For some filmmakers, it can take time to establish their presence in the industry. For Ryan Coogler, however, his talent and potential as an artist was established right out of the gate. His powerful and thought-provoking debut film 2013’s Fruitvale Station was a critical success upon release and led to more high profile and equally accomplished work. Coogler has proven he’s both adept at exploring social issues on film and tailoring his style to epic blockbusters and reboots as well. His work with actors shouldn’t go unmentioned, as he has brought out the best from Michael B. Jordan in every film he’s directed. Despite only a handful of films to his name, Coogler has managed to deliver a dynamic and impactful body of work thus far, and his highly-anticipated sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is sure to bring even more acclaim to his name. Here we take a look at his as-of-now brief but notable filmography to see which film comes out on top.
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3 Creed
Warner Bros. Pictures
By 2015, the Rocky Balboa franchise appeared to have been exhausted creatively, and a reboot wasn’t exactly at the top of many people’s wishlists. While the announcement may have been met with criticism, Coogler managed to subvert expectations with the heartfelt and inspiring Creed. Creed follows Apollo Creed’s son Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) who, after years of turning away from his family’s legacy, tracks down Rocky Balboa himself to help him follow in his father’s footsteps. Creed manages to work because it explores the idea of legacy head-on and in the process allows both Adonis and Rocky to develop a strong relationship together. Jordan also brings a strong mix of intensity and sincerity to Adonis, especially in his budding relationship with Bianca (Tessa Thompson), a musician who also has a hearing problem. Creed’s sense of character allows it to transcend the clichés and conventions reboots often end up mired in.
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Coogler also demonstrates his knack for action as well, as the fight scenes are electrifying to watch and carry genuine stakes. As a storyteller, Coogler looks back upon the Rocky franchise and adds fresh layers to it and offers a touching tribute in the process. Balboa’s arc in the film helps humanize the character and acknowledge his history while letting Stallone demonstrate his true acting chops. Although the fight scenes might be the attraction, Coogler ensures that Creed remains personal to him and foremost and emphasizes this personal appeal effectively. Creed ended up being a critical and box office success and also earned raves for Jordan and Stallone’s performances. Thanks to Coogler’s fresh direction, Creed successfully revived the franchise and proved that he could handle a big-budget film with his own signature style. Michael B. Jordan himself is set to direct the upcoming third entry in the franchise.
2 Black Panther
Marvel Studios
Before Black Panther, Ryan Coogler had a promising debut and an equally strong second feature to his name. However, with Black Panther, Coogler had fully crossed into the realm of a Hollywood A-list director. Black Panther follows T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who, in the wake of his father’s death, must face Killmonger (Michael B Jordan) for the throne of Wakanda. The film works thanks to its rich characters, social commentary and immersive world-building. Coogler and company truly invest us in the environment of Wakanda and put real craft in each character’s arc as well. T’Challa’s struggle to live up to his father’s legacy is moving, and Killmonger’s motivations are surprisingly nuanced for an MCU antagonist. Black Panther is also successful in how it celebrates African-American culture with pride, along with having beautifully crafted action sequences.
The movie established itself as a cultural touchstone and achievement upon release and not only was a box office hit but was Academy-Award nominated and considered a landmark piece of Black cinema. Coogler’s social vision and craft allowed Black Panther to emerge as a rich piece that has continued to resonate with audiences and critics alike. From here, Coogler has established himself as a bankable filmmaker whose upcoming projects should hopefully be just as accomplished, if not more.
1 Fruitvale Station
The Weinstein Company
Few filmmakers show such promise and confidence behind the camera in their first feature, however Ryan Coogler made an immediate impact with his 2013 film Fruitvale Station. The film tells the story (based on true events) of Oscar Grant (Michael B Jordan) during his final 24 hours before being murdered by a police officer on film. The film wisely avoids turning Grant into a martyr and chooses to show his flaws and vulnerability, and Jordan delivers a layered and authentic performance. Coogler also highlights Grant’s environment and doesn’t shy away from its harsh realities, but also adds humanity and soul to the characters and situations. The film’s climax avoids the Hollywood bombast and is instead brutal and raw in its execution.
While Coogler has gone on to bigger-budget stories, Fruitvale Station manages to remain his best film due to its raw and passionate storytelling and timely message. Many of the themes explored here, like identity, culture, and race, have all manifested in Coogler’s later work. Coogler’s voice may be at its most pure and visceral in this filme, and the results are tremendously powerful and resonant. As a piece of social commentary, Fruitvale’s message of understanding and tolerance still holds weight, and its finale is a sobering reminder of how far society still need to go. While Coogler will go on to make many more memorable films, Fruitvale Station will arguably remain his defining achievement for some time to come.
