MOVIE REVIEW: back in the ring with “Creed III”

“Creed III” is the newest addition to the Creed franchise that premiered on March 3, 2023. The plot of the movie revolves around the fact that Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) is still on the top of the boxing world. His career and family life are currently thriving. That is, until a childhood friend named Damian (Jonathan Majors) comes back into his life after a fifteen-year jail sentence. Dame was once a boxing prodigy before serving time in prison. Now that he is out, he’s eager to show everyone that he deserves the life that Adonis is living. To settle a score, Adonis must put his future on the line to take on Damian, who is a man with nothing to lose.

Heartfelt performances

Michael B. Jordan does it yet again with an amazing acting display in “Creed III”. From the first moment he steps on the screen, he falls back into the role of Adonis Creed as if it was meant for him. Jordan also chose this film to be his directorial debut. He makes some stunning choices in terms of style, sound design, camera movements and visual effects to keep the audience on the edges of their seats.

Jonathan Majors, who takes the antagonist role, also gives a perfect performance. His character, Damian, is brought in and incorporated fluidly as if he has been there all along. The moment you see him on the screen, it’s obvious that he has been both physically and mentally preparing for this role. Majors does a great job of making Dame a character that we hate, but can understand. You can tell from his acting in this film that he will continue being a mainstay in Hollywood. With Majors also being in “Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” this makes two simultaneous movies in theaters. He clearly portrays a conqueror in both films.

The on-screen chemistry between the two is electric. Whether it be in plot-building conversation or in combat, sparks fly between the two actors. Every scene—either in or out of the ring—is stunning.

More than a slugfest

From beginning to end, every word spoken and scene was wonderfully executed. The film is yet another telling of an underdog story, but from the other side. This is because the audience comes into the story knowing that Adonis Creed has already made a success for himself. Now, they encounter Damian who is trying to reclaim the life he feels is owed to him.

On the surface, the film seems like a movie about two men beating up each other, but it’s more than that. Adonis and Damian portray two sides of the same coin. Adonis is all precision and control in the ring; Dame is rough and raw, fighting as if his life depends on it. There are many ways of showing where the diverging paths of their lives lead. Everything from their demeanor to the way they fight shows that these two men are fundamentally similar, yet are so very different.

Reviews for this film so far are positive. Roger Ebert gives “Creed III” a 3.5/5 stars, Rotten Tomatoes comes with an 87% and IGN hands it a 8/10. The audience score from Rotten Tomatoes has it at 96%. To watch this movie, viewers should watch the others in the trilogy first, but “Creed III” is easily a must see.