On Wednesday, November 11th, 2 members of the Blood Money Boxing team (Jarrett Bato and yours truly) were treated to a sneak-peak screening of the upcoming movie “Creed”, the new Rocky-esque Sylvester Stallone film. The protagonist is portrayed by Santa Ana California’s own (woop woop!) Michael Bakari Jordan as Adonis Johnson Creed, the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed. Peep the trailer here: Creed Trailer

This movie takes you through the typical hero’s journey, starting from Adonis’ youth home/juvenile hall fighting days all the way to his big fight. It’s over 2 hours of fluid dialogue, the required training montages, a side love story, and Rocky Balboa’s own personal struggles. There are also some notable boxing cameos that boxing fans will be able to catch. Still, all of this doesn’t detract from Adonis’ quest, his determination to pave his own way by fighting under his mother’s name (Johnson) instead of riding his father’s fame, and ultimately to prove to the world that he is not a mistake. It all comes full-circle in the end, classic Rocky fodder. The main fight brought back memories of Rocky v Drago. It’s that good!

One of the most exciting aspects of this movie is the cinematography. Instead of cutting the fight scene from various cameras, causing a mild case of nausea, you are treated to a sort of view that only boxing refs get to see: a 360 degree camera circling around the fighters. This camerawork immerses you in the fights, making things up-close and personal, and brings you to the edge of your seat.

What was extraordinarily unique about the film is the realism bestowed upon the boxer as gifted, but unrefined Adonis Creed. The movie thankfully allows Michael B. Jordan to naturally box in his own style, from his first brutish fights in Mexico, to him being studious in learning the ropes, abiding by the Rocky training bible. Adonis portrayed a great boxer-puncher, with enough grace and smarts to dance and tangle up his opponent, but willing to dig deep and take one to lay one even harder. Sylvester Stallone was immense even though he played a supporting role, his kind but firm guidance cultivating the raw confidence of Adonis. One step, one punch, one round at a time.

We were quite pleased with the movie. The movie has a little bit of everything, some funny moments, some a bit more somber, and some that will make you feel for the characters and bring you into their world. I won’t give away anything, but I think that Stallone has another franchise in his hands.

‘Creed’ premiers November 25th, 2015 at a theater near you!

Rating: 9 rounds out of 12