Creed III

When "Creed" was released in 2015, even though it was a 'spin off' of the "Rocky" franchise, I thought it really wouldn't make the grade. It turned out better than I thought it would, certainly enough for "Creed II" 2018 to be generated. That film was clearly not as thought out as its predecessor, so that when "Creed III" , being released today, would be another warmed over "Creed". Well, I was shocked to unbelief, because this film did give that one two punch--pun intended.

After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life, which includes his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent). When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving an eighteen year prison sentence, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian--a fighter who has nothing to lose. 

Others to round out the cast are Wood Harris as 'Duke' Burton, a trainer, Phylicia Rashad as Mary-Anne Creed, Adonis' mother, Jose Benavidez as Felix Chavez, Selena Leyva as Laura Chavez, Felix's mother, Florian Munteanu as Viktor Drago and Jacob 'Stitch' Duran as Stitch.

This was amazingly well orchestrated, paced and staged by first time director Michael B. Jordan. Jordan has certainly proved himself as a talented actor and a fine producer, but he is also an incredible director as well. A natural? Not sure, maybe, but time and more work will only tell for sure. He's worked with some of the finest directors including Ryan Coogler which this film is based on his story, in the field and surely something must have rubbed off. The film was well sequenced and the emotions the actors emitted were real and raw. He will undoubtedly receive more work behind the camera. It was also well honed by writers keenan Coogler ("Space Jam: A New Legacy" '21) plus a short and Zach Baylin ("King Richard" '21), based on a story by Ryan Coogler, Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin, which, of course, is based off of the "Rocky" franchise. Really, other than a couple of very small places of situations that couldn't be explained or some continuity issues, this script was awesome. I was not expecting the grit, the emotion, and the depth that this film showed. These writers are not seasoned writers, however they were able to pull off a script that not only was cohesive, but showed compassion, heart and redemption that a lot of 'boxing films' don't represent.

If you're a "Rocky" fan or even a "Creed" film aficionado, you will revel with this, but even if you're not, the elements of action, fear, love, compassion and redemption are all delineated well here and is enough to keep you on the edge of your seat for the 2-hour running time with no reservations.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                       Rated: PG-13                                                  117mins.