On paper, the Creed movies never sounded appealing, not least in their approach to continuing the Rocky series, which many felt had run its course. Centering on the relationship between Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed, and Sylvester Stallone returning to his most iconic role, Rocky Balboa, Ryan Coogler’s 2015 movie proved to be a successful revival of the franchise and one of the few examples of the legacy sequel done right. Even its flashier sequel, which could have brought back to the B-movie bombast of Rocky IV, still grounds this world of melodrama and boxing in a compelling manner.
While Stallone’s presence as the Italian Stallion is nowhere to be found in the third instalment – though he retains a producing credit – Jordan steps into Stallone’s shoes as Creed III makes his directorial debut. Whereas the previous Creed movies were about the young Adonis trying to live up to the legacy of the father he never knew, Creed III is about his own past demons, going all the way back to his childhood. Three years have passed since he retired from boxing to focus on his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and their daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent). However, when Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors), a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, resurfaces, what initially starts as a re-acquaintance leads to a professional fight in the ring.
Based on a story that was co-conceived by Ryan Coogler, there is more emphasis on our titular hero being a child of the streets, where he didn’t have the best upbringing, only to be saved by his adopted mother (Phylicia Rashad). Upon reuniting with Damian, Adonis sees it as a journey of redemption as he helps him to get back into the gym and hopefully a shot at the ring. Some of the story decisions certainly scream melodramatic, particularly one scene that is part of Damian’s evil scheme, but when Jordan and Majors shared the screen together, their drama leaves an impact as strong as the physical punches.
Although the absence of Balboa is felt somewhat, Michael B. Jordan has always shined with charisma and vulnerability in the central role as the boxer who must realize that there are other ways to resolve conflicts and be open with his feelings – something that his family is always telling him. Having recently wowed us as the villain in the not-so-remarkable Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Majors delivers another eye-catching villainous performance here, who is introduced as a shy outsider despite his muscular physique, only to relish in the success, which is where his evil is revealed.
Being part of the Rocky franchise, Creed III still has to follow a familiar formula, even from the trailers you can map out where the story is going. Oddly, this has more in common with the worst installment in the series, Rocky V, in that it centers on an underdog that turns bad, with the hero becoming more emotionally distant from his family. More time could have been spent here as deaf actress Mila Davis-Kent brings a greater appreciation of sign language on film. However, Jordan delivers a competent debut as a director, particularly in the boxing matches, which are stunningly shot on IMAX camera. Given that Jordan has acknowledged his love for anime, you can see that love through the matches, which are kinetic and even fantastical.
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