Source: VIBE.com
The third installment in the Creed series is here and it is fantastic! Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut is a solid starting point to what I hope is a long directorial career. All the cast of characters from the prior movies are here except for Rocky (Sylvester Stallone). There were moments when Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) needed him to get through the things that he was going through. In this third installment, we learn about Adonis childhood and why he the way he is.
Source: MGM Youtube Channel
We learn that Adonis “Donnie” Creed and Damian “Diamond Dame” Anderson (Jonathan Majors) grew up together in a group home. The young actors that played Donnie (Thaddeus J. Mixon) and Dame (Spence Moore II) showed that they had a bond and that Dame aspired to be a champion boxer. There was a major event that changed the lives of Donnie and Diamond Dame forever.
Fast forward and we find that Adonis has had a successful boxing career and now has a gym for up and coming fighters , as well as champions like Felix Chavez ( Jose’ Benavidez Jr.) In this movie, we see some characters from the first movie like Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu) and Pretty Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew). Adonis and Tony ‘Little Duke” Evers ( Wood Harris) are partners in Delphi Boxing Academy. Adonis is still happily married to Bianca (Tessa Thompson) is a singer, producer and their beautiful daughter Amara Creed (Mila Davis-Kent). All is well in Creed’s life until the arrival of Diamond Dame.
Diamond Dame’s arrival brings all of Adonis past quickly into the forefront; not knowing how to deal, Adonis does what anyone would do and turn to his mother, Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashad). Mary Anne helps Creed learn what Diamond is about. The scenes between Michael B. Jordan and Phylicia Rashad were intense and emotional. This was a dramatic acting at its best.
Jonathan Majors lights up the screen every time he appears. The interaction between Jonathan and Michael is electric. I see why Michael wants to do more movies with him. Jonathan brings anger, envy and emotion to the character of Diamond Dame. His purpose is revenge for the life that he thought he should have but that Adonis got. The back and forth between Creed and Dame has you root for Creed, but you also understand why Dame feels the way that he does. Bianca is a supportive wife, but Adonis is also very supportive of her. They are couple that works as team in their individual businesses and with raising their daughter. The only bump in their relationship was Adonis not opening up about his past and his relationship with Damian.
Michael B. Jordan did an excellent job in his directorial debut. The way he lit him and Dame in dark and light and then the reverse later in the movie hits home the emotions that the two old friends are going through. The best scene that was shot in the movie is the most intense scene in the movie, which is the final fight. The marriage of the cinematography (Kramer Morgenthau) and Michael’s direction made that fight scene intense, emotional and beautiful all at the same time.
Creed III is an entertaining movie that is a must see. The acting and the look of this film is excellent. Michael B. Jordan learned a lot being on movie and television sets for most of his life and it shows. Plus, his love for anime clearly shows in the fight scene and it makes the fights epic. Does this movie have flaws, yes but you quickly overlook them because of the enigmatic Jonathan Majors. All the principle cast was good and you go through so many emotions watching this movie. Creed III is a must watch movie, especially in theaters.
In my opinion this is the best one. The acting was amazing. It appears the 4th one will have the daughter fighting in the ring or in the streets.