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Creed III
Michael B Jordan makes a surprisingly effective debut in the director's chair as the past of Adonis Creed catches up to him in the emotionally charged Creed III that not only is a worthy third entry in this franchise, but actually hearkens the spirit of the original 1976 Sylvester Stallone Best Picture Oscar winner as well.
As the 2023 film opens, Adonis has just retired from the ring after a final victory when he is reunited with Damian Anderson, his childhood running partner with whom he was involved in an incident many years ago from which Adonis escaped but landed Damian in jail for 18 years. Adonis is thrown when Damian is not just looking for a handout but wants Adonis' assistance in getting him a title shot with the new champion, Felix Chavez. Damian easily dispatches Chavez of his title, but it is only then when Damian's true agenda is revealed: revenge against the childhood friend who he thinks turned his rich and famous back on him.
Ryan Coogler, the creative force behind Black Panther is one of the screenwriters for this story that not only creates a story from Creed's past, a story of friendship and loyalty that initially seems inspired by the original Rocky as Damian wants Adonis' assistance in getting the same kind of shot at Chavez that Rocky Balboa got frim Apollo Creed back in '76. The initial reunion between these two guys cleverly sets up the fact that all Damian wants is Adonis' help in getting the shot, making the viewer think that the story will have Adonis passing on the torch to his childhood BFF, but this isn't what happens at all,
Jordan's direction is very focused on this story that doesn't really try to cover too much territory the way the second film did. He puts a lot of care into the scenes with Adonis' hearing-impaired daughter and his conflict about training her to fight when she gets in trouble at school for punching another student. His connection to his mother is also addressed in an economic matter, even if what happens is telegraphed, but Jordan's direction easily allows us to overlook that. As always with these films, the training sequences are on the money, which actually include a shot of Adonis dragging an airplane attached to his back Jordan is also to be applauded for his complete exit from reality in the final climactic showdown which we don't see coming at all.
Jordan makes effective use of the obvious huge budget he was afforded here, with special shout outs to editing, costumes, sound, and music. Despite his presence in the director's chair, Jordan still commands the screen in the title role and Jonathan Majors is a very effective black hat as Damian. An extremely entertaining third entry in the franchise that doesn't set up a fourth film, but doesn't shut down the possibility either.
Michael B Jordan makes a surprisingly effective debut in the director's chair as the past of Adonis Creed catches up to him in the emotionally charged Creed III that not only is a worthy third entry in this franchise, but actually hearkens the spirit of the original 1976 Sylvester Stallone Best Picture Oscar winner as well.
As the 2023 film opens, Adonis has just retired from the ring after a final victory when he is reunited with Damian Anderson, his childhood running partner with whom he was involved in an incident many years ago from which Adonis escaped but landed Damian in jail for 18 years. Adonis is thrown when Damian is not just looking for a handout but wants Adonis' assistance in getting him a title shot with the new champion, Felix Chavez. Damian easily dispatches Chavez of his title, but it is only then when Damian's true agenda is revealed: revenge against the childhood friend who he thinks turned his rich and famous back on him.
Ryan Coogler, the creative force behind Black Panther is one of the screenwriters for this story that not only creates a story from Creed's past, a story of friendship and loyalty that initially seems inspired by the original Rocky as Damian wants Adonis' assistance in getting the same kind of shot at Chavez that Rocky Balboa got frim Apollo Creed back in '76. The initial reunion between these two guys cleverly sets up the fact that all Damian wants is Adonis' help in getting the shot, making the viewer think that the story will have Adonis passing on the torch to his childhood BFF, but this isn't what happens at all,
Jordan's direction is very focused on this story that doesn't really try to cover too much territory the way the second film did. He puts a lot of care into the scenes with Adonis' hearing-impaired daughter and his conflict about training her to fight when she gets in trouble at school for punching another student. His connection to his mother is also addressed in an economic matter, even if what happens is telegraphed, but Jordan's direction easily allows us to overlook that. As always with these films, the training sequences are on the money, which actually include a shot of Adonis dragging an airplane attached to his back Jordan is also to be applauded for his complete exit from reality in the final climactic showdown which we don't see coming at all.
Jordan makes effective use of the obvious huge budget he was afforded here, with special shout outs to editing, costumes, sound, and music. Despite his presence in the director's chair, Jordan still commands the screen in the title role and Jonathan Majors is a very effective black hat as Damian. An extremely entertaining third entry in the franchise that doesn't set up a fourth film, but doesn't shut down the possibility either.