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Creed 3 movie review 2023

Best boxing film Sylvester Stallone acting classic

By Kiruthigaran MohanPublished about a year ago 4 min read
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Michael B. Jordan, in his directorial debut, takes on the ninth film of the Rocky franchise, Creed III. He not only directs the film but stars in it as Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed. Jordan follows in the footsteps of Sylvester Stallone, who directed himself in four Rocky movies, and Ryan Coogler, who directed the original Creed. Jordan succeeds in creating a movie that both honors the legacy of the series and moves the story forward. He elicits powerhouse performances from his co-stars, including Jonathan Majors, who plays Adonis’ childhood friend-turned-adversary.

The film takes some time to establish the shared history between Adonis and his eventual competitor, Damian “Dame” Anderson. The story flashes back to 2002 Los Angeles, where Adonis sneaks out of his bedroom as a young teenager to watch Dame dominate in underground fights. A violent confrontation seals both of their fates, with Adonis going on to greatness and Dame heading for an 18-year prison term. The story then moves ahead 15 years to show that Adonis has the boxing career that Dame always dreamed of, and a jump to the present day reveals that Adonis has retired from the ring and is living a luxurious life with his wife, Bianca, and their daughter, Amara.

Jordan shows his eye for detail as he reflects the kind of wealth Adonis enjoys with his family. The minimalist elegance and creamy neutrals of their mansion instantly indicate the tasteful, peaceful persona Adonis now seeks to exude to the world. Adonis is shaping the next generation of fighters as a behind-the-scenes force at his own Delphi Boxing Academy, while Bianca is penning tunes and working with new talent as a producer. There is tension in their mix as they both still long for the spotlight that once defined them.

Phylicia Rashad returns with a crucial, graceful performance as Adonis’ mother, Mary-Anne. The frequent use of sign language as a means of communicating within the family is a meaningful, authentic touch. Their reverie is shattered with the arrival of Dame, who has toughened himself in prison and now seeks the boxing glory he believes is his due. Jonathan Majors brings a deeply unsettling energy to the role, and his imposing physicality ultimately makes him ferocious.

Jordan, along with cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau and editors Jessica Baclesse and Tyler Nelson, takes a seemingly simple scene in which Adonis and Damian share an awkward reunion dinner and tells a full, rich story with it. The close-ups, pacing, and decision to hold on an actor’s face for a beat or two longer than expected convey much meaning and subtext.

The movie gives the audience what they want: multiple training montages. When it becomes clear that Donnie must get back into shape to fight Dame for the championship, the screenplay hits all the uplifting beats you’d expect, but tosses in some clever new ones. The film has running through the streets, on the beach, up a hill, punching, and sparring. There’s even the sight of Adonis pulling an actual airplane through the sheer power of his pectorals.

When it comes time for the climactic showdown between the two warriors, Jordan makes some dazzling stylistic choices in terms of sound design, camera movements, and visual effects. The result is an electrifying film that honors the Rocky franchise’s legacy while moving the story forward. Jordan proves to be both a star and a confident, stylish director. His ambition alone is impressive, and he succeeds in creating a movie that is both entertaining and meaningful. The film’s themes of legacy, family, and the price of fame resonate long after the final bell.

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Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life after dominating the boxing world. However, when his childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), who had served a long sentence in prison, resurfaces, he is determined to prove himself in the ring. Their encounter is more than just a physical fight; it's a battle of wills. To settle the score, Adonis puts his future on the line, facing off against Damian, who has nothing to lose.

This film is rated PG-13 due to strong language, intense sports action, and violence. It's a compelling mix of drama and action that will leave audiences at the edge of their seats. The original language is English, and it's directed by Michael B. Jordan. The producers are Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Elizabeth Raposo, Jonathan Glickman, and Sylvester Stallone. The writers are Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin.

The movie is set to release on March 3, 2023, in theaters worldwide, and on March 31, 2023, for streaming audiences. The movie has already grossed $148.6M in the USA box office. Its runtime is 1 hour and 56 minutes, and the movie is distributed by United Artists Releasing. The sound mix is Dolby Digital, and the aspect ratio is Digital 2.39:1. This is a must-see film for anyone who loves a good sports drama with intense action scenes.

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Kiruthigaran Mohan

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