. It’s focuses on the hearts of some lost souls trying to find themselves.
Director Ryan Coogler knows what he's doing
What elevates Creed above most of the other Rocky sequels is its director, Ryan Coogler. Coogler first caught the attention of critics with his heart-wrenching indie festival fave Fruitvale Station (pictured above). The film followed the final day in the life of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old black man gunned down during tragic conflict with police. Michael B. Jordan starred as Grant and Coogler deftly directed the young star to some of the best reviews of his career — thus solidifying a great partnership between the up-and-coming actor and director.
It's finally Michael B. Jordan's time to shine
Earlier this year, actor Ryan Reynolds told the press that he thought the worst part about the recent Fantastic Four film fizzling was that while Miles Teller was assured another shot at stardom, Michael B. Jordan might not get another chance in whitewashed Hollywood. Well, Reynolds was wrong. Creed is going to give the endlessly talented Jordan his major shot at the Hollywood A-list — and by all accounts the actor delvers. He not only has to carry the emotional weight of the film, but sell himself as a legitimate heir to Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky throne. Fantastic Four is not going to be the end of Michael B. Jordan’s career, but rather an offbeat footnote.
It's the rare holiday film that has something for everyone
Creed is opening on Thanksgiving weekend, a time when families have to come together for a few days of tense turkey eating. What breaks up the drama? Going to the movies. While The Good Dinosaur will appeal to the kiddies and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II will get the teens (and people who like to watch stuff geared for teens), Creed breaks generational boundaries. Your grandpa and uncle will want to see Rocky back in action and the younger crowd is going to latch onto Jordan’s boundless charm. There’s romance, drama, and a ton of epic fight scenes. In short, it’s packs the rare one-two punch of newness and nostalgia (and it crosses over across racial boundaries with its multiethnic cast).
Rocky's sick!
Just as Adonis Creed must battle his way past the pressure of his father’s legacy, Rocky has to face his own struggle. That’s right; Rocky Balboa is very, very sick. So sick that it looks like he might die. Rocky is an iconic American hero and if he dies, you can guarantee that people will be devastated and that Stallone will scoop up an Oscar nomination.
Creed opens in cinemas on November 25.
