CREED III – Review

As we get closer to Spring (and that most welcome “break”), the multiplex will present a new addition to a beloved franchise. Some may be indifferent to it, but it’s unique in several ways. For one thing, it’s not based on a comic book (though another ‘s on its way in a couple of weeks), nor are its roots in video games, toys, or TV shows. No, it’s a cinema original, though technically it is a spin-off of the first series that’s almost (gasp) 47 years old (this youngster only has eight years under his championship belt). Oh, it’s also the rare sports film franchise like MAJOR LEAGUE and THE MIGHTY DUCKS. But it’s not about a team, instead, it focuses on an individual as that protege of Rocky Balboa steps back into the ring for “round three” actually CREED III.

Surprisingly this new challenge begins with a flashback from nearly twenty years ago as teenage Adonis Creed sneaks out of his stepmom’s plush LA home to join his slightly older pal Damian.”Donnie” acts as a “corner man” for Damian in an “underground” boxing league at an “after hours” club. Damian easily earns “the purse”, but the duo’s celebration is cut short when Donnie uses his own fists on an old enemy outside a liquor store. The “rumble’ ends when Damian pulls out a pistol and the police arrive. The scene fades out to Donnie running to his home as the sun begins to rise. Flash forward to now as World boxing champ Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) barely retains his title in what he promises is his last match. And why not, since he’s “living large” in a Beverly Hills mansion with his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson), who’s now working behind the scenes as a music producer, and their adorable five-year-old daughter Amira (Mila Davis-Kent). When he’s not having a tea party with her, Adonis is the owner of a big boxing gym/club and is managing an “up-and-comer” fighter named Felix (Jose Benavidez). Trouble is, well, he trains too hard and is scaring off sparing partners.. That problem is suddenly solved by the unexpected return of Damian (Jonathan Majors), just out of prison and itching to get back in the ring, despite his age. Still feeling guilty over their dark past, Adonis hires him, not knowing that Damian is working out a master plan to take the title. When he shows his “true colors”, Adonis must come out of retirement and face down his former pal and confront their shared history. But can Adonis return to fighting shape for the big bout?

In his third outing as the boxing phenom, Jordan succeeds in making his athletic prowess believable (we get an insight into his observational strategy) and in adding a sense of haunting past regret. His teenage decisions are chipping away at him, overshadowing his family life and straining his relationships. Jordan coveys this through his eyes and body language, especially when Adonis decides to break free of the old shackles that weigh on his shoulders. Certainly matching him in the chiseled physique and emotional intensity is rising star Majors, just a couple of weeks after his big screen MCU debut. His Damian is also trying to break free of his teenage sins, though his road to redemption is fueled by ambition and deception. The early scenes of the reunion are soon replaced by his arrogant swagger as he “gets into” his old bro Donnie’s head. His needling insults sting almost as much as his jackhammer fists. Luckily Adonis has Bianca in his corner. Thompson plays his rock with unwavering strength even as her love refuses to “open up” and allow her to see the angry scared teen still in his psyche. As their daughter Amara, Davis -Kent could not be any cuter, the ultimate “daddy’s girl” as she mimics his moves with just the right amount of sass and sweetness. And of course, her “grammy” Mary Ann, playing with serene compassion and wisdom by Phylicia Rashad, dotes on her, along with Amira’s folks.

So, the main man in the ring is the main man behind the camera! Hard to believe that this is the directing debut of Jordan who keeps the story rolling smoothly, holding our interest from fading even as we go from the Creed gym (and bouts) to the lavish Creed household. We suspect that Adonis will lace up once more, but the script by Keenan and Ryan Coogler with Zach Baylin, keeps us wondering before it “sucker punches” us with a creative act two turnabout. Jordan gets us right into the action, slowing things down to show us how Adonis plots out his next moves while focusing on the blows aimed at a ‘weak spot”. We should be relieved that Jordan brings this all in at just under two hours, though the final act often feels a bit abrupt, save for a lengthy dueling “training montages”. Mind you, there’s spectacle to spare in that final fight in a baseball stadium (perhaps a modern colosseum for these two gladiators), but the decision to suddenly flash to a sparse fantasy desert dreamscape may put off some action fans (perhaps the ocean of digital viewers was deemed too “busy”). Aside from this abstract interlude, franchise fans will find Jordan a skilled filmmaker and Majors a very worthy adversary in the battle centerpiece of CREED III.

2.5 Out of 4

CREED III will open in theatres everywhere on March 3, 2023