Michael B. Jordan continues his impressive film career, by taking the directing reigns in “Creed III.” Having arrived on the scene in “Fruitville Station” (2013) playing the role of Oscar Grant, the young man who was shot on New Year’s Eve while being handcuffed at the Fruitville Station in Oakland, CA, his career continues to skyrocket. Next, he played boxer Adonis Creed in “Creed” (2015), of the Rocky series, and in 2018, he starred as Erik Killmonger in “Black Panther.” He has an impressive career, writing credit for the first two films, and now making his exciting directorial debut in “Creed III” (2023). Yes, the last ten years have been a constant climb upward in Hollywood, starring, writing, and directing award-winning films. Which “Creed III” followers in this pattern of excellence.
Here’s the great news, in “Creed III,” not only are the boxing scenes choreographed to perfection with a creative filming flare added, but the primary story is also crucial to the film. We first meet Adonis and his family, a sweet young deaf daughter, Amara, Mila Davis-Kent, the ever-talented wife, Tessa Thompson (“Passing”), his mom, the iconic Phylicia Rashad, and his childhood friend Damien, played by the brilliant Jonathan Majors of (“Devotion”), and (“Magazine Dreams”). With an all-star cast and a deeply written script that goes full circle, “Creed III” is a knock-out.
The story is of childhood friends who reconnect after Damien has been released from prison for the last 18 years. Creed welcomes him into his life, home, and his boxing rink. Soon, the past catches up with both men, and things start to take an interesting turn. All the acting is fantastic, full of emotion and depth. Here, the script is key, which carries all into a winning film. I’d also say that Coogler has a future in directing—his creative shots and tightly framed scenes all added to the film’s impressive look.
Hollywood 360 Radio Podcast: https://bit.ly/Creed_III_OuterBanks_S3_SKA