Creed (2015) Film Synopsis

Introduction

"Creed" is a 2015 American sports drama film directed by Ryan Coogler and written by Coogler and Aaron Covington. It is the seventh installment in the "Rocky" film series and serves as both a spin-off and a sequel to the original "Rocky" franchise.

Plot

The film follows Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the son of former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before Adonis was born. Adonis, who has never met his father, is determined to become a professional boxer and follow in his father's footsteps. However, he struggles to make a name for himself in the boxing world due to his famous last name, and instead spends his days working a desk job in Los Angeles.

After being fired from his job, Adonis moves to Philadelphia, the hometown of his father's friend and former rival, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Adonis convinces Rocky to become his trainer and together, they begin to train for Adonis's first professional boxing match. Adonis also develops a romantic relationship with Bianca (Tessa Thompson), a local singer-songwriter who suffers from progressive hearing loss.

As Adonis prepares for his big fight, he must also confront his own inner demons and the weight of his family legacy. He travels to Tijuana, Mexico to face off against a tough opponent in a street fight, which he wins. However, the fight is caught on video and goes viral, causing Adonis to be disqualified from his upcoming professional match.

Despite this setback, Adonis is determined to continue training and prove himself in the ring. He eventually gets his chance when he is offered a match against "Pretty" Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew), the current heavyweight champion, in Liverpool, England. Adonis and Rocky travel to Liverpool for the match, which proves to be a grueling and intense fight.

Themes

"Creed" touches on several themes, including:

• Legacy: The film explores the weight of family legacy and the pressure to live up to expectations. Adonis struggles to make a name for himself in the boxing world due to his famous last name, and must confront the legacy of his father, who died before he was born.

• Mentorship: The film also explores the importance of mentorship and the role that teachers and coaches play in shaping the lives of young people. Rocky serves as a mentor to Adonis, helping him to overcome his inner demons and become a better boxer.

• Identity: Adonis's journey is also about discovering his own identity and carving out a place for himself in the world. He must grapple with questions of who he is and what he wants, and ultimately find his own path.

Cast

• Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Johnson
• Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa
• Tessa Thompson as Bianca
• Phylicia Rashad as Mary Anne Creed
• Tony Bellew as "Pretty" Ricky Conlan

Reception

"Creed" received critical acclaim upon its release, with particular praise directed at Michael B. Jordan's performance and the film's emotional resonance. The film was nominated for numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Sylvester Stallone.

Conclusion

In the end, Adonis goes the distance with Conlan, but loses the match by a split decision. However, he earns the respect of the boxing community and his family legacy, and is able to reconcile with Rocky, who has been battling cancer throughout the film. "Creed" is a powerful and emotional film about family, legacy, and the pursuit of dreams.

Overall, "Creed" is a powerful and moving film that explores themes of legacy, mentorship, and identity. It is a worthy addition to the "Rocky" franchise, and stands on its own as a powerful story about one young man's journey to find his place in the world.