Creed

[Jayman]

Great movie. Formulaic but extremely well-acted (Stallone's nuanced performance especially) with outstanding camerawork & choreography.
Fantastic choice in appointing Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler to inherit the reins of this franchise.

8/10

[jimibaboza]

Agreed. Great film. Stallone was superb. It is easy to forget that he is a good dramatic actor.

If anything I would say that the scenes with the love interest went on a bit too long. I would have preferred it if the "villain" boxer was given more scenes to flesh him out more.

[redgrant]

Annoyingly the film never made it to East Dulwich PH - something we were only told after queuing and getting comfy in our seats. Free teas, coffees and complimentary vouchers were dished out. Doubtless these will be used for chewy and Han solo.

[kevinknapman]

A continuation of the Rocky series, this was a film that could have gone two ways.
As another entry in a franchise that is slightly past its sell-by date with a lead actor whose other high profile acting role this year was in a superhero turkey.
Alternatively it could result in a fresh spin on an old formula from a director and actor whose previous collaboration was an impressive, highly regarded indie debut.
Thankfully and perhaps against the odds, the latter is what we get.
Though it certainly doesn't reinvent the boxing movie and reuses a lot of genre cliches along the way, there's a lot to admire in Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler's script and direction.
Closer in spirit and tone to the first Rocky film and mercifully free of the cartoonish elements that marred much of the middle instalments, there's a refreshing, truthful and often emotional edge on display here.

Coogler keeps things unflashy for the most part, kicking it up a gear for a couple of impressive fight scenes. An early fight in particular, plays out in a single unbroken take. The final bout, though more conventionally shot, is also very good.

Michael B Jordan impresses as the son of Apollo Creed, determined to fight his way out of the shadow of a father he never met, but oddly the real revelation is Stallone himself who has a couple of scenes alongside Jordan that are as good as anything he's done in years. As with Copland back in the 90s, it's a reminder that Stallone can act when he wants to, given a decent script and director. He's never going to be a truly great actor, but he has some genuinely thrilling moments here.
The only shame is regarding its female cast. Both Phylicia Rashad and Tessa Thompson start off with interesting multi-layered characters but end up relegated to the more usual worried onlooker role by the time the final fight arrives.
Thompson in particular, deserves better, having been so good in Dear White People.

Despite that, Creed rarely puts a foot wrong. It's only jarring moment, especially for UK viewers perhaps, is its choice of venue for the final showdown with Liverpudlian fighter 'Pretty' Ricky Conlan (played with arrogant swagger by real life boxer Tony Bellew). Eschewing the familiar and usual Las Vegas venues for the considerably less glamorous Goodison Park (god knows what Everton fans will make of the lone Liverpool scarf-waving fan who conspicuously pops up in the background in several shots).

That decision aside (the one time Stallone's presence as producer feels most dominant, having had an association with Everton for several years), Creed is surprisingly good entertainment. It also marks Coogler as a director to watch, as comfortable and assured on a bigger budget project as he was on a small indie (and if you haven't seen Fruitvale Station you really should).

[RevKeith39]

Not having seen any Rocky movie (no, honest) I really enjoyed this. Ok, it's predictable and cliched but it's really well made and acted. Stallone is a revelation. 9/10

Now, a plea. When the film is over and the credits roll SOME OF US LIKE TO READ THEM! So would people be considerate and not stand up immediately, chat and giggle loudly and then refuse to move when politely asked to!!!

[kevinknapman]

Now, a plea. When the film is over and the credits roll SOME OF US LIKE TO READ THEM! So would people be considerate and not stand up immediately, chat and giggle loudly and then refuse to move when politely asked to!!!

Amen to that, though I had a totally new experience at the Creed screening yesterday. The guy who'd been sitting next to me throughout the film took photos of the end credits with his phone (and used the flash).

[Jayman]

Amen to that, though I had a totally new experience at the Creed screening yesterday. The guy who'd been sitting next to me throughout the film took photos of the end credits with his phone (and used the flash).

I also noticed that at the Genesis (I was just one row in front). That's the first time I'd ever seen anyone do that.

[elski]

Amen to that, though I had a totally new experience at the Creed screening yesterday. The guy who'd been sitting next to me throughout the film took photos of the end credits with his phone (and used the flash).

I also noticed that at the Genesis (I was just one row in front). That's the first time I'd ever seen anyone do that.

Maybe it was his name appearing? Or a friends, or someone that likes to edit imdb.

[The Sparrow]

Not having seen any Rocky movie (no, honest) I really enjoyed this. Ok, it's predictable and cliched but it's really well made and acted. Stallone is a revelation. 9/10

Now, a plea. When the film is over and the credits roll SOME OF US LIKE TO READ THEM! So would people be considerate and not stand up immediately, chat and giggle loudly and then refuse to move when politely asked to!!!

Tell me about it! Stand up and walk out if you want but don't stand up and chat whilst putting your flipping coat on therefore blocking the blooming screen!

[RandomHajile]

Soo good, balboa was always good but outta nowhere he's like some master yoda.

Pretty hard hitting an its a shame it became a bit rocky6 but still better than Star Wars!

A solid 8/10

It's a shame Warner didn't have the balls to release this against Star Wars but comes out 4weeks after