MOVIE REVIEW – The third film in the Creed series is the ninth film in the Rocky universe, but this time without Sylvester Stallone. Michael B. Jordan not only stars but also makes his directorial debut. The film presents another challenge for Adonis Creed: the return of an old friend and former boxing star.

Life is good for Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), who has enjoyed a successful career in the ring, is happily married to Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and has a son. But when his childhood pal and greatest rival Damien Anderson (Jonathan Majors) reappears, Adonis is forced to confront his past and his legacy. Damien is not only the nephew of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), but also the fighter Adonis has never faced.

Jordan makes his directorial debut

Michael B. Jordan not only stars in but also directs Creed III, the eighth instalment in the Rocky films. This was a big challenge for him, as he became the first African-American director of this legendary film series. Jordan did not disappoint: he confidently and sensitively guides the story, which features another clash between Adonis Creed (Jordan) and Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu).

The film focuses not only on exciting boxing matches, but also on human dramas. The film shows Adonis’s training and struggles in spectacular fashion, but it also spares no emotion: his relationship with Bianca (Tessa Thompson), his son and Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashād) is deeply portrayed. Perhaps the film’s greatest virtue is that it does not try to imitate or surpass the previous episodes or Rocky (Sylvester Stallone), but gives its own voice to Adonis’ character and story.

Jordan and co: boxers and family members

Michael B. Jordan does a great job as Adonis Creed: a warrior fighting for recognition and for himself. Jordan’s body language and facial expressions convey Adonis’s mental struggles and determination. Throughout the film, Adonis is forced to confront his own fears and weaknesses: the death of his father, his son’s hearing impairment, Bianca’s career and the challenge of Damien Anderson (Jonathan Majors). Jordan authentically portrays Adonis’ inner struggle and outer efforts.

Tessa Thompson is also excellent as Bianca Taylor: a strong woman who supports her husband in every situation, but also fights for her own dreams. Bianca tries to make it in the music industry as a singer, while her hearing deteriorates. Thompson sings the songs in the film beautifully, adding to the emotional impact. Bianca’s character is not only Adonis’ lover and companion, but also a character in her own right.

And Jonathan Majors is convincing as Damien Anderson: a damaged fighter who seeks revenge for his father’s death. Anderson’s father was killed by Rocky in a boxing match in 1985’s Rocky IV. Majors well portrays Anderson’s anger and bitterness directed at Adonis. Anderson’s character is not only a vicious opponent, but also a figure with a human side.

Other actors in the film include Phylicia Rashād as Mary Anne Creed (Adonis’ foster mother), Florian Munteanu as Viktor Drago (Adonis’ first opponent), Wood Harris as Tony “Little Duke” Evers (Adonis’ trainer) and Russell Hornsby as Buddy Marcelle (the promoter of the fights), all of whom contribute to making the film not just a boxing film but also a profound drama.

In the shadow of the past: the history of film

The story of the film may seem simple: two old friends face off in the ring. But it is much more than that: it is about how we relate to our past and our heritage; about what it means to be a family; about the sacrifices we make for our loved ones; about how we find ourselves; about how we heal our wounds; about how we cope with our fears; about how we rise again and again. The film does not give simple answers to these questions, but leaves it up to the viewer to decide for themselves who is the hero and who is the enemy.

The story of the film is another clash between Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) and Damien Anderson (Jonathan Majors). Adonis defeated Anderson in the first episode in a tough fight. But Anderson didn’t give up: he trained and got stronger and now he wants to take the title back from Adonis. Anderson’s motivation is not just sporting: his father was killed by Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) in a boxing match in an earlier film. So Anderson wants revenge on both Rocky and Adonis.

But Adonis doesn’t want to fight Anderson: she feels she has already proved herself and him wrong. Adonis prefers to focus on his family: his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson), his son Amari and his foster mother Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashād). Adonis wants his son to be proud of him as a father and as a boxer. But Amari is hearing impaired: he cannot hear his father’s voice or the applause of the audience. Adonis is afraid that his son will reject him or suffer because of him.

Throughout the film, both fighters must confront their own demons: for Anderson, the trauma of his father’s death and his hatred of Rocky; for Adonis, his father’s legacy and his son’s future. At the end of the film, both must decide: will they fight each other or reconcile?

The story of the film is therefore not only an exciting sports film, but also a profound drama. The film shows the boxers’ spiritual world and motivations; the importance and difficulties of family; the impact of the past and how to overcome it; and finding and maintaining self-respect.

A spectacular and moving film about boxing and life

Creed III is an immersive cinematic experience that rightly carries on the tradition of the Creed series and the Rocky universe. The film not only presents the boxing action in a spectacular and exciting way, but also depicts the boxers’ psychological world and family relationships in a deep and sensitive way. The film touches on themes such as heritage, self-identity, forgiveness and self-sacrifice.

The acting in the film is also excellent, with Michael B. Jordan not only making his directorial debut in this film, but also making a great acting debut as Adonis Creed. And Jonathan Majors was convincing as Damien Anderson, Adonis’ adversary and old friend. Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashād and Sylvester Stallone also delivered their usual high standards.

So the film is not just a sports film, it is also a drama: a drama about how we grapple with our own past and present; about how we find our place in the world; about how we love and are loved.

-BadSector-