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Creed III is the 9th film in the Rocky/Creed franchise and with Michael B. Jordan stepping up to make his directorial debut, he faces the impossible task of keeping up the standards of this well established and adored franchise.
It has been five years since Creed II and you can tell some time has passed by how meticulously crafted every element is. Jordan’s directing is smooth and polished. Every frame looks unwrinkled and this is especially impressive as he follows Sylvester Stallone's challenge of starring in the movie as well, as the titular Adonis Creed. He pulls some impressive moves when crafting this film and considering he's directing the ninth installment, adding new elements to the tired format of this series is a feat in itself. He brings more slow motion into the fights which isn’t necessarily new but the way he utilizes it to emphasize Adonis's thought patterns are especially genius. It's an incredibly fun and clever way to shoot the fights whilst keeping the camera involved in the action.
Jordan also creates a feast for the eyes in the final fight, visually independent from anything we've seen from this series before so it's safe to say that he brings his own unique flavour to a franchise nearly 5 decades in. He does fall short however in some aspects, particularly the montages which this franchise is very much famous for. There's a small sequence of Damian “Dame” Anderson (Jonathan Majors) in his home that should be a quickfire montage scene to rile up the main antagonistic force but it more-so comes across as a cheaply made music video edit. The final montages feel sloppily put together as if Jordan studied the previous great training montages and tried to replicate them without knowing what really made them special. He forgot to add his own flare to these moments and the film suffers for it.
The film tries to relate to Rocky 3 whilst keeping its originality. Like Rocky in Rocky 3, Adonis has become a domesticated fighter which Mickey explained as the worst fate for a fighter. Both Rocky and Adonis have to overcome that fate to win their fights. But in being domesticated, Adonis has become a father. This is a theme that gets touched on slightly but isn't as explored as much as it should be. The film relies heavily on ASL in this storyline which could be a risk, forcing the audience to understand large parts of the film through subtitles. This is treated as normal, which adds a nice layer to the film. The film never fully realizes the fatherhood aspect. Adonis is never forced to strain and the film attempts to show a glimpse of what that could look like but never commits to building that struggle.
The soundtrack is great and the vibe of the entire film is unique to this installment. Dr. Dre’s 'The Watcher' plays over the beginning flashback and a soundtrack exclusive remix reprises the ending. It's a good way to show the time gap and also how different Adonis has become in that time. You’ll also hear some older Rocky themes but altered slightly which serves as a subtle metaphor for the franchise.
The final resolution is well written but definitely not needed. There is an attempted commentary on legacy which was already covered in Creed and Creed II, reducing that theme to filler. This will likely not be the final installment in this franchise but it should be. It's a strong ending with some unique qualities, but the formula for the franchise is getting repetitive and I don't know how much longer it can last. With that said, I had a brilliant time with Creed III and would definitely recommend it to any fan of the series. For now, I'm going to give Creed III a... 7 out of 10 AuthorKritPick has been writing reviews for The Oscar Project since 2022. Check out all his reviews on his main review page. Follow him on YouTube (KritPick Productions) and Twitter (@Kr1tical).
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Sylvester Stallone, for as big a movie star that he is, has been severely underrated as an actor, director, and writer for as long as he's been around. He may be the most underrated in those areas as he has been constantly overshadowed by minimal character work in huge action blockbusters that litter his career. Rocky is different. Almost every great filmmaker puts a piece of themselves in their movies, be it a place, a person, a time, but Sylvester Stallone and Rocky Balboa feel synonymous in a way that very few directors accomplish. Even beyond this film, their journeys match to a fault, they have a vicarious way of living. That's the first beauty of this film. But inside the film? That's where all the flowers bud and blossom. From the very first scene you learn nearly all there is to learn about Rocky as a character in a short fight scene. Rocky isn't a great boxer, he's not a great listener, he has a soft soul, he's the underdog, but most importantly, he has heart. This film is not a boxing film and I'd be lying if I said it were even a sports film. This is a movie about worth, motivation, dreams, and will. But on top of all that, this is a romance story. There is so much commentary about the value of never giving up on having your moment and of proving yourself worthy. Many characters in cinema feel like their journey began when the cameras start rolling, but Rocky feels lived in as a person, like he has a history, despite us not being told what it is. I love that he initially turns down the fight. He feels nervous but mostly, his respect for Apollo (Carl Weathers) and the sport makes him feel unworthy. This also plays into him eventually losing the final fight which is awfully unconventional for a hero's journey story but is essential for this one. This film isn't about winning or losing, it's about going the distance, literally and metaphorically. The scene with Mickey (Burgess Meredith) at Rocky's house is by far the best. As simple as Rocky is, he sees straight through Mickey's motivations. He doesn't fold to his fake love or phony adoration. He rejects him because he knows he isn't respected and never has been. His outburst is so real and the best Stallone has ever been and may ever be. Eventually though, he heeds Mickey's advice because regardless of intention, he's right. Apollo being the protagonist is what helps sell the story of Rocky because he is the very antithesis of Rocky. He's confident, cocky even. He's an expert fighter, successful, nonchalant but crucially, he has no heart. Paulie (Burt Young) is despicable and vile but for some reason I feel for him. Adrian (Talia Shire) however, is the soul of this film. The relationship she has with Rocky is the perfect example of opposites attracting. Rocky usually just talks at Adrian, not really to her. He doesn't know how. Yet Adrian listens, occasionally giving back, but mostly allowing Rocky to express himself. The conversation between them the night before the fight represents everything this film is leaning on. Stallone insisted on keeping this scene, despite being behind on production. He called it the most important scene...and I agree. The admission of doubt and fear from Rocky only for Adrian to understand and comfort, has always been the heart of this series and it begins right here. It's the most vulnerable we see Rocky. It's the most articulate we see Rocky. It's the most we see Rocky. Beyond the characters, the filmmaking is rough but superb. There is a minute long sequence, without cuts, of Rocky cracking eggs in a glass. In another film this would be boring and unnecessary but here, it feels worth it. The pacing is astonishing with a perfect build to the final moments including a montage scene as iconic and smile-inducing today as it was in 1976. The music is iconic, the characters are iconic, the stairs are iconic. I also love that Joe Frazier makes a cameo in this film. It grounds this world with our own in a subtle way. This movie has been gushed over, talked about, and studied since it came out and it’s not hard to see why. Despite the great lengths this franchise goes, despite how big Sylvester Stallone got, and despite the lack of relevancy of this character in a modern world, this movie is, and will always be, the greatest and most humble example of the underdog story. 10 out of 10 AuthorKritPick has been writing reviews for The Oscar Project since 2022. Check out all his reviews on his main review page. |
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