Creed (2015) Review

I honestly think this has been the best movie of the decade, so far. The basic premise is that Adonis Creed, Apollo Creed's son (who fought Rocky in the first two movies and died fighting Ivan Drago in IV) doesn't like where's he's at with his life, in an office job, and sets out for Philadelphia to find Rocky, his father's long-time rival and friend. When he gets there, we find out that Paulie has now since passed away (even though Burt Young is still alive and well). After Rocky realizes who he is, he agrees to get some help for him, though he eventually takes it upon himself to help train Creed, who once to build up his own legacy, apart from his father's. We get a few technology jokes because Rocky, and Sylvester Stallone in real life is now in his 60's, and it fits in pretty well. Along the way of living in Paulie's old bedroom, we meet a love interest, though unlike Adrian she doesn't play that much of a role in the film, but with good intentions she helps later on. While training him, Rocky gets symptoms and goes to the doctor, only to get diagnosed with leukemia, the same illness that claimed the life of his wife a few years prior to Rocky Balboa (2006). However, he doesn't tell Adonis, and he finds out from a few pamphlets he sees in Rocky's jacket. Rocky doesn't care about getting treatment, because that's what killed his wife. However, seeing as how they made great progress, he agrees to get treatment so long as they go up against Ricky Conlan, where they fight at his last fight before he goes to prison. Conlan wins by split decision, similar to how Apollo won by split decision in the first movie (which is what I want to talk about next) but Donnie gains the adoration of the crowd, and Conlan, who calls him the future of the light heavyweight division. Back home in Philly, a frail but improving Rocky and Donnie climb the stairs of the Philadelphia Art Museum...

Verdict: Essentially, this movie is a remake of the first Rocky (1976) movie, which is one of the most universally acclaimed movies of all time. What hit home about this movie, is that during this time, my (favorite) aunt had leukemia, and she was going under treatment. Now unfortunately she passed away a few months ago, and since then it's been like a big chunk of my heart has been thrown away, but that's besides the point. The point is, at the end of the movie, it's never said if Rocky survives chemotherapy. That really hit home, and since cancer is one of the lose widespread and devastating illnesses of all time, it definitely knew how to gain a few points. The fact that Rocky is a relatable character; a rags to riches story, but now Rocky lost many people and things he loved, which makes him even more of a relatable character now that these recent events have been going on in my life (no I don't have cancer, but it's affected my family more than once, and this recent one has really got me in the dumps) which is why I give this movie a 10/10. I think it deserves more credit than it got.