Creed III: Latest Edition of the Rocky Franchise
Cover Photo, Pic Creds: Rotten Tomatos
By: Ella Embry
Since 1976 when the original “Rocky” movie was first released, fans have constantly been craving more. So much so that they created not just a sequel, but eight more additions to the film collection. “Creed III” made its way onto the list as number nine. Like most fans, we wonder how it could get better than the first. Can new actors such as Michael B. Jordan, ever live up to the original standards that Sylvester Stallone set almost 50 years ago? I’m here to answer any questions or thoughts you may have, and personally detect if it’s worth your time.
In 2015, the first “Creed” movie was released. This was the end of “Rocky” and the start of the “Creed” trilogy. With newer movies, comes newer faces. Instead of fans seeing Sylvester Stallone in an action-packed fight, we see Michael B. Jordan take hold of the reins. Over time there was backlash about if Jordan could withhold the position as well as Stallone. In “Creed I,” we learn the story behind a man named Adonis Johnson, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan. His father and ex-boxer Apollo Creed, died before Johnson was born. Adonis seeks out help from the famous Rocky Balboa, (Sylvester Stallone), and asks to train him to carry on his father's boxing legacy. This carries on to the second movie, “Creed II,” which was released in 2018. It follows the same guidelines as Rocky trains Adonis for a dangerous match against Viktor Drago, son of Ivan Drago who killed Apollo Creed in a match to the death. With the background knowledge we have, the trilogy continues with “Creed III.”
Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors) and Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) Photo Creds: IMDb
At the beginning of the film, we learn that Adonis had a childhood best friend. Damian Anderson, played by Jonathan Majors, was a former boxer. While Adonis was fighting and gaining popularity, Anderson served time in jail. After an altercation with the police that left Johnson fleeing and Damian receiving the blame, grudges were held and not easily let go. Anderson wanted to prove himself and show that Adonis wasn’t all that he said he was. All while this is happening, Adonis is trying to care for the life he built.
While most films have tropes, “Creed III” is no different. In the Rocky series, we see the helpless wife and child at home while Rocky goes down a path of only focusing on boxing. This pattern is clearly shown in “Creed III” with Adonis’s wife, Bianca. Alongside training montages and the typical “enemy to friends” relationship, it fulfills the expectations you would have when going into this movie. Tessa Thompson, portraying Bianca Creed, does an excellent job of convincing the audience of her inner thoughts. She didn’t have to say a word, her eyes told the story for themselves.
Creed preparing for fight
Photo Creds: Backstage
Good acting isn’t the only thing that gives this movie extra brownie points. Music and effects have been and always will be a large factor in the “Rocky” film industry. The musical aspects met the emotions in each scene perfectly. Whether it be loud, headache-inducing rap to fit the stressful scenes in a fight or sad--willowing instrumentals to seek out the hopeless relationship being torn apart.
My overall impression of “Creed III” exceeded my expectations. The “Rocky” franchise is always expanding and developing new ideas and with more films, comes more opinions. The music, cinematography, and special effects were executed so professionally and made me feel as if I was watching a live boxing match. The storyline ties into the previous films and didn’t leave me with any confusion. I would recommend this movie to any previous “Rocky” fans or newcomers, as this film was perfect.
