Creed III (2023) Review

"I left boxing, but boxing didn't leave me,"

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

After deciding to watch all the Rocky and Creed movies in the week leading up to this movie's release, I was very disappointed to find that Sylvester Stallone would not be returning as one of his most iconic characters, which of course created some doubts for how this movie would be. However, despite the no appearance and very little mention of Rocky throughout the whole movie, Michael B. Jordan, who plays Adonis Creed, holds his character in a way that it feels as though nothing is missing from this movie, because there really isn't. The lack of Rocky could even be seen as a positive thing - it allows Adonis Creed to create his legacy without being tied down by either his father or mentor, and finally achieves his ability to hold his own without being recognised for anyone else (something that is explored as his desire in the previous movie).

I never found myself interested in sports movies, since I'm not particularly interested in sports as whole, but there is something about this franchise that manages to make it so much more enjoyable than I could've imagined. Something that makes a Rocky/Creed movie is the theme of family and friends. It demonstrates how this franchise isn't just about boxing. This theme is emphasised in Creed III through Adonis' daughter, and through his friendship with his childhood friend and rival, Damien Anderson (played by Jonathon Majors).

The dynamic between Adonis and Dame is one of the most complex of the franchise, and is an aspect that made this movie so interesting. The way they fight less with each other and more towards their guilt and anger for how things played out when they were kids who only had each other creates such a complicated relationship between two characters who continuously battle with their own conscious. Majors is an excellent actor, who makes such a brilliant antagonist. His cold expressions and blunt dialogue creates such an intense atmosphere, but also allows you to feel sympathy for a character who has suffered his whole life.

This is highlighted even more in the final fight, where Adonis and Dame fight for the title of heavy weight champion of the world, and we see as the audience around them fades away that they really are battling with themselves, and are just two scared kids who dealt with too much at such a young age. Although, of course, Adonis wins the fight and is returned the title he once owned, the two are last seen together in Dame's changing rooms, contrasting Adonis' room where there is a party to create a melancholic vibe, as they share a bittersweet and understanding apology, allowing them to forgive each other and themselves for how their past played out so that they can return to their lives.

There was something so special created in each fight scene from this movie, which is due to the brilliant choreography of each scene. The use of slo-motion was an excellent choice in order to show the power of certain hits, and the way each actor carried themselves and their movements really created some of the best fights scenes I've seen in this franchise. Not only was the choreography amazing, but something else I believe shaped these movies was the cinematography (by Kramer Morgenthau), as each beautiful shot demonstrated how this movie wasn't just about boxing, but the life of Adonis as he adapts from a lower class life to living in LA.

Everything about this movie really created the perfect third instalment to the Creed movies, and I believe it would be the perfect end to the Rocky/Creed franchise, as Adonis finally finds his legacy, and can now continue his life watching his daughter grow up.