Creed III (2023)

[Eric the Fall Guy]

Discuss

[filmlover]

A very solid conclusion to the rather high quality Creed trilogy. It takes a bit to get used to a Rockyverse movie in which Sylvester Stallone is nowhere to be found, but his absence isn't overly detrimental and in fact somewhat welcome after how all-over-the-place the previous movie was at times. Michael B. Jordan is again terrific as Adonis, and but the MVP is definitely yet another excellent performance from Jonathan Majors (utilized much better here than he is in Ant-Man 3), who brings depth to the complicated Damian. Tessa Thompson avoids fading into background too much of the time and Phylicia Rashad brings heart to her handful of scenes.

 

It's another rousing and emotionally resonant entry in this extended series that marks an effective directorial debut for MBJ while also reassuring that it is possible to make a good Rocky movie without Balboa.

 

B+

[Menor the Destroyer]

Yeah this was quite fun. The only negative is really missing the presence of Rocky after how well the previous movies built the bond between Rocky and Creed. The plot also does rely on some contrivances, although I wouldn't say there's anything out of bounds for the series. But the characters are still great, Majors is an excellent villain, the action works very well, and the sense of real anger and resentment between Creed and Dame keeps the film fresh. 

Edited March 5, 2023 by Menor Reborn

[Webslinger]

Taking an interesting, somewhat different direction this time out, Creed III is a dynamic, enthralling new entry in its franchise. After the previous film was hampered somewhat by its adherence to the Rocky series and the mythology surrounding it, Creed III succeeds in furthering the arcs introduced in the preceding two films while also solidifying its own identity outside the franchise it spun off from. With Michael B. Jordan simultaneously returning to the titular role and assuming the large behind the scenes responsibility as director, much of the film has an intriguing meta bent to it that serves to make the stakes in the narrative feel even more urgent and immediate. The script successfully plays to these elements, advances Creed’s story as a family man in deeply poignant ways (all the material with his daughter is so stinkin’ adorable), and integrates the new big adversary into the story in an organic manner that raises intriguing dramatic questions about Creed’s past and deeper nature. And when push comes to shove, Jordan proves clever and creative as a director, approaching the material in a focused, confident manner reminiscent of what Ryan Coogler brought to the first film. In front of the camera, Jordan also slides right back into the lead role with ease, handling each of his new dilemmas like a pro while recapturing the charisma and energy that he brought to the previous two films. Jonathan Majors is the biggest new addition as Creed’s childhood friend turned rival Dame, and his performance is a ferocious one that utilizes charm and menace equally well; as a vehicle for displaying Majors’s apparent status as a possible next big thing, it’s leagues more effective than what he was saddled with as the heavy in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Much of the returning supporting cast does good work with relatively limited material, but Jordan and Majors are the stars here, and their wattage is so high that it’s hard not to feel hyped up when the film arrives at their climactic bout. Though the best film in this section of the franchise remains the one most connected and indebted to the Rocky series, Creed III marks an impressive jump into more self-sustaining territory for the newer titular star. It’s a well-made, emotionally affecting sequel that feels confident enough to travel in its own direction while honoring the spirit of the crowd-pleasing elements that have made its many predecessors endure. 

 

B+

[John Rambo]

For me the whole point of watching this series was sly....considering MBJ performance in first 2 movies gave this a shot...yes he did well no doubts but it wasn't as interesting without rocky....