After becoming a true world champion when beating a long time nemesis, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) retires from boxing. Spending more time at home with his wife, Bianca Creed (Tessa Thompson) , former singer and now music producer, and his daughter, Amara Creed (Mila Davis-Kent) , he finds himself struggling with finding a place within this new life.
As kids, young Damian Anderson (Spence Moore II), an eighteen years old close friend and local boxer, would look out for 15 year old Adonis Creed (Thaddeus J. Mixson). When they lived together in a foster home Damian would protect Adonis when their foster father would beat up on him. Damian loved boxing and became the local boxing champion. When an incident with Adonis occurred Damian sticks up for him and gets arrested and sent to jail for eighteen years.
Years later, Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors) , ex-con and friend of Adonis, returns after eighteen years in prison, when Adonis offers him an opportunity to practice at his gym, Delphi Boxing Academy. With backlash from longtime coach Tony “Little Duke” Burton (Wood Harris), son of former Apollo Creed coach and friend, and his mother, Mary-Anne Creed (Phylicia Rashad), Adonis finds things getting difficult. He is soon to discover that his new purpose in life is about to appear with a vengeance.
Director Michael B. Jordan’s first attempt at directing was successful, but did have some downfalls. The plot was predictable, but most of the Rocky films were as well. He did put together some excellent boxing scenes that show how intense these fights were. Michael did add some symbolism into some of the fights that did distract from the intenceness of the scenes. I do want to add that the excellent performance by Jonathon Majors brought this film to life and his talent did shine throughout. Also found the use of sign language for his deaf daughter Amara was interesting. This did indicate that Adonis and Bianca must have spent the hours needed to perform this language realistically.
An entertaining picture that lives up to its previous legacy stories that have entertained us since the seventies. Somehow creating our hero into an underdog always brings out the best performance by the actors and develops an exciting and strong finish to this wonderful event.
Final Comment: I based my grade on the excellent performance by the cast and the traditional Rocky style storyline.
Stars 3 out of 5
Additional Film Information
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Jonathan Majors, Tessa Thompson, Mila Davis-Kent, Spence Moore II, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Wood Harris, and Phylicia Rashad
Directed by: Michael B. Jordan
Genre: Drama, and Sport
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense sports action, violence and some strong language.
Running Time: 1 hour and 56 minutes.
Release Date: March 3, 2023
Distributed By: United Artists Releasing.
Release In: Dolby Digital, IMAX, and Standard.
