Creed

Creed is an incredible legacy sequel. Themes of legacy, legitimacy, race, masculinity, identity, and time are preoccupied by the narrative, providing depth and meaning to this film within the Rocky Franchise.

Time and legitimacy play an interesting role in Creed, with the film itself serving as a metaphor for its relationship with the Rocky franchise, justifying its existence while carving out its own identity and existing in Conversation about the Rocky franchise.

Creed is unapologetically about Black pride and legacy, dealing with the clumsy racial politics of the Rocky franchise, hence updating the Rocky franchise for the 21st century.

Indeed, the film contains a delightful riff on the Rocky run scene; however, it's done through the perspective of black culture and identity. Its progressiveness and racial unity feel in line with Obama-era cinema, which is a key theme in Ryan Coogler's filmography.

Creed is preoccupied with time and legacy. Multiple characters in Creed lament about time and their irrelevance. It could be read as a metaphor about the franchise and Creed's own status as a legacy sequel for a franchise that had wrapped up satisfactorily.

Overall, while Rocky dealt with Cold War politics and the Italian-American white working classism in the 70s, Creed deals with modern-day Black masculinity, avoiding Black stereotypes, and deals with race and classism in the 21st century. It's a winner.

Technically, Creed is exciting. Its direction offers a sombre and melancholic tone and remains cohesive. The dynamic imagery offers lighting, handheld Steadicam techniques, and strives for a documentary approach.

The editing, while providing momentum and pacing, conveys crosscuts, montages, smash cuts, long takes, and fast cuts. The sound design consists of combat, ambiance, and environment-driven soundscape.

The score fuses previous motifs alongside Black hip-hop music, conveying a rich and diverse soundscape. The production design conveys Rust-belt Philadelphia, African-American costume design, boxing sets, and settles for a realism approach.

The casting conveys fit, diversity, and starpower. The effects primarily consist of blood, gore, and crowds, and are primarily used for spectacle. Overall, Creed is an incredible legacy sequel.

Writing: 9/10

Direction: 9/10

Cinematography: 8/10

Acting: 10/10

Editing: 8/10

Sound: 7/10

Score: 9/10

Prod Design: 8/10

Casting: 9/10

Effects: 7/10

OVERALL SCORE: 8.4/10