Creed 3

Plot

When Adonis’ childhood friend Damian “Diamond Dame” Anderson is released from prison after 18 years, he tracks Donnie down in order to reconnect.

Donnie, feeling guilt over a dark history with the man, assists him in his desire to ‘go pro’ at boxing. Donnie, now retired, and managing the new Heavyweight Champ Felix Chavez, allows Dame to train with him.

When a planned title fight is jeapordised, Donnie goes against everyones objections and allows Dame to fight against Chavez. But what exactly is Dame’s plan?

Direction

Michael B Jordan directs, in his debut behind the camera. He does a sound job, and like most of the films within this franchise and its predecessor, it is more to do with story and character than action.

Adonis’ growth as a husband and father are beautifully displayed, as well as a great representation of ASL, as his and Bianca’s daughter is deaf.

The boxing action is terrific as well, and I found the fight sequence between Donnie and Dame fascinating as they both had their visualisation of each other. The lonesome – representing it is ‘just them’ and also Dame’s prison cell are well portrayed.

Cast

Michael B Jordan returns (of course…) as Adonis, and he is once again rejoined by Tessa Thompson as Bianca. I really enjoy the trajectory of their family growth. It has always really been their love story that has driven this franchise, and it is beautiful to witness.

Jonathan Majors plays Damian. He physically comandeers every scene he is in, and feels as if he is the first true ‘antagonist’ within the franchise. It doesnt bode well the real life drama of the actor…

Returning to the franchise are both Ricky Conlon (played by Anthony Bellew), Viktor Drago (played by Florian Munteanu) who are all now quite friendly with Adonis.

Also returning is Wood Harris (as Duke Jr) once again getting plenty to do, Phylicia Rashad (as Mary-Anne).

New cast member is professional boxer José Benavidez Jr. who plays Felix.

The stand out is little Mila Davis-Kent who plays Amara! What a cutie.

Breakdown

Giving us more in regards to Donnie’s backstory, and his time before coming to live with Mary Anne – we are shown a series of flashbacks, that in their youth it was Dame, not Donnie who was the boxer, and that Dame’s sad history with the law came when he pulled a gun on someone Donnie was attacking.

The story is set with Donnie and Bianca, now parents to Amara, who is deaf – and relies on ASL to communicate with those around her. I found the representation for this to be well made, and it is clear that the creative team behind this film respected the community immensly. Creed is now retired from boxing, rather focusing on promoting new up and comers as he feels he has aged out of boxing professionally.

When his old friend from his youth (it was slightly comical how they kept referring to Dame as old, despite Majors being three years younger than Jordan), who missed his opportunity because of his incarceration. Creed feels guilty, as he was partly responsible for it. Those around him, Bianca, Duke Jr and especially Mary Anne question the relationship, and what Dame is really up to.

Following the cancellation of the “Title” fight between Viktor Drago and Felix Chavez after Drago is attacked in a bar fight, this leads Creed to allow Dame to fight in his stead – and the mammoth Dame wins despite fighting dirty.

This sets up the last third of the film where first we discover that Dame set up the attack on Drago (even though this could have been displayed better on screen), and Mary Anne *** sniff *** dies. So Creed comes out of retirement to fight Dame and get his title back!

I really enjoyed all of what they did here, with more attention to the backstory of Adonis – and how they handled the friendships and relationships with those around him (Bianca, Mary Anne and Duke Jr).

The way that Creed has grown as a character from the first film, to now as a loving father, husband and even as a business owner – has similarities to the preceding film franchise – but is able to stand on its own two feet with characters who are well written and just plain likeable. You like spending time with Donnie, watching him as a father and husband. The film even fades out (after his victory over Dame) with him playing with his wife and kid.

The tone is a little darker than previous films, and this was one reason that Sylvester Stallone sat this one out. But his presence isn’t actually missed. Creed has grown past his “Unc” not just as a character in the film – but we the audience are so invested in this character as well.

Overall

Well written, directed and acted. With a great ‘true villain’ and organic development of the Creed character not just in life, but relationships around him.

With just the right amount of heart, and suffering (RIP Mary Anne), this was a solid ‘third’ entry in what is sure to be an ongoing franchise – especially given Jordan’s talent in front of and behind the camera.

4/5

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