Creed III is a very safe film in that it only does just enough to be good, but seems afraid to be great. That doesn’t mean there aren’t great moments in this film, or standout performances. It is a link in the franchise chain and not much more than that.
Michael B. Jordan not only reprises his role as Adonis but also directs and produces the film. A first for him in both off camera roles. Having a first time director at the helm and not having Sylvester Stallone back in any capacity might be a reason for the simplicity. The last thing you want to do is overwhelm your filmmakers.
Why is Stallone not back in a franchise he literally created? In a few interviews he seems as baffled as the rest of us. Say what you will about Sly but he has a gift for underdog story telling, and you miss him in this production. Body and in spirit. “It was taken in a direction that is quite different than I would’ve taken it. It’s a different philosophy [producer] Irwin Winkler’s and Michael B. Jordan’s,” Stallone said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
The story is a strong foundation. Here we find a retired Adonis who is managing a wonderful family and business career. He is a legend in the boxing world, and doing quite well for himself. Adonis is a fight promoter as well as running the gym in which he started. When Damian (Jonathan Majors) a friend from his childhood shows up he brings with him ghosts of Adonis’s past, and a destructive agenda.
Creed III is about boxing and struggles in and out of the ring. But what this one brings is a the powerful story of how our worst enemies are the ones we create in our mind, and that haunt us from our youth. Adonis and Damian have a fight of their own. But it is fueled by anger, resentment, guilt, and betrayal.
Praise for Jonathan Majors
I say that in most every film he stars in; with good reason. Majors is one of my favorite actors and has the ability to bring a powerful soul, and emotion to every role. Whether playing an MCU villain, a historic fighter pilot, a cowboy, or a young main in search of home; this guy brings it. In this one he is supposed to be the bad guy. The one you root against. But as with all of Jonathan’s roles there is this human element that draws you in and makes you feel for the character.
Did we need another Creed film? We didn’t not need it, and this one does have a strong narrative. Is it setting us up for a jump into the future with a CREED IV and Adonis’s daughter? We will see.
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