The championship match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner gave birth to an idea in Sylvester Stallone, an idea that led him to write a screenplay in three days. That screenplay developed into the iconic 1976 Rocky film. The critically acclaimed film went on to make $225M at the box office, receiving ten Academy Award nominations and winning three, including Best Picture. The film also led to the creation of the biggest sports franchise ever.
Nearly five decades later, the franchise which has now outgrown Stallone’s vision, is creating a new identity and legacy. The Rocky franchise is built on legacy, while the first two Creed films are built on Rocky and Apollo’s legacy, Creed III breaks the circle by creating a legacy around Adonis. Michael B. Jordan spearheads this new phase both as the lead and the director, two roles in which he channels lots of creativity.
Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), now retired from boxing, is focusing on his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and their daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent). He also runs the Delphi Boxing Academy with his coach Tony “Little Duke” Evers (Wood Harris), and is promoting his protégé, world champion Felix “El Guerrero” Chavez (José Benavidez Jr.), in a match against Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu).
Adonis’ life is disrupted by the return of Damian “Dame” Anderson (Jonathan Majors), Adonis’ childhood friend, and former boxing prodigy is released from prison. Damian’s thirst for redemption and vengeance leads to Creed finally confronting his bruised past and eventually coming out of retirement to settle the score.
Forty-seven years is a long time to build a franchise around, and after eight films, one might wonder what else is there to be done with this franchise. The writing team – Ryan Coogler, Keenan Coogler, and Zach Baylin – creates something new and extraordinary by making Adonis the driver of his story. Even the antagonist is someone driven by the past actions of Adonis. The decision to create a story around Adonis without the inclusion of Rocky and Apollo elements makes this film not only the best of Creed films but one of the franchise’s best.
Damian is the perfect antagonist and foe for Adonis, and the chemistry between Jordan and Majors sparks the light that makes their hatred burn. There is a sense of tragedy, regret, and pain that is visible in their shared path. While the two lived different lives for nearly two decades, the friends-turned-foe seem destined to face each other in a never-ending fight until one of them falls permanently.
Amidst the large focus on the dynamic between Damian and Adonis, Tessa Thompson’s Bianca and Mila Davis-Kent’s Amara Creed get their share of remarkable character arcs. Bianca has built a career as a music producer, as her condition has affected her ability to sing, but when her acceptance as a writer who can’t sing her song is questioned, she has to ponder on where her happiness truly lies. Amara on the other hand has taken up her family’s affinity for boxing, but her parents question if the path is one she should thread.
The cinematography and visuals are a work of art, Cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau returns to create a magical atmosphere where the emotions of every scene can be felt. The fight scenes are also elevated by the beautiful work, and when coupled with Michael B. Jordan’s inspiration from anime, the result is the best fight sequence in the entire franchise.
Costume Designer Lizz Wolf also returns to deliver exquisite costumes. Her costumes say a lot about the characters wearing them while showcasing their auras and journey. Dreamville’s soundtrack for the film continues the tradition of powerful rap that elevates every sequence. Joseph Shirley replaces Ludwig Göransson as the composer. He remains faithful to Göransson’s past work while bringing a unique touch to the franchise theme songs.
Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut reinvents the Rocky Franchise. His creativity shines as he brings something unique in terms of style, camera movement, and cinematic display. He creates an environment that expands the franchise without tainting the legacy of the past, and although Sylvester Stallone doesn’t appear in the movie, his presence is felt heavily. Creed III is a gem and one you should see as soon as possible.