Showing posts with label Stallone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stallone. Show all posts

Jul 1, 2015

"What Did I Just See?": Creed Trailer #1


Well, just like the rest of the internet, I’m going fucking crazy over this Creed trailer. This movie has been on my radar for quite some time, and I’ve been a bit skeptical about it’s existence. All of my doubt has been quelled, and I am now 100% behind this film. It is getting everything right and landing all the punches. Let’s get back up after getting hit by that trailer, and begin to break it down!

What Worked?
Position in This Universe
One of the things I was most worried about was this becoming another Rocky story. I am so done with that character being the center, and I was hoping to see him as a true mentor to Adonis. Luckily, this trailer makes it very clear that Adonis is the star, and Rocky is nothing more than the guide and mentor. There is even a part in the trailer that states, “You legacy is more than your name.” I love this because it is starting us on a new journey with a character that is completely autonomous and not reliant on the history that came before. However, the history and prior movies are just sprinkled into this one which only makes this movie richer. It is the perfect amount of connection to the Rocky movies, while remaining different enough to tell its own story. I couldn’t be more excited for the approach they are taking with this.

Michael B. Jordan
It’s fitting that he’s playing the Human Torch because he is on fucking fire right now! Ever since I saw Fruitvale Station, I had no doubt that he was going to be a super star. He is nothing short of excellent as an actor. He embodies the emotions and lives of each character he portrays. He also has such a sense of realism to him. I truly forget he’s acting when he’s on screen, and I don’t think there is anything greater an actor can do than that. He is so intense and heartfelt in this trailer. There is a hard balance in boxing movies between intensity and heart that the Rocky franchise defined, and it’s great to see that Michael B. Jordan has that same magic that Stallone did back in the day. I have no doubt I will love seeing him perform as much as I did seeing Stallone for my first time in Rocky and the subsequent Rocky films. He had big gloves to fill as a hero for this new take on the franchise, and hasn’t just filled them, but surpassed expectations completely.

Tone
The greatest part of the Rocky franchise has been the feeling of realism and the triumph felt from hard work. When we first see Philly, we are brought back to that blue collar environment where hard work is the only way to work. There is this grittiness (and I mean that in the best way possible) about Philly that just serves as the perfect background for a story of an underdog. The tone is very reminiscent of the original Rocky, without feeling like a carbon copy.

Italian Stallion
Thank you Stallone. Thank you for finally doing what we’ve wanted you to do for so long. You are finally approaching one of your existing franchises in a way that is not only believable but a great fit for where you are in not only your career, but also in your life. It’s great to see you be the mentor you deserve to be. I’m confident, just as you are, that Michael B. Jordan will be a worthy successor to the boxing drama genre that you defined. Thank you for guiding and seeking a man of his talent to reinvigorate the franchise you worked so hard to build.

The Music
I don’t know what song that was, but holy shit was it a great fit for this trailer! The way they synced up beats with the punches was fantastic. I also liked the gradual increase in intensity as tension built up with Adonis’s training. The words also fit the boxing genre. Sometimes music can make or break a trailer, and in this case it helped elevate it even further.

Overall Assessment
I would usually do another section called, “What Didn’t Work?” however this trailer was absolute, solid gold. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this trailer and it didn’t leave me with any expectations unfulfilled. It delivered everything and more that I could hope for. It also got me excited for the film as well as giving me a great general sense of the story. The trailer landed every single punch and has definitely knocked me out!

Score: 10/10 Knockout!

As always, let me know what you thought! Did you like the trailer? Is there anything negative you found in it? How excited for this film are you? Please be sure to comment and be sure to follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey, catch me on MoviePilot.com/HaneyCasey and of course on my website SlackerNerds.com. Thanks for reading!