Film Review - Creed (12A)

One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time.

'A good boxing movie is never really about boxing.'

I said that.

And it's totally true.

Raging Bull, for example, is a critique of Italian-American machismo. The Fighter and Southpaw both deal in their own ways with the tug of familial responsibility. And Rocky IV subtly explores the intricacies of Cold War politics. (Okay - ignore that last one.) 

Creed is an unexpected revival of the Rocky franchise, and at its beating heart the film is about issues of personal identity and cross-generational friendship. Exploring those themes it mines the Rocky mythology deep, and strikes storytelling gold. If you've been following the Italian Stallion since he dragged himself up from the mean streets of Philly back in the '70s, this movie will act as both a nostalgia trip and a gripping original tale.

Michael B. Jordan plays Adonis Johnson, illegitimate son of Rocky's late opponent-turned-friend Apollo Creed. Rescued from juvenile detention and adopted by Apollo's generous-spirited widow, he grows up haunted by thoughts (to say nothing of the fighting spirit) of a father he never knew. When he leaves his wealthy LA home to pursue his own career in boxing, there's one man who he feels is uniquely equipped to train him - the retired Rocky Balboa. 

For those who felt that the Rocky saga slipped too far into self-parody by the time Sylvester Stallone was slugging it out with Dolph Lundgren's Soviet man-machine, rest assured that Creed captures the authenticity of the early films (as did 2006's Rocky Balboa, it should be said). A debt of gratitude is owed to the screenplay here, which riffs on the characters and mythos with wit and warmth. This film is built on forty years' worth of solid foundation and knows it.

Stallone's return to his most iconic role is something to be treasured. By now he's taken Rocky from the vigour of youth to the beaten-up wisdom of later life, and the character fits him like a comfortable old coat. Relative newcomer Jordan meanwhile takes up the mantle of 'young contender with something to prove', and goes about it with a spirit that would make Apollo proud. His fight scenes (including one against a brutal Scouse nemesis in Goodison Park) are shot in unforgivingly long takes. This actor has gone the same route as De Niro, Wahlberg and Gyllenhall before him, and damn well learnt to box. The results make for riveting if wince-inducing viewing.

But as always with Rocky it's the quieter character moments that deliver the real punch. Stallone and Jordan amuse and charm as they move from a purely professional relationship towards something more akin to family, and their friendship's more melodramatic twists could get a film reviewer choked up - trust me on that. Even Adonis' relationship with singer Bianca (the beguiling Tessa Thompson) is more than a token love interest, exhibiting a sweetness reminiscent of Rocky's now legendary romance with his beloved Adrian. 

All that's missing is for the original film's theme to kick in full force as events reach their climax. It can't, however. Rocky has graduated to boxing mentor now and Creed junior must prove worthy of a run up those iconic museum steps accompanied by his own tune. By the time the end credits roll you'll be in little doubt that he's done so.