77. CREED III (2023) dir. Michael B. Jordan

CREED III represents a pivot in the ROCKY franchise. This ninth entry is the first not to feature Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. As such, this officially entrusts Michael B. Jordan, from both in front of and behind the camera, with the reins to the story.In a way, Adonis Creed (Jordan) now holds the reins to his story. The now-retired champion enjoys his family life with wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent). Instead of fighting, Creed manages his own fighters at Delphi Boxing Academy, his father's old stomping grounds.When childhood friend Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors) returns home from an 18-year stint in prison, all he wants is a shot at the title, the glory he feels is owed to him as payment for his robbed youth. The gentlemen have different plans for their futures and that clash leads to Adonis' toughest challenge yet.Doesn't that sound like some serious drama? The kind of stuff that'll wrench your heart, not just tug at its strings?Well, I wish I could say Jordan pulls it off, but CREED III, much to the probable disagreement from many of my friends, rarely works: a valiant but underdeveloped effort.---------------------------Review THE MOVIES on Apple Podcasts & I'll read it on the next episode!Follow The Movies on ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠& ⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠Financially support the podcast via the ⁠⁠tip jar!