The highly anticipated third instalment to the Creed franchise is hitting cinemas this week on 3rd March. I was lucky enough to check out the film at an early press screening thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures UK in glorious IMAX and I was not disappointed.
In the opening sequence we are introduced to a young Adonis Creed sneaking out of his home to hang with his older friend Damian. They head over to a shady night club hosting a boxing show where Damian fights inside the ring winning by spectacular fashion. On the journey home we learn of Damian’s aspirations to become Olympic champion and turn pro and eventually become Heavyweight Champion of the World. Unfortunately these dreams come to a staggering halt and his World comes crashing down when a violent altercation derails any sort of a future for him. Cut to modern day and we find ourselves sharing the ring with Adonis on his retirement fight against foe Ricky “Pretty” Conlan played by real life boxer Tony Bellow. When we all think it is over for Adonis and the win is in the bag for Conlan, Adonis pulls out a rib crunching body shot that stops Ricky in his tracks and seals the deal for Adonis, a move that was taught to him by his old pal Damian.
Three years have passed and we reconnect with Adonis comfortably in retirement juggling the roles of boxing promoter and father to his beautiful daughter Amara played by the cute (Mila Davis-Kent). Who steals the show in a wonderful loving moment with her father, when he is dressed in a dinosaur onesie at a princess tea party. Early on we can see that the deafness of their daughter has not held her back and big praise must go out to Michael B. Jordan introducing the use of sign language and highlighting the disability throughout the film. We then see the return of Bianca (Tessa Thompson) who has taken on the breadwinning role in the relationship, becoming a big time music producer who is still struggling to come to terms with her own loss of her singing capability. Everything seems to be going so well for the Creed’s with their new boxing prospect Felix Chavez (Jose Benavidez) with the heavyweight title belt and Adonis on the verge of signing the deal for him to face off against Viktor Drago. Suddenly life throws him a curve ball that quickly spirals out of control. His old friend Damian (Jonathan Majors) returns after serving 18 years in prison for the violent altercation when they were both younger. Straight away we can see Adonis demeanour completely change and clearly his past still haunts him today with many demons he still has to face.
With the regret of forgetting about his long lost friend he gives him a lifeline as a sparring partner for their champ Felix. Unbeknownst to Adonis, Damian has his sights set on that dream he had many years ago and will do anything in his power to achieve it. Welcoming his friend “Dame” into his family home introducing him to his daughter and wife he truly believes he can make amends and fix the past. Bianca can see something is troubling her husband but he won’t open up to her about his emotions and decides to fight the voices in his head the only way he knows how.
Between the drama inside and outside the boxing ring there is a heartfelt scene where Amara is bullied at school and her father does what any other father would do and sticks up for her. Bianca is not so keen to lead her daughter down the path of protect at all cost route, this argument is left for another day.
At a record label launch party hosted by Bianca all hell breaks loose which puts doubt on the upcoming fight between Drago VS Chavez. With their backs against the wall Adonis comes up with a plan that screams the opportunity his father (Apollo Creed) offered Rocky, an underdog a shot at the biggest title in the World. He makes the deal and the fight is on between Damian and Chavez, despite comeback from his trainer Duke who thinks it is a terrible idea, he goes with his gut instinct.
The stage is set, queue the Showtime TV featurette that builds the tension surrounding this fight. When it comes to the fights themselves this is where the choice of filming in IMAX really pays off. You can feel the adrenaline during both the fighters walk outs and when it comes to the fighting action you are taking the blows when they are. In this fight you realise Damian isn’t leaving that ring without the belt by all means necessary. After some rule breaking tactics Damian becomes victorious leaving Chevez injured on the canvas, my first thought was not another repeat of Rocky 4, luckily on this occasion they didn’t go that far.
In between all the action and emotional turmoil there is added greater sadness when Adonis’s beloved mother played by Phylicia Rashad falls ill. Her one goal in life was to protect her son from the troubles of the World and with the return of Damian she feels that she has failed her role. After some evidence is unveiled that sheds some light on the situation it proves that Damian hasn’t got Adonis’s back on this occasion only has eyes on his underlining agenda.
The next sequence is very enjoyable with a live chat show turned ugly and threats are thrown down with a challenge set, Damian VS Adonis.
You know what is coming now haha! Yes the training montages and they went all out on this occasion with some unorthodox methods including pulling a plane. Duke, Adonis’s trainer lists a number of injuries that he now processes due to his previous fights, something of a repeat from Rocky Balboa when he comes out of retirement. One thing that can be said is that both Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors put the time in to show up in tremendous shape and with formidable physiques. During Adonis’s training he must find himself again and understand why he is doing this, not only for himself but for his family.
It’s FIGHT NIGHT TIME! Again with the live arena atmosphere and the flamboyant firework display they have pulled out all the stops when it comes to making this film standout. We now get to indulge in three rounds of intense boxing action, with the camera staying inside the ring, up close and personal inside the pocket of action. You can actually feel the heat and sweat coming off the bodies from the IMAX screen. Big hats off to Clayton Barber the fight choreographer who delivered on all counts, making this fight explosive. One downside of having the camera so close and not showing from outside the ring, the fight at times felt very choreographed and less gritty from previous Rocky and Creed outings.
What comes next is somewhat of a creative decision that made me question Michael B. Jordan’s choice of cinematography. Taking the background out and just leaving the two fighters inside the ring to battle it out, I understand what he was trying to achieve making the audience feel exactly what the fighters are feeling but I think this is a case of trying too hard and it just didn’t hit the target on this occasion, completely taking us out of the story. Once we have returned to the norm we are into the final round of the fight, which left me feeling slightly cheated and missing the long fight montages we have learned to love in the Rocky and Creed films. However despite all these minor flaws the final round delivers a knockout blow and fills you with pride for Adonis.
The final two scenes close this chapter perfectly. With Adonis consoling Damian after the lose and Damian returning the favour finally allowing Adonis to forgive himself for his past actions. The final sequence is him and his daughter sharing a sweet moment inside the ring, is this a nod of where they are planning to take the story, are we going get a female led Creed film? Only time will tell.
My closing thoughts on this third instalment to the Creed franchise is as follows –
The Pros
Round 1 – Telling us a new story and showing a different side to Adonis
Round 2 – Creating a new character within Damian, who we learn to love to hate
Round 3 – Showcases hearing disability
Round 4 – Bringing us a whole new meaning to the word up close and personal in a fight
Round 5 – Developing the character of Bianca
Round 6 – Showing us something new in the training montages
Round 7 – Both characters showing up in incredible shape
The Cons
Round 8 – Completely disregarding any link with Rocky Balboa, when there was opportunity to mention the character they didn’t
Round 9 – Tried too hard when it came down to the final fight with the green screen sequence
Round 10 – Too heavy and tacky product placement of Hennessy
Round 11 – Fights felt too choreographed at times and less gritty
Round 12 – Soundtrack was disappointing
Photo credit: Ser Baffo
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it actually got me pumped enough to want to re-watch the whole Rocky and Creed franchise from the start. I hugely recommend to watch the film how it was intended to be seen in the glorious IMAX format you will thank me for it. It was an exceptional directorial debut for Michael B. Jordan. Creed III is a great addition to this iconic saga, long may it continue.
My final verdict a high punching 4 out 5 knockouts
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF WARNERS BROS. PICTURES UK
© 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved
CREED is a trademark of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.