Creed III is the latest installment in the Rocky franchise, taking forward the story of Adonis Creed, played by Michael B Jordan, who has now retired after winning the heavyweight boxing title.
Creed III Review: Michael B Jordan's Directorial Debut Packs a Punch.
Jordan also makes his directorial debut with this film, which features Jonathan Majors as the antagonist, Damian.
The film's strength lies in the contrasting characters of Creed and Damian, two boys who grew up in the same tough environment but have taken different paths. While Creed enjoys the trappings of success, including spending time with his wife Bianca, played by Tessa Thompson, and their daughter, who has a hearing disability, Damian has spent the last 18 years behind bars and struggles to conceal his resentment at Creed's success.
Creed III is not just a simple sports film; it delves into deeper themes of loss and success, and whether Creed's success has made him too "soft." The film also explores the idea that fighting is not always the answer to a problem and whether Creed could have become a boxer had he grown up in a different environment.
Despite its complex themes, the film progresses predictably, with all conflicts eventually being settled in the ring, a common trope in sports films. However, the film offers too many subplots, including Bianca's disappointment with her singing career due to her partial loss of hearing and their grandiose home, which detract from the main story.
Jordan's direction is generous, allowing Majors to shine as Damian, who exudes an air of menace and delivers the punches. Jordan's own character, Creed, takes a back seat, allowing Majors to steal the spotlight.
Conclusion:
Creed III is a well-crafted film that explores deeper themes, but falls short in execution. Its strengths lie in the performances of its main cast, especially Jordan and Majors, who bring depth to their characters. While the film offers too many subplots that distract from the main story, it is still an entertaining sports film that packs a punch.
Overall Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5.
Keypoints:
1 The article is a movie review of "Creed III" directed by Michael B Jordan, who also plays the lead role of Adonis Creed
2. The movie is the third installment in the "Creed" franchise, which is a spinoff of the "Rocky" film series
3. The review highlights the strength of the film's two main characters, Adonis Creed (played by Michael B Jordan) and Damian (played by Jonathan Majors), who have a complex past that resurfaces in the film
4. The article also touches upon the themes of success, loss, and the idea of fighting as the only solution to a problem
5. The review acknowledges that while the movie is more complex than the usual sports film, it still follows a predictable trajectory with all conflicts eventually being settled in the ring
6. The article also notes that the parallel track of Bianca (played by Tessa Thompson), Creed's wife, and their daughter's interest in boxing offer interesting side-tracks but ultimately serve only as fillers
7. The review ends by praising the performance of the two main actors, Jordan and Majors, and their ability to bring depth and complexity to their characters
8. The movie is given a rating of 2.5 stars
