This is a solid racing movie, complete with all the requisite sports montages, lose-win sequences, and family drama that go along with that. Those who like stock car racing will be much more invested, of course, but general audiences will likely have a fun time, too.
Closest comparison: It’s like Ford v Ferrari by way of Top Gun.
Setting: Racing
Plot: Sports
Tone: Sports
This movie is a by-the-numbers sports movie. The performances are really quite good and it tells the historically-centered story aptly, but it doesn’t bring anything more than that. It’s very engaging while you’re watching it, but steadily fades once the show’s over.
Closest comparison: It’s like Remember the Titans by way of Moneyball.
Setting: Sports
Plot: Sports
Tone: Sports
This is THE ‘kid’s got heart’ movie. It’s a straightforward, down-to-earth story of overcoming odds and pursuing a dream, beautifully executed with tangible stakes and devil-may-mock attitude shining in the face of the haters. It confidently executes a by-the-numbers plot, unashamedly reveling in its sincerity and putting in the legwork to make the ending feel earned. There’s no substitute; this film simply does this type of story better than any other.
Closest comparison: It’s like The Pursuit of Happyness by way of Remember the Titans.
Setting: Sports Drama
Plot: Overcoming Adversity
Tone: Inspirational Drama
Don’t get me wrong, this is still a good movie. It’s an interesting logical continuation of the story from Creed and is enjoyable to watch. It almost crested to a 4/5, but there are just too many plot points that never go anywhere and missed opportunities to have really great moments. All of the interesting camera work from the first installment is gone and the writing turns the story into a family drama. The acting is still good but without the subsance there’s no reason to see this movie over any other.
I’m not normally drawn to boxing movies, but there’s nothing to criticize with this one. The story is so strong and the acting is incredible by everyone involved. It’s a very moving, powerful film with a clearly stated central theme and message that avoids being preachy. It avoids the tired manufactured drama of lesser films but lets the story carry itself by the sheer weight of its sincerity. Smartly, the director Ryan Coogler tells the story in a way that the audience doesn’t need to have seen any of the Rocky films to understand everything that’s going on in the story. Absolutely impressive cinematography with more oners than Spielberg and to think about than its predecessors, this film is one of the all-time greats for film snobs and popcorn flick lovers alike.
