Creed

Let me start by saying how much I love the Rocky series! Growing up I watched the movies a lot with my dad. So, I'm up for checking out any movie Sly Stallone is in. I wasn't the biggest fan of Rocky Balboa; sometimes you can't neatly wrap up an iconic series. Sometimes, it really does have to end. So, while I was skeptical about the new Creed movie, I really did want to like it. So, over spring break I finally saw it.

The story line is unique; the deceased legend, Apollo Creed has an illegitimate son, Adonis. He fights his way through foster homes and juvenile detention; becoming hardened. In a plot twist I'd never expect, Apollo's widow adopts and raises Adonis as her own in a lavish mansion. He grows up, has a good job and gets a promotion, but he's most passionate about his side gig as a boxer. He does well in that arena and soon quits his job, to his mom's disappointment.
The first gym he visits knows about his family ties and won't give him a chance. He moves to Philly, looks up Rocky, introduces himself, and asks Rocky to train him. Rocky says no, so Adonis trains himself at a local boxing gym. There no one knows him or pays him any attention.

He lives in an empty studio apartment with neighbors who blare their music so loud he can't sleep. He knocks on their door and is surprised to be met by a beautiful girl. He talks to her about the noise, but nothing changes. They get to know each other over time and he learns that she's a singer with progressive hearing loss. They fall in love; no shock.

He battles on in his workouts. He asks Rocky for some "quick hands" drills. Rocky says no, but then gives Creed some workout suggestions. Adonis gets to work on the new drills.
Finally Rocky comes to the gym. Everyone greets him with lots of fanfare, then everyone sees that he's there for Adonis. So people start noticing Adonis and how well he's doing. The gym owner wants to have a match between his talented son and Adonis. Next thing you know, they're training for the fight, which he wins. That win draws the attention of promoters looking for a match for their hot-headed Irish fighter, "Pretty" Ricky Conlan. Conlan had another match, but at the press conference he broke the jaw of his opponent. So, they set their eyes on Adonis. Soon, everyone learns that he's Creed's son. His mom is against the fight.

Meanwhile, Rocky's health takes a dive. He gets diagnosed with cancer. The doctor recommends treatment, but he saw Adrian go through all that only to die, so he denies treatment. Adonis learns of Rocky's cancer and wants him to fight it. They decide they'll both fight to win; Adonis against Conlan and Rocky against cancer. The side effects are brutal, but Adonis is there for Rocky.

They make it to London for Adonis's fight. His mom sends American flag boxing shorts with his last names on them. The American flag design is just like his dad always wore. The fight is brutal from the start. The crowd favors "Pretty" Ricky. Adonis takes some hard hits. Rocky struggles to know if he should call off the fight as Adonis's eye swells shut, but he lets it go. Adonis makes a strong comeback, maximizing on Ricky's weak areas. What's the result? "Pretty" Ricky wins and Adonis gains respect and a name for himself.

I guess, if this is the series end, it's a good one. Or will this be a new angle and the first of many more movies? I'm not quite sure. I didn't love this movie like I did all the Rocky movies. It felt like it was missing something.