Latest “Rocky” Movie Highlights a Different Philadelphia
Premiering tomorrow, just in time for Thanksgiving is “Creed,” the latest film in the “Rocky” franchise. Rocky is synonymous with Philadelphia – who can think of the city without thinking of Sylvester Stallone climbing the 72 stone steps of the Art Museum? “Creed” follows the son of Rocky’s great rival, Apollo Creed. While the Philadelphia of the first “Rocky” movies was down on its luck, with half a century of population decline behind it. The Philadelphia of today is different, and the movie reflects that.
In a promotional image from the movie “Creed,” Rocky Balboa trains Adonis Johnson.
Larry Eichel, director of the Pew Charitable Trust’s Philadelphia Research Initiative, points out that, in the mid-70s, when the first “Rocky” was set, Philadelphia was overall a grittier place. Like many other big US cities, it was smarting from the loss of its industrial economy. In comparison, the last eight years have seen the city’s population grow by 72,000 people. That might not be as many as in other big cities, but it’s a welcome influx after decades of decline. The Philadelphia of “Creed” is on the rise. The city just welcomed the pope – along with one million associated visitors – in September, and will host the Democratic National Convention next summer. When Rocky looks at the view from the Art Museum steps in the new movie, he sees a vista of sleek glass-and-steel high rises.
“Creed” focuses on Adonis Johnson, the son of Apollo Creed. He is mentored by Rocky Balboa while Rocky undergoes cancer treatment. Not all of Philadelphia looks as pretty and put-together as the Arts District and Fishtown as portrayed in the movie. Adonis takes training runs through the downtown business district, which still features plenty of peeling paint. When asked about the movie, Mayor Michael Nutter admitted that the city has some neighborhoods “going through tough times.” On the other hand, it also has many that have been revitalized.
