For an instalment in a franchise as big as the Rocky canon is, Creed III brings with it a number of firsts. This is Michael B Jordan’s debut as an actor-director, and it’s the first film not to include Sylvester Stallone. On paper this is a daunting prospect, and one that could lead to disappointment, particularly following a lacklustre Creed II. Nonetheless, MBJ delivers a knock-out movie, full of poise, excitement, and genuine entertainment.
After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian — a fighter who has nothing to lose.
This movie has everything one has come to expect. A solid contest, an exhausting training montage and a finale that keeps all enthralled to the last minute. Michael B Jordan demonstrates a strong understanding of the tone and character focus that made Ryan Coogler’s Creed I so appealing. This movie is a return to form – with the addition of the heavyweight Jonathan Majors a major plus. The chemistry between both leads is superb, and carries the audience through its relatively swift sub-two-hour runtime.
While perhaps considered a slow burn, true fans of the Creed instalments will relish this latest offering. We will have to wait and see if this is the last Creed movie, but after this, it is hard to imagine anyone else directing it but Adonis himself.