The Creed saga has been one of the best spin-off franchises ever to grace the silver screen, and it's tall order to follow in the footsteps of one of the best sport dramas ever made in the history of Hollywood cinema. After two impactful films that introduced us to Adonis Creed and literally passed the torch from longtime protagonist Rocky Balboa, Michael B. Jordan returns once again as Apollo Creed's son - and this time he also makes his directorial debut for the third installment aptly titled as "Creed III".
Thanks to Warner Bros. Philippines and SM Cinema, I got to see the film last night in IMAX over at SM North EDSA! As a first time director, it's double duty for Michael B. Jordan as he not only has to act and play the lead but also guide a whole production process as well. It may seem like a tall order, but the 36-year old actor actually presents a worthwhile sequel that not only presents Adonis at the peak of his boxing career but also introducing another part of his past he can't run from in the form of a childhood friend turned adversary played by the talented Jonathan Majors.
Straightforward and pretty much Jordan's love letter to the Rocky spin-off franchise as well as all things anime, Creed III succeeds in sticking to a round-a-bout story of a man who confronts one part of his past he long thought forgotten until it literally shows up in his doorstep. Riding high just after making his very impressive debut as Kang The Conqueror in Ant-Man and The Wasp, Jonathan Majors is the perfect rival to Michael's Adonis Creed. The two practically grew up as brothers and are now at odds after Donnie gives his old friend a shot at the title and he wins it through deception and treachery. It's the tried and true Rocky formula of the underdog coming out on top - except now it's someone who's like a combination of Clubber Lang and Balboa's former and ungrateful protege Tommy Gunn. Even though he is retired and enjoying raising a daughter with his wife Bianca, Donnie must once again step into the ring to exorcise his own demons and fight a battle of redemption and closure against a brother turned enemy.
Even without Sylvester Stallone's presence as Rocky, Michael B. Jordan shines through as actor and director for his third outing as Apollo Creed's son in "Creed III". If you started the young fighter's journey with the first film in 2015 and followed things up with the sequel in 2018, it's going to be a straightforward, impactful, and emotional ride that packs a punch and is a true successor to the Rocky series through and through. Donnie has stepped out of his mentor's shadow, and it truly is his time to shine with his own journey and story.
It's been three long years since the young and energetic Adonis Johnson Creed stepped into the boxing ring and carried on the torch passed on by his mentor/ "Unc" Rocky Balboa in 2015's "Creed" - the very first spin-off film of the long running "Rocky" film franchise and one that follows the career and journey of a new fighter who inherits two legacies from two former rivals turned friends. The first film's director, Ryan Coogler of "Black Panther" fame, made a daring attempt at continuing the Rocky Saga through fresh eyes - this time through the late Apollo Creed's son and how he rose through a huge challenge to carve his own legacy while honoring his father's at the same time.
Fast forward to 2018, and a sequel that was only natural to happen comes forth delivering not just the next chapter for Adonis Creed, but also a fight that acts as continuation of the fight that took his father's life and changed his mentor Rocky Balboa forever. "Creed II" pits the young boxer against Viktor Drago - son of "Rocky IV" antagonist and Russian Boxer Ivan Drago - the man who killed Apollo Creed in an Exhibition Match 33 years ago. After climbing to the top of the mountain and becoming WBO Champion, Donnie's life turns upside down with this very personal challenge - one that complicates his progression as a fighter and soon to be husband and father. As his girlfriend/ fiancee Bianca becomes pregnant with his child and his relationship with his "Unc" Rocky becomes strained over choosing to fight the Dragos, Creed must learn to rise beyond his own demons and his father's shadow to fight for what is more important in his life than anything else.
2015 is drawing to a close, and by the time this post is up, it will certainly be something to remember and honor with so many stuff that's happened throughout the year that I am deeply happy and honored to experience and witness.
The picture above is my collage of cosplay events and activities that have seen me step up the game and take on new roles, as well as keeping things up as a certain Dark Knight, aiming higher as the Emerald Archer of Star City, weaving the web of destiny with fellow Webheads, and so much more. Along with a new Star Wars film ushering in a new saga for a new generation and getting to cosplay Luke Skywalker, there's a ton to be happy about 2015.
For now, this list will concentrate on some of the things I enjoyed in 2015 - namely TV, Movies, Games, and Comic Books!
I. BEST 2015 TV SHOW - Arrow & The Flash (aka The CW DC TV Universe)
Technically "ONE BIG SHOW" as Arrow star and "Green Arrow" himself Stephen Amell describe, The CW has been hitting it strong by delivering an awesome duo combination of new seasons for "The Flash" and "Arrow", weaving together a cohesive universe where DC fans can witness the Scarlet Speedster and Emerald Archer dish out superheroics and justice... And come 2016, a new spinoff with a unique set of time-travelling heroes joins them in "DC's Legends of Tomorrow"!
II. BEST 2015 MOVIE - CREED
While the return of the Star Wars saga with "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" certainly felt awesome and the numbers are raking in each with by the billions, I am certainly a "quality over quantity" kind of film viewer, and "Creed" took my breath away with its ability to show that truly "your legacy is more than a name" and the story of the underdog "going the distance" started by Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa films can continue on with Michael B. Jordan's stellar performance as Adonis Johnson Creed, the son of Rocky's late boxing rival and friend, Apollo Creed.
This movie is just pure gold. It deserves as Oscar just for being that good.
III. BEST 2015 VIDEO GAME - Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
A HIDEO KOJIMA GAME.
That's pretty much how much I enjoyed this game, and while I feel cheated that it lacked substance thanks to the pressures and inconsiderate nature of Konami, I still have to tip my hat off to creator Hideo Kojima and his team for giving us what is truly Tactical Espionage Operations redefined. Play this in the PS4 for 60 fps goodness... And "V Has Come To" is just begging to be experience.
IV. BEST COMIC BOOK - Batman (Jim Gordon as Batman saga)
Now I certainly DID NOT EXPECT THIS.
Following the climactic "EndGame" storyline that presumably saw the end of Bruce Wayne's career as Batman and the end of The Joker, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo turn things 180 degrees and introduce a new kind of Dark Knight for a Gotham City that still needs him... And it's none other than the Caped Crusader's old ally in the GCPD, James Gordon. Giving up the commissioner role and training his body to fit the job that only he could understand, this reverse dynamic is probably one of the best twists since Dick Grayson and Damien Wayne became the new Dynamic Duo in Morrison's Batman, and oh Jim has a Bat armor he uses and calls "Rookie".
V. BEST SONG - "Hotline Bling" Drake's latest is just amusing because it's Meme Worthy.XD
And that about wraps it... THANK YOU 2015!!! Prepare for 2016 everybody!
