Movie Analysis: “Creed” — Plot
Another in our bi-weekly series in which we analyze movies currently in release. Why? To quote the writing mantra I coined over 5 years ago: Watch movies. Read scripts. Write pages. You will note which one comes first. Here are my reflections from that post about the importance of watching movies:
To be a good screenwriter, you need to have a broad exposure to the world of film. Every movie you see is a potential reference point for your writing, everything from story concepts you generate to characters you develop to scenes you construct. Moreover people who work in the movie business constantly reference existing movies when discussing stories you write; it’s a shorthand way of getting across what they mean or envision.
But most importantly, you need to watch movies in order to ‘get’ how movie stories work. If you immerse yourself in the world of film, it’s like a Gestalt experience where you begin to grasp intuitively scene composition, story structure, character functions, dialogue and subtext, transitions and pacing, and so on.
Let me add this: It’s important to see movies as they get released so that you stay on top of the business. Decisions get made in Hollywood in large part depending upon how movies perform, so watching movies as they come out puts you in the same head space as reps, producers, execs, and buyers.
This week’s movie: Creed, screenplay c-written by Ryan Coogler and Aaron Covington, story by Ryan Coogler, based on characters by Sylvester Stallone.
Our schedule for discussion this week:
Monday: General Comments
Tuesday: Plot
Wednesday: Characters
Thursday: Themes
Friday: Dialogue
Saturday: Takeaways
For those of you who have not seen the movie, do not click MORE as we will be trafficking in major spoilers. If you have seen Creed, I invite you to join me in breaking down and analyzing the movie.
It’s interesting to consider the plot for Creed as compared to the plot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Both hew quite closely to predecessor movies: The original Rocky and Star Wars: A New Hope. Yet both have provided an emotionally satisfying experience for viewers. This is all the more remarkable because going in, the audience knows what’s going to happen. The endings are quite literally the very same as the movies which inspired the sequels:
Donnie loses the fight, but it’s a moral victory, just like Rocky.
The rebels destroy the Star Killer base, just like the Death Star in A New Hope.
Obviously nostalgia fuels a lot of the positive vibe about both of these movies, yet the filmmakers were smart to include some twists. We’ll save SW:TFA for its own discussion, but the big twist in Creed? As noted by 14Shari in comments yesterday:
I like the old mentor- young student relationship between Rocky and Donnie. I love it more when the student becomes the teacher of the master when he encourages him to take that chemo and give them both something to fight for.
The student becomes the teacher. Of course, this recalls the plot of Rocky III, but it plays so well in Creed. Rocky is a beloved character. When young Donnie ‘fathers’ Rocky, that is an expression of our fondness for the aged boxer.
It’s also a crucial bridge in Donnie’s personal metamorphosis, compelling him to move beyond his rage and absorption with his own Self to helping someone else.
How about you? What thoughts do you have about the movie’s plot? I look forward to reading your reactions in comments.