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Creed III

Creed III

Michael B. Jordan is back in the ring for a one more emotionally-charged bout.

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There are few sports film franchises that have had the impact of Rocky. The iconic boxing series has left us with countless memorable moments and performances, and this has been continued in the modern day with the also brilliant Creed series. This spinoff has given us two great boxing stories but now that the third is here, it's clear that Michael B. Jordan's Adonis Creed is looking beyond the spotlight, and this threequel explores just that.

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After a long and illustrious professional career seeing Adonis unifying the heavyweight belts, the sports legend has hung up his gloves in favour of a life where his family are his clear number one priority. At least until childhood friend Jonathan Majors' 'Diamond' Damian Anderson returns to Adonis' life after spending the last 18 years in prison for an incident Adonis was directly involved in. The pair reconcile and bask in memories, all before Dame's intentions become clear, with him eyeing up Adonis' career and life, something Dame believes is his right after Adonis left him to face his incarceration alone.

It's a story that is more than just about boxing. It's a tale that is emotional and sees Adonis facing feelings that he has locked away and ran from for 18 years. And this is something that Jordan does exceptionally well at portraying, as you really do feel as though Adonis is a warrior that is broken at his core. And on the other hand, Majors does a marvellous job at moving through the emotions with Dame, going from a man who is just looking for a friend, to a true villain, and then back to that good-natured individual at the end of the day. The pair are a force to contend with and do wonders to elevate this film.

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But, Creed III is not the best Creed we have seen yet. The film struggles to keep you engaged during its first act, which comes across as a bit too stretched and slow. There isn't a real fight to gawk over until a good 45-60 minutes through the movie, meaning you're relying on plot and character development to fill your belly up until that point, and because Tessa Thompson's Bianca takes more of a backseat in this movie than in the first two, this isn't as compelling as it has been.

Creed III

That doesn't change the fact that for a boxing movie, Creed III once again delivers in the action. The training montages would make Rocky proud. The choreography looks like something you'd find in a John Wick film. The audio that thunders around the cinema when a full-forced right hook connects is thrilling. It's all very flashy but it's engaging nonetheless.

Seeing former Creed stars making a comeback is also really exciting. Drago being back on the scene, as well as Ricky Conlan, and seeing them handled so well shows that there are still big plans for the franchise, even if it might not revolve around Jordan's ageing Adonis being in the ring himself.

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All in all, while it isn't perfect, Creed III is another fine boxing movie. Jordan's directorial debut shows that he has talent both in front of and behind the camera, and while this won't be taking the title of the top Rocky film of all-time anytime soon, and neither will it be known as the best Creed film, it is a thrilling and engaging watch for boxing fans and those who don't usually take an interest in the sport alike.

07 Gamereactor UK
7 / 10
overall score
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Creed III

Creed III

MOVIE REVIEW. Written by Ben Lyons

Michael B. Jordan is back in the ring for a one more emotionally-charged bout.



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