Story and tone

The series spawned its own spin-off titled “Creed,” starring Michael B. Jordan. This project also proved so successful that it has already spawned at least three installments.

The Rocky series of films starring Sylvester Stallone has become a kind of unique achievement in the genre of sports dramas. There are no other boxing stories like it that successfully combine naivety, tension and pathos.

The life of boxer Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has reached a bright spot. He has won his title and retired from the sport to focus on his family and training the next generation. But then his childhood friend Damian “Dam” Anderson (Jonathan Majors), who spent 18 years in prison, appears in Adonis’ life. As a child, people saw Damian as a future boxing star, and now he’ll do anything to fulfill that promise. Even to the dirtiest and most despicable acts.

The Rocky series never intended viewers to take it entirely seriously. Even though they tried to make the drama in each episode as down-to-earth and understandable as possible, the plots still had enough light naivety and even simple banality in a good way. «Creed III» has adopted all these features, and the perception of the story depends entirely on how well you are able to immerse yourself in the otherworldly world of cinema.

There is no room for self-irony in Creed III or any attempts to make the story softer and more accessible. The script always hits you in the forehead and repeatedly says what was obvious between the lines at the very beginning. Because of this, sometimes you can’t shake the impression that the audience is being taken for a fool.

Visual imagination

It’s a stylish film showing LA’s elite life, sports realities, and the slums of ordinary people. Overall, the film delivers an extremely enjoyable picture, although Jordan still lacks the ingenuity to fully demonstrate his directorial talent.

You can feel the tension in every hit, and in general, watching Creed III can be compared to a real boxing match. And what can you do without a flashy montage with the protagonist training to the arrangement of the same Rocky soundtrack?

However, there was also an element of cinematic magic here – or, to be more precise, animation. After all, Michael B. Jordan is very fond of anime and does not hide it at all. And in an interview, he admitted that his love for Japanese animation was reflected in the actor’s directorial debut.

This is best noticeable in the final fight, which turned out to be as stylized and fantastic as possible. On the other hand, there is a probability that it was Jordan’s passion for anime that influenced the overall naivety and contrivance of the story. After all, what works in animation is not always suitable for films with live actors.

The main conflict between Adonis and Damian is also successful. Again, without any supernatural discoveries, but it is based on the themes of guilt, running away from oneself and suppressing one’s desires. And even if they are told through the prism of boxing, the local truths will still surely be able to resonate with many people.

Music and sound Creed

Music continues to play an important role in maintaining the spirit of the franchise. Familiar themes and training montages echo the legacy of Rocky, reinforcing emotional beats and building tension before key fights. Punches, crowd reactions, and arena atmosphere enhance realism, making each fight feel intense and immersive.

Themes Creed

The main conflict between Adonis and Damian is also successful. Again, without any supernatural discoveries, but it is based on the themes of guilt, running away from oneself and suppressing one’s desires. And even when the film tells them through the prism of boxing, these truths still resonate with many people.

Final verdict

Creed III stays true to Rocky’s emotional roots and pushes the franchise in a more personal, stylized direction. Its strengths lie in raw emotion, physical intensity, and a compelling rivalry, even if the storytelling sometimes feels overly simplistic. Despite its flaws, the film delivers enough tension and sincerity to stay engaging, especially for viewers accepting its heightened drama.

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