What is there left to say about Creed? The film has been praised to the highest of heights, and sides have been taken. There should be no controversy left, yet there are plot twists in the plot itself—spoiler alert for those who didn’t see the movie.
Creed 1
Mary Anne Creed Adopts Adonis “Donnie” Johnson
Thirteen years after Apollo’s tragic death, Mary Anne Creed discovers that her dead husband had a child from an extramarital affair. Many women in her position would have stepped away from the situation and lived a separate and quiet life, but Mary Anne does the unexpected; she adopts the illegitimate child and loves him like he were her own.
Donnie Leaves a Stable and Cushy Job to Join an Unpredictable path of Boxing
Donnie grows up and gets a job at a securities firm, only to leave it to pursue his dream of being a boxer. When he tells Mary Anne, she vehemently opposes his decision reminding him that his father had died in the ring. She wonders why Donnie would choose the same profession that killed his father. Her frustrations cause her to refuse to give him her blessings, and she cuts off communications with him.
Donnie Seeks Help from the Legendary Rocky Balboa
At first, he attempts to gain admission to the prestigious Delphi Boxing Academy in Los Angeles, thinking that he will get accepted due to his family connections, but he is turned down.
Still determined to be trained, Donnie turns to the most unlikely person for help. He travels to Philadelphia to meet his father’s old nemesis/friend, Rocky Balboa. Rocky is reluctant at first but finally agrees.
And just like that, Donnie is trained by his father’s rival.
Rocky reveals that Creed was the One Who Won the Match and Not him
As Donnie and Balboa quickly become friends, Balboa admits to Donnie that his father (Apollo) had won the fight, despite dying in the ring. It was unfortunate that it was not publicly acknowledged.
Donnie Uses an Alias Name in his First
Instead of using his father’s well-known name, Donnie chooses a different name, “Hollywood Donnie.” Hoping to forge his path. However, his secret identity doesn’t last long, and by his first match, which he wins, it is revealed through digital media that he is Creed’s illegitimate son.
Donnie’s first Big Fight
Rocky receives a call from the promoters of World Light Heavyweight Champion “Pretty” Ricky Conlan, who is facing a prison sentence that will force him to retire. He says he’ll make Donnie his final opponent if he changes his name to Adonis “Hollywood Donnie” Creed. Donnie hesitates but eventually agrees.
Rocky’s Illness
Rocky discovers he has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He refuses chemotherapy, recalling how it failed to save his wife from ovarian cancer. Along with Adrian, Apollo, and his old trainer Mickey Gold mill’s deaths, Rocky looks tired and defeated and accepts his fate. Donnie still begs him to seek help.
Donnie Wears a Uniform Similar to the One His Father Wore While Fighting “Pretty”
Mary Anne finally comes around despite her initial solid objections. She sends him American flag trunks as a gift, similar to those his father wore and Rocky later on. She also watches the match on television and is pleased that he is the first person to knock “Pretty “Ricky down.
Donnie Loses the Match by a Split Decision
By this stage of the movie, everyone is cheering for the underdog, who happens to be Donnie. In most Hollywood movies, the underdog wins.
Unfortunately, this is one of those few upcoming movies that give you one of the biggest plot twists. Donnie loses the match on a technicality just like his father Apollo had won his match against Rocky by a technicality.
But don’t worry. “Pretty” Ricky is a decent guy who appreciates Donnie’s skill and technique in the ring. He tells Donnie that he will soon be great. This leaves the audience cheering for both the winner and his opponent in the end.
As they say in the movie, Conlin won the fight, but Donnie won the Night.”
Touching End Scene
It’s a sorrowful ending when the son of Rocky’s most significant rival cum friend takes a slow walk up the Philadelphia Museum of Art stairs. The movie magically comes back full circle as the movie mashes up with the iconic stair climbing scene from the original Rocky movie.
Creed
Donnie Chooses to Fight the Son of the Boxer Who Fought and Killed His Father
The biggest irony in the movie is when sons, just like their fathers, are set out to fight in a match like no other. Mary Anne, who had begun to warm up to the idea of Donnie being a boxer, strongly opposes the thought of her son fighting the son of the man who killed her husband. This match, in the beginning, strains her relationship with her son, but in the end, this exact match brings them together.
A Must-watch Movie for All
The movie can make you laugh, cry, and laugh again. The actors selected for their roles did a fantastic job. Because of that, the story becomes enthralling. The numerous unexpected twists add spice to the story and make the audience watch it without stopping.
