Like many, when
we saw the last Rocky movie back in 2006, we thought this was the end of the
franchise, but I guess the studios still think there is still some milk they
can get from this cow.
Creed (or Rocky
VII) is a movie I watched and thoroughly appreciated. It’s a spin-off from
the Rocky Balboa series and the seventh installment in the Rocky franchise,
with the last being Rocky Balboa (2006) nine years ago. The character
Rocky is undeniably awesome, and when Stallone created him early in his career
while struggling to make it big, I bet he never imagined the series would go
this far.
Stallone has
created a boxing character who will stand as one of the most memorable
fictional fighters in history. Rocky Balboa, “The Italian Stallion,” has a
complete rags-to-riches story with all the twists and turns to make it lovable.
This movie does justice to the series, and in the end, we get to see Donnie and
a frail Rocky climbing the iconic “Rocky Steps” at the entrance of the
Philadelphia Museum of Art. These are the same steps we saw him run up way back
when he was training to take on Apollo Creed, shadowboxing as the camera spun
around him. Now, our hero walks up those famous steps, taking breaks along the
way.
Creed focuses
on Apollo Creed’s illegitimate son, Donnie. Adopted by Apollo’s wife, Mary,
Donnie grows up and gives up his white-collar job to chase his dream of
becoming a boxing champion. He approaches his father’s best friend, Rocky
Balboa, who now runs a restaurant named after his late wife, Adrian. Rocky
agrees to train Donnie, and after Donnie wins his first fight, he’s given a
shot at the title—largely because of his famous last name. Now, Donnie has to
train to win with the help of an old boxer who’s also fighting to stay alive.
Stallone
reprises his role as the legendary Rocky Balboa, and Donnie Creed is played by
Michael B. Jordan. If the name sounds familiar, it should—Jordan was in the
disappointing Fantastic Four (2015), where he played the Human Torch.
Honestly, if it weren’t for Sylvester Stallone, I might not have taken the time
to see this movie, but I’m glad I did.
Both Stallone
and Jordan steal the show, delivering some of the best acting in the series and
making every scene they’re in memorable. This might be the last Rocky film
the 70-year-old Stallone will do, and if so, I’d like to say, “Well done, sir.”
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