'Creed III' is an Exciting Knockout of a Directorial Debut for Michael B. Jordan in the Face-Off of Our Dreams Against Jonathan Majors

by Darian Scalamoni

    It was back in 2015 that Michael B. Jordan first graced the screen as Adonis Creed, the son of the late, great fictional boxer within the Rocky franchise, Apollo Creed. He leaned on franchise stalwart Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) as a trainer to get him to world championship aspirations as an underdog just like him. Now, for the first time in the Creed franchise, Adonis is no longer the underdog and Rocky is nowhere to be found in Creed III.

    Jordan's frequent collaborator, Ryan Coogler directed the first installment, however, Creed III marked yet another first with Jordan making his directorial debut in a stylized, hyper-visual rollercoaster ride that had him one-on-one with childhood friend Damian "Dame" Anderson (Jonathan Majors). It's clear that Adonis has come a long way since the person he was in the first film. At first, a scrappy young fighter who is trying to make a name for himself, without using the "Creed" moniker, he's now grown into an icon himself. One of the pound-for-pound greats, multiple time world champion and living in the Hollywood Hills with his own boxing gym putting together super fights for the next guys in the rankings. However, within that first movie was a sentimental center through Rocky's fatherhood role, interconnectivity of different racial backgrounds and the dynamic chemistry between Michael B. Jordan and his love interest Bianca (Tessa Thompson) who he's now married to.

    With Creed II feeling almost lifeless in comparison to the energetic first spinoff, Creed III tries to ramp up the franchise in new ways while still keeping form to the drama that comes naturally with almost any boxing film. While the adversaries throughout both the Rocky and Creed franchises have had larger than life personalities, there has never been one like the man called "Diamond Dame." Jonathan Majors, who is quickly rising up to must-watch status, is magnetic as former Golden Gloves winner who is just released from prison after 18 years behind bars. However, the story is a personal one, as Adonis used to be the one who "carried Dame's gloves" for him as an amateur. They had formed quite the relationship first in their upbringing through a group home where Adonis and Damian would protect each other from the man who ran their facility. That is, until Adonis sees him years later and assaults him outside a liquor store. In an attempt to save young Adonis from a beatdown, Dame pulls a gun before being arrested while Adonis escapes. 

    We fast forward to twenty years later, where Adonis is now retired from his life of boxing. He's hanging at his home with his daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent) relaxing and playing tea party, while Bianca is settling into a life that showcases her producing skills since she's lost the ability to perform on stage. All seems to be well in the world of Adonis: he's happy, healthy, spending more time with family in luxury and is currently repping the current WBC Heavyweight champion, Felix Chavez (Jose Benavidez). That is, until Dame shows up leaning on his range rover. At first, Creed doesn't remember his childhood friend until it all clicks. He's at first trepidatious to assist yet another person in need as it's come back to haunt Adonis in the past. However, Majors has this magnetic effect in the duo's first sit down meal that makes you feel sorry for his character. He's sincere, he seems determined but almost broken. As he was once a prodigy boxer himself, he was robbed of that opportunity because of a mistake made eighteen years prior. However, we see the avoidance of Creed but there's a vulnerable familiarity he shares with Dame through those experiences as a child that makes him believe he owes him something. So, he tells him to come down the gym which puts us on a compelling expedition of former best friends turning into enemies before our own eyes through jealousy, opportunity and opposite philosophies.

    While the script is overstuffed at times, what stands out is the relationship and chemistry on screen for Majors and Jordan. Dame comes at things from a complex perspective as someone who is taken for granted not only by Creed but also Chavez, as he does anything in his power to get to the top. After Dame steps in as a last-minute replacement for an injured Viktor Drago, he proves how savvy he will be to revitalize his dream he had as a young man. It's the after effect that takes hold which sees Dame verbally and physically attack and call out Creed across multiple sports outlets, making things personal. Dame has a commanding presence over Creed which relies on Adonis digging deep to make something special happen, come out of retirement and avenge his name that's being dragged in the dirt by Dame. Within that, we see it's clear of the full encapsulation of how much the character of Adonis Creed means to Michael B. Jordan. The character speaks to him in a way that imbues confidence and punches at the opportunity to make such visual swings that work mostly and revitalizes the Creed franchise as a whole.

    Overall, the film, though clearly missing Sly for his role in the franchise is a bit of a stinging indictment, Creed III comes out on top as a strong entry moving forward with Adonis. Despite the major last battle between Jordan and Majors, you would hope that Dame would continue on within the franchise as Majors adds yet another layer to the growing narrative that all started with a meat worker from Philadelphia. If Creed III aims to be the last narrative with this character moving forward, it would be a worthy finale, however, it gives a stable backing and humanity that if they decide to continue on with the franchise, the battles are ripe with Jordan at the helm. 

Overall Score: 7.9