Creed deserves a box-office win

Moviegoers are right to be skeptical about stepping back into the ring with Rocky, the six-film franchise that took a beating early in the fourth round. But the spirited new Creed will change many minds. In spite of a few weaknesses, which even the best fighters have, Creed prevails as a winner.

Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) is the son of former boxing champion Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa’s opponent in the first two Rocky movies. Conceived during an adulterous affair and born after his father dies, Adonis grows up in trouble with the law. Apollo’s widow (Phylicia Rashad) adopts a teenage Donnie (as Adonis calls himself) and raises him in Southern California affluence. As a young adult, Donnie quits his financial planner day job so he can pursue boxing full-time. He racks up a perfect record but faces opponents south of the border in what are little better than barroom brawls.

Donnie is a hungry fighter but self-taught and far from polished. He moves to Philadelphia and convinces Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) to train him. Donnie wants to continue using his biological mother’s last name so he can forge his own identity.

“I’m not a mistake,” he tells his legendary mentor, whom he calls “Uncle.”

When word gets out that Rocky Balboa has taken Apollo Creed’s son under his wing, offers pour in for fights. Rocky begrudgingly arranges a match for Donnie against the undefeated light heavyweight world champion. With little time to prepare, Rocky hones Donnie’s skills with old-school methods—chasing after chickens and running behind a car. It’s grueling and unorthodox work, but Donnie submits to his instructor’s guidance, understanding he’s learning from the best in the business.

Donnie knows he has big shoes to fill, but Creed (rated PG-13 for violence, language, and some sensuality) has bigger ones yet. By the final bell, though, the film directed by Ryan Coogler has nearly measured up to the original Rocky, the 1976 Oscar winner for best picture. (Coogler’s debut feature film, Fruitvale Station, also starring Jordan, won the 2013 Sundance Grand Jury Prize.)

Creed benefits from an unarmed Stallone character acting his age, even if Rocky’s health issues serve as a predictable prop—as does some forced dialogue. But Jordan looks sharp inside and outside the ropes, and Tessa Thompson (Donnie’s girlfriend, Bianca) stylishly modernizes the Adrian-role. Unfortunately, Creed whiffs on a golden opportunity to stand down from inappropriate sexual intimacy. Two words—“Let’s wait”—from the new superstar would have really packed a punch.

Still, as Rocky’s young protégé shadowboxed his way up Philadelphia side streets for the last time before his title bout, an unexpected elation swept through me. As far as a fictional character can be a hero, our nation right now needs Adonis Creed. By his determination to earn his own seat at the table and his dutifulness toward his “uncle,” the young Creed will inspire fans from coast to coast.