Boxing films are as old as cinema but this one take shot from Ryan Coogler's Creed, the 7th film in the Rocky franchise, is for my money, the best boxing match ever filmed. Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) vs Leo "The Lion" Sporino (real life pugilist Gabriel Rosado). Adonis is the son of Apollo, Rocky Balboa's first big opponent and now he wants to train with the man who once took down his father. It's time for his first professional competition. I know it's sacrilege to put this above Raging Bull but just watch it and marvel in it. A 4 minute 30 second shot that takes in a full match from it's rocky (hehe) start to that blistering combination of left uppercut and right hook that finishes it.
There's an argument to be made that this type of film making is showing off but when it's this well done who cares. It's a technical wonder that amazingly only took 13 takes to capture. The camera bobbing and weaving like the fighters, the swings, the misses, the stunning jabs and devastating hooks, Michael B. Jordan never breaking character, director Coogler never cutting away from the action, a seriously ballsy move for a director only on his second film, fully immersing us in Adonis's first major fight. And unlike other one take shots it does actually move the story forward as we see Adonis gaining confidence as the seconds tick away, we see his weaknesses that Leo exploits (that telegraphed hook) and then falls victim to. And it's also the moment the franchise leaves Rocky's hands and becomes all about a young man instead. He's in charge now, Rocky's a disembodied voice shouting encouragement from behind the ropes. But still when the fight is over and Leo bleeds in his corner we still get to to see Rocky checking on him. It's these little moments of humanity that ensure a 44 year old series is still going strong with Creed III on the way soon.
I can't wait.
No comments:
Post a Comment