It was an acceptable film, though it lost sight of the elements that initially made it worthwhile. Stallone isn’t featured in this installment, which is disappointing; it seems he’s already deciding to step away. That feels rather foolish to me. I'd prefer to see him continue with boxing and more matches—it always boils down to just a single fight. I don’t know, he appears too young to retire, and the prospect of wat…

The boxing genre can feel limited at times, as if there are few fresh narratives to explore. What distinguishes “Creed III” is that it moves away from being solely centered on athletic competition; instead, the script by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin emphasizes a heartfelt family drama. It also marks a noteworthy directorial start for Michael B. Jordan, who returns in his familiar role. Adonis Creed (Jordan) has …

The film brought "Rocky IV" to mind, except instead of a Soviet boxer posing a threat, it’s “Damian” (Jonathan Majors). “Adonis,” the former champion, is enjoying a comfortable retirement, financially secure and content with his family while also overseeing the gym alongside “Duke” (Wood Harris). One day, he encounters someone sitting on his car and learns this person is actually a childhood friend who spent the last…

Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) seems to be doing well; he has a wife, Tessa Thompson, a daughter, Mile Davis-Kent, and has stepped away from boxing after defeating an old opponent and securing his place in history. He now spends time with his family and works with young fighters at his gym, preparing the current champion for his upcoming bout against Viktor Drago. A figure from Creed’s earlier years unexpectedly…

Though not the strongest entry in the franchise, Creed III manages to inject fresh energy and imagination into the series. The Rocky/Creed movies are at their finest when the antagonist is as compelling, or even more so, than the hero, and this is particularly clear in Creed III. Damien Anderson, portrayed skillfully by Jonathan Majors, proves to be a sympathetic adversary with a significant link to Adonis Creed’s…