Creed Blu-ray Review

Maryse Alberti's cinematography for "Creed," leveraged by Coogler's directional mastery, offers a visual treat in Warner Bros.' 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray. The film was shot on the Arri Alexa, which preserves fine details and textures, providing a filmic quality despite its digital origin. Clarity is paramount, with beads of sweat, rippling muscles, and the shimmering texture of Adonis' American flag shorts vividly rendered. Wide-angle shots exhibit exceptional depth of field and texture, enhancing the viewing experience akin to looking through a window. The realistic palette faithfully represents both the urban grit of Philadelphia and the warmer scenes within Bianca's apartment and Rocky's home.

Black levels are deep and in check throughout, offering excellent delineation in low-lit scenes, boosting perceptibility. Shadows remain dark but never crushing, providing a balanced contrast that enhances the film's dynamic range. Despite the film being digitally shot, there is an absence of harshness, noise, or artifacts. The transfer maintains clean and pristine video quality. Each of Adonis' fights is uniquely styled, with the climactic bout reminiscent of cable TV sports coverage, amplifying the red, white, and blue hues of the challenger’s trunks. Colors are meticulously reproduced—rich and bold when necessary, such as during fight scenes, but muted and sterile during training sequences to reflect the narrative's mood shifts.

Although Warner’s use of a middling bitrate (24.99 Mbps) is a minor downside, the compression job is handled competently, with an average of 10 GB of unused space on the BD-50. Overall, this doesn't detract from the stunning visual presentation filled with minute details like the crags in Stallone’s face to the aged decor of Philadelphia locales, providing a nuanced and immersive visual experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 channel soundtrack of "Creed" delivers an exceptional auditory experience that melds crystal-clear dialogue, robust dynamics, and an engaging surround mix. This audio track masterfully utilizes spatial dimensions and discrete directional sounds to create a realistic and occasionally immersive environment. The strategic use of low-frequency effects underscores dramatic moments with a resonating punch, while the integration of Ludwig Göransson's score seamlessly transitions between energetic pop and hip-hop songs, and emotional bluesy numbers. The soundtrack's dynamic range is commendable, handling everything from Stallone's gruff yet intelligible dialogue to the rumble of synth bass with precision.

The fight scenes are where this mix excels, with surround channels coming alive with crowd noise and directional audio that positions Rocky's coaching instructions seamlessly within the room. The sound mix remains aggressive yet balanced, ensuring that during intense sequences like Adonis' training montages or the climactic bouts, every element from ambient noises to poignant musical cues are heard distinctly. The bass is employed sparingly but effectively, creating thundering punches and room-shaking effects that enhance the visceral experience of the film. This immersive audio presentation shines in its ability to draw the listener into the narrative, making it a thoroughly engaging component of "Creed's" Blu-ray release.

Overall, this is a near-perfect audio mix that provides a continuously immersive listening experience, adeptly adapting to the intensity of each scene. Whether it's other boxers training nearby or the environmental sounds during street runs, this soundtrack swells and sinks you into the middle of the action. The dialogue, even with nuanced gruffness, is consistently clear and precisely placed within the soundstage. This cohesive approach in sound design ensures that both casual viewers and audiophiles find satisfaction in its auditory brilliance.

The "Creed" Blu-ray extras provide valuable insights but are somewhat limited in volume, focusing mainly on three core features. "Know the Past, Own the Future" offers a comprehensive look at the transition from Rocky to Adonis, featuring interviews with Stallone, Jordan, and Coogler, effectively presenting the film’s narrative evolution through the series' legacy. "Becoming Adonis" highlights Michael B. Jordan's rigorous year-long training, showcasing his dedication to embodying a champion boxer. The Deleted Scenes section includes 11 scenes not individually selectable, adding depth but understandably cut from the final product to maintain pacing. The lack of additional extras, such as commentary tracks, is notable but what is available adds considerable context and appreciation for the film’s production and narrative.

Extras included in this disc:

• Know the Past, Own the Future: Interviews and insights on passing the torch from Rocky to Adonis.
• Becoming Adonis: Jordan’s transformation into Adonis through intensive training.
• Deleted Scenes: A collection of eleven polished but cut scenes.

Ryan Coogler's Creed reinvigorates the beloved Rocky franchise by introducing Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the determined illegitimate son of Apollo Creed, striving to step out from his father's shadow. Raised by Apollo’s widow, Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashad), Adonis pursues boxing, rejecting a conventional lifestyle despite his privileged upbringing. Moving to Philadelphia, he seeks out the aging Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), who hesitantly agrees to train him. Stallone delivers a stellar performance, embodying an older, wiser Rocky who faces his own battles with age and illness, yet finds renewed purpose in mentoring Adonis. This pairing rekindles the franchise’s emotional core, blending nostalgia with a fresh narrative drive.

Coogler’s direction captures the visceral essence of boxing with dynamic cinematography, notably in a breathtaking single-shot fight sequence that highlights the raw intensity of the sport. The film meticulously pays homage to the franchise's past through subtle visual cues, reinforcing Rocky’s enduring legacy while establishing Adonis as a compelling protagonist. The emotional interplay between Adonis's struggle for identity and Rocky's reluctant return to the ring is poignant, creating a deeply resonant mentor-mentee relationship. Tessa Thompson's Bianca adds an additional layer, providing a robust emotional anchor reminiscent of Adrian's role in the original series but with a modern twist.

The film triumphantly balances heart-pounding boxing scenes with profound character development, addressing themes of legacy, identity, and intergenerational mentoring. The narrative arc culminates not in the final match against champion Pretty Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew) but in the deep bond forged between Rocky and Adonis. Stallone’s performance is lauded as one of his best, showcasing vulnerability and resilience. Creed is not merely a continuation but a revitalization of the Rocky saga, honoring its iconic roots while paving the way for future chapters in a manner that resonates both with long-time fans and a new generation of viewers.

"Creed" marks a significant milestone in the "Rocky" franchise, rejuvenating the series with fresh energy and emotional depth. Under the masterful direction of Ryan Coogler, the film intertwines themes of legacy and identity, compelling both older and younger generations. Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of Rocky Balboa earned him critical acclaim and several accolades, including a Golden Globe and a Critics' Choice Award. The film benefits from strong performances, particularly Michael B. Jordan as Adonis, bringing intensity and nuance that resonate with both new viewers and longtime fans.

The Blu-ray release of "Creed" is remarkable, offering top-tier audio and video quality. The high-definition transfer retains the film's gritty yet vibrant visual style, enhancing detailed urban landscapes and boxing scenes alike. The disc includes a DVD and a digital version in Digital HD with UltraViolet, catering to diverse viewing preferences. While the extras could be more extensive, the core presentation is exceptional, making it a valuable addition to any collection. Repeated viewings reveal deeper character layers, keeping the narrative engaging and fresh.

In conclusion, "Creed" is much more than a typical boxing film; it's an emotionally charged continuation of an iconic story. Its high-caliber performances and technical prowess ensure it stands as one of the best installments in the "Rocky" legacy. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, this Blu-ray is highly recommended for its masterful storytelling and superb presentation.