Creed III

Yes, exactly. Without Rocky, without Sylvester Stallone, it tastes like a burger without meat. Wiping out Rocky means wiping out all the past, and all the experiences that viewers lived. There was always a balance between strength and weakness in Rocky movies. They carried it very well in Creed and Creed II. But this movie lacks balance I think.

Michael B. Jordan announced that he wants to shoot a lot of Creed movies and wants to turn them into a cinematic universe. But how do you think you can do it without Rocky in it? I mean Sylvester Stallone was the backbone of that series. People went to watch Creed because of this was the continuation of Rocky films. They were seen by viewers like Rocky 7 and Rocky 8.

Yeah, it tastes like a vegan burger. But still eatable if you are hungry.

Okay, maybe guts aren't an organ, but there are things missing in this movie. Those things and Sylvester Stallone. He's missing, and his absence is felt, when often this movie is trying so hard to make you do just that, feel.

With no heart and no guts, it's hard to do that.

The boxing scenes here feel like a video game and the non-boxing scenes feel like a Lifetime movie.

The only reason this movie is a seven and not a six, is because of the screen presence and charisma of both Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors. They are incredible.

But there is no grit. No toughness. It's too glossy.

It's nice to have a running time of under two hours. It is. But this story is unbelievable with the sudden ascent of the antagonist.

With the time given, a nice Rocky montage with cheesy rock music or even rap music would've been an effective shoutout.

The movie also takes way too long to get to the root cause of the legal incident that pulled these two guys apart as young men as well.

This is the weakest Creed film by far.

In the Rockyverse it's right at the bottom there with Rocky V.

In fighting terms this portion of the Creed trilogy is remarkably underweight at weigh-in.

The 'Creed' boxing actioner melodrama series has none of the magic of the early 'Rocky' films that it span off from - with "Creed III" a typical example. Titular champ Michael B Jordan (charismaless - also on his directorial debut here) retires to a dream LA home with pop star wife Tessa Thompson, but then moody childhood pal Jonathan Majors (good - but no Mr T) re-emerges after 18yrs in jail. Via Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin's hole-filled, cartoonish, short-cutting writing Majors becomes Jordan's nemesis, for whom he must return to the ring, to fight in a showdown finale. As lamely cheesie as it sounds it still has some Hollywood polish, but 'Creed' is definitely no 'Rocky'.

This is a real departure from other movies in the Rocky-verse. The absence of Stallone's input (ignore the 'produced by' credit to Stallone - he wasn't involved) is felt throughout the films style, writing, direction and lack of any sentimentality.

It simply doesn't feel like a Rocky/Creed movie, it's darker, more angry, more miserable and a lot less fun. But worst of all you just don't care about any of the characters...and that means no hairs on the back of your neck as you approach fight night.

On the fight, the way it was shot is very stylistic with heavy CGI and feels further removed from reality than the other movies (and hey - they weren't realistic!).

If you forget it's Creed or part of the Rocky-verse, on its own it's an 'ok' film. Stack it up against what's been before and after what was a really entertaining first and second Creed instalment/s - it's a bad movie.

Hopefully that's it now, unless Stallone gets back involved...then maybe.

A strong entry into Rocky franchise that encapsulates the boxing world both in and outside of the ring.

Adonis Creed is a retired boxer working as a promoter. Creed III explores his new life, post retirement and what it means for him and his family. An old 'brother like' friend from Creed's past, Damian Anderson played by Jonathon Majors, comes back into his life which sets off a series of events. We get to witness Creed's post boxing story whilst also witnessing Damien's much delayed boxing story.

The film was built up really well especially in the first half where it takes its time to introduce us to the characters, plot and theme of the movie. Despite being two hours long, it's clear that a lot of the movie got chopped as the second half was rushed which is a shame as the film could have given us so much more prior to the Main Event.

Johnathan Majors was fantastic. His character had menace, pain and emotion. What's great is that the relationship between Creed and Anderson was morally grey so you could empathise with both sides of the story which make the movie more heartfelt. Michael B Jordon was solid in his role as Creed as per usual and the supporting casts of actors and boxing personalities both new and old were a lot of fun.

The choreography which was influenced by MBJ's love of anime, was good despite some of the usual big screen over exaggeration and the soundtrack was fire opening up with The Watcher from from Dr Dre's 2001! Those hoping to see Rocky on screen shouldn't hold their breathe.