There's certainly a danger of treading over incredibly familiar territory when making the ninth film in a franchise. That's what Michael B. Jordan tasked himself with avoiding when jumping into the director's chair for Creed III, the continuation of the iconic Rocky/Creed franchise. I'm glad to report that this latest instalment feels as fresh as ever thanks to both incredible performances and exciting new approaches to the action in the ring.
Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has dominated the boxing World, thriving in both his career and family life. When Damian (Jonathan Majors), a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces after serving time in prison, he's eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight and, to settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian, a fighter who has nothing to lose.
While Creed III follows a similar path to pretty much all of the films that came before it in the franchise, there's a major Rocky Balboa shaped hole in the narrative here that takes a little adjusting to. That isn't on the film itself though as there's never a big deal to be made about it and the narrative is free to tell a new tale in the legacy of the Creed name, and it does just that. As always with these films, it's the humanity of the boxer that is explored more than the boxing itself, and in the process this becomes an emotionally driven entry into the franchise with a face from Adonis' past causing friction both at home and in the ring.
There's a new dynamic brought to the fight sequences as Michael B. Jordan cites Japanese anime as an influence for making them feel fresh and unlike anything we've seen before in the franchise. Seriously though, the fights in Creed III are outstanding, choreographed and performed to perfection while also landing the knockout punch in the IMAX format. There's also time for a training montage, of course, that carries on the tradition of going big rather than going home.
My biggest gripe with the film is that the score feels lacking for a film in this franchise. Ludwig Goransson scored the first two Creed films and did a sterling job so he's certainly missed here and there's no way this one lives up to Bill Conti's iconic work.
Coming to the performances, Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors bring the heat in their respective roles, fashioning one of the best rivalries the franchise has seen in the process. They both have a unique charisma about them while Majors just oozes major(!) screen presence, the physical nature of the roles respected and delivered upon by both men. Tessa Thompson and Mila Davis-Kent provide Adonis with something to fight for as his wife Bianca and daughter Amara, both impressing in the quieter moments they share as a family.
Creed III marks a terrific directorial debut for Michael B. Jordan and another stellar entry into the Rocky/Creed franchise. Two of the best actors of their generation going head to head is always going to be a box-office draw but the added element of the IMAX format makes this a must watch at the cinema.
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