I saw Creed yesterday.
What a great film!
I had an awareness about how I was watching it during the fight scenes. I was completely conscious of how Creed kept (or didn't) his guard up. I was aware of their footwork. I was thinking about how much core work must be done by fighters to protect themselves from all those body blows. I was a cognizant of how running was an integral part of his training. That awareness led to some satisfying meta-moments: there's a scene in which Creed is running in the streets of Philadelphia in a gray, hooded sweatshirt. It's a nod to Rocky's run in the original film. Watching him gather locals to follow him during his run - again, echoing Balboa in the original film - foreshadowed his popularity with the people, despite the final outcome of the boxing match. It created an excitement on a couple of levels: the recognition of the allusion to Balboa in the original story, as well as for Creed, who is finally coming into his own in this film. I loved knowing that the running is real. You have to run to build endurance for this sport, just like martial arts. It was inspiring to watch and to feel that I am like this admirable, persistent character in a way.
But the most important allegiance I felt to the story and the character was Rocky's message to him about the importance of Creed believing in himself.
Before both of Creed's big fights, Rocky's last pep talk advice is to recognize that Creed wants this for himself and that's he's capable of doing it.
No matter how much training, no matter how burning the desire, if Creed doesn't KNOW that he can do this, he might not be able to attain it. Against the odds, an athlete must know for herself that she can accomplish the goal. In her soul, in that moment of quiet before the greatest effort and the final test, she must be confident down to her bones that she is capable of rising to the challenge; that her mind is strong enough to lead her body through the gauntlet and to emerge victorious.
THAT is a champion.
That is what I took from this movie and what I am training for. I am earning my black belt this year!
