Creed III

I enjoy that even in the ninth movie from a single universe, there are still new topics to explore, combining motifs from forgotten episodes (Rocky III, Rocky V) and intertwining them with side storylines from Donnie's separate stories. I just wish that in the social drama, which was so believably built up in the first half, would constitute an even stronger and more daring effort to move away from the inevitable turn towards the ring. Fortunately, even there, Michael B. Jordan is incredibly confident in the director's position and despite rolling out all the expected genre clichés, he gives Adonis' character a touch of maturity. The intimacy is much appreciated, when amidst rhythmic beats, he is not afraid to slow down completely and let Jonathan Majors' charisma, as well as his own, have an impact. (15/03/2023)

The third Creed turned out to be a very solid and confident directorial debut. We know Michael B. Jordan can deliver in front of the camera in this role, but he can deliver behind the camera too. Especially in the first part, which is more about dialogue and the coming together of two old friends who meet years later, with some ugly events from the past coming back into both of their lives. Jonathan Majors is a worthy partner to Jordan, both in the dialogue exchanges and trying to rekindle an old friendship, and in the ring where he comes across as an unstoppable beast. Overall, however, Creed III is unexpectedly better on the non-boxing front, but towards the end it feels a little rushed and at times slightly pathetic and perhaps even a little laughable at some points. Definitely better than last time, though, and also better than I would have expected when it was announced that the inexperienced Jordan would take over directing. Despite the occasional stumbles, he's managed to grow to the point where he can get by without Rocky; even without Stallone. (02/03/2023)

Homie here, homie there, and in the words of the guys from Moviezone, I guess I'd sum it up by saying "nice, but kind of shit". I would give five it stars for the inventively cut final fight, when the audience suddenly disappears around the ring, the background changes colour and you can feel only the fervor of the two fighters. But the rest follows a very beaten path, with some sort of family or relationship cliché that missed me by a wide margin, and I counted zero moments of surprise. I don’t even think that this has added anything to the franchise as a whole. When I think of Sly sweetly getting Adrian in the first Rocky, that was something else. So in a nutshell: watch and forget. (28/04/2023)

Breathtakingly shot fights are not enough to make a good film. And in the case of Creed 3, this is doubly true. The initial enthusiasm for an interesting take on the boxing underdog Rocky was quite right, but if the second adventure was running half throttle despite all its potential in the form of Dolph Lundgren and Sly, the third one is just the fumes from which nothing much can be made. The last Creed thus remains a purposeless editing exhibition of contact fights and hip-hop bangers, while the dramatic line with the boys from the hood is lethargic and pulled out of thin air, and therefore has no chance of success. (20/04/2023)

Adrenaline and testosterone pumping boxing romp! Michael B. Jordan makes his debut and excels both in front of and behind the camera, making for me the best boxing drama I have ever seen. It has everything, included heart, rage and power. Creed is now retired and enjoying his family life. He has a great wife, a lovely daughter, a luxury villa, money, respect – everything he ever wanted. But his idyllic life is disrupted by an old friend who returns from prison after 18 years and longs to become a champion. Jonathan Majors, a vicious beast and spineless bastard, the best bad guy in boxing movies ever, takes the whole franchise and the film to a whole new level. The rivalry, the uncomfortable stuffy atmosphere between him and Creed is almost chilling, and all these confrontations in the dramatic line are more than great, intense, well acted, it leaves the viewer breathless. The fight in the middle of the film between Chavez and Mayors is the greatest in-ring carnage I've ever seen, the blood almost flowed out of my nose and onto my nachos. The fights feel very dynamic, gritty and authentic thanks to modern technology and camera work. You feel all the punches are felt and all the fights have an amazing atmosphere (the entrances are legendary), and during the finale, where Jordan very originally removes the audience and focuses only on the two rivals, it was a visual boxing extravaganza the world of movies has never seen. I was sweating, I was cheering, I was screaming, I was freaking out. I was more pumped up with adrenaline and testosterone than both of them combined, and the hyped up soundtrack gave me chills like nothing I've heard in a long time. I am happy! 9/10. (02/03/2023)