The Film
Although Michael B. Jordan has gotten a fair amount of acclaim over the years, I still believe he's such an underrated talent. I've only been a fan since his appearances in the TV show, Parenthood, but the guy showed he was destined for bigger and better things in 2013's Fruitvale Station.
Fantastic Four was definitely bigger, but the Razzie winner certainly wasn't better. Initially, I thought he was headed down a dangerous career path by following up that action flick with the title role in Creed. Boy, was I wrong.
Hear me out, though. At first glance, it was hard to not think of Creed as "Rocky VII." It's rare that a franchise gets a seventh film made, let alone one that's made well. Also, it's been 10 long years since Rocky Balboa. Don't call this a comeback though; this is Creed.
Jordan plays Adonis "Donnie" Johnson, the illegitimate love child of Apollo Creed. After years of spending time in juvie, he's taken in by his father's widow, Mary Ann (Phylicia Rashad). She gives him a good life, but boxing is in his blood. Apparently, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) is also in his blood, so he seeks out the legendary fighter for help.
Of course, it's not just about Creed's rise to a big fight. There's a romantic subplot with aspiring singer/songwriter Bianca (Tessa Thompson), as well as Rocky coming to terms with his age and mortality. It would have been nice if some of that was saved for the next movie, so this film could have shaved a little off the 133-minute runtime.
It's hard to complain, though. Creed isn't a remake or a reboot, but more of an homage. It's a surprisingly good one, too. Jordan is stellar and Stallone earned his first Oscar nomination since the original film. The material is really good as well. Director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station), who co-wrote the script with Aaron Covington, obviously spent a lot of time watching the Rocky films -- or at least the first one. He's put a lot of little nods into this film. He's put a lot of love into it as well.
Now that you've warmed up, get a bigger peek at this film. Check out Tom Fugalli's theatrical review of Creed.
The Picture
As you would expect, Creed is a good looking film. The color palette can be a little dim, but dingy apartment hallways, gyms, and street scenery aren't always bursting with bright colors. When some of those bolder colors do appear, they stand out, especially during the fight scenes. The crowds, the blood, and those American flag boxing shorts all look awesome here. Otherwise, the colors are true and strong, especially in the aforementioned scenery and skintones. Black levels are also deep, and there's a good overall contrast throughout the film. Detail is just as impressive, especially on Stallone's aging face and in that scenery. Those gyms, the fights, and even the streets of Philly all look sharp in this 2.40:1 image. Enjoy.
The Sound
Warner Bros. packed Creed with a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track that delivers dialogue, tons of atmospheric sounds, and a bumping soundtrack. As you may have guessed though, most of the film's standout audio moments occur when our title chatacter is actually in the ring. During Creed's first fight, the crowd is cheering from every angle. However, you can actually hear Rocky coaching from the rear surrounds. Once the action hits London, that crowd is even more immersive, the soundtrack is even louder, Michael Buffer's announcing echoes through the entire soundfield, and the punches pack a wallop. Creed features an entertaining, active track that's a perfect match for the movie.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
Yo, audience! Creed isn't a remake or a reboot. It's an entertaining film that manages to capture the spirit of the 1976 Oscar winner. The disc does have a disappointing collection of extras, but between the movie and the AV, the Creed Blu-ray is a real knockout.
Product Details
Where to Buy:
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