Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Jordan directs and stars in intense, moving threequel.
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Creed III
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
What's the Story?
In CREED III, Adonis "Donnie" Creed (Michael B. Jordan) is enjoying life after his retirement from professional boxing. He runs a successful boxing gym and is a well-respected promoter and ambassador for the sport. He has built a loving family with his award-winning music producer wife, Bianca (Tessa Thompson); their precocious deaf daughter, Amara (Mila Davis-Kent); and Donnie's attentive mother, Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashad). Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Donnie's childhood friend and former Golden Gloves champ Damian "Dame" Anderson (Jonathan Majors) gets out of prison after nearly two decades and seeks Donnie out. He wants a second chance at what prison deprived him of: a title shot in professional boxing. Plagued with guilt and feeling partially at fault for Dame's arrest and imprisonment, Donnie gives him a place in the gym -- over Tony's (Wood Harris) objections -- as heavyweight contender Felix Chavez' (Jose Benavidez) sparring partner. But soon Dame's ambitious demands and Creed's guilt lead to an antagonistic rivalry that can only be resolved in the ring.
Is It Any Good?
This is an intense, moving installment in a franchise that has always centered on family, friendship, and perseverance, and Jordan and Majors are brilliant as friends turned adversaries. Jordan's directorial debut is a seamless continuation of Ryan Coogler's established story and themes (his brother, Keenan Coogler, is a co-writer), bringing everything closer to home by focusing on Donnie's past trauma and how a childhood friend's incarceration changes him. The flashbacks, featuring Thaddeus J. Mixson and Spence Moore II as 15-year-old Donnie and 18-year-old Dame, provide an integral look at how Adonis' life might have turned out had Mary Anne not adopted him. And although there are several boxing sequences, the heart of this story is once again the character development, with Donnie finally processing painful memories and learning to open up to his amazing wife (Thompson is fabulous as Bianca).
In addition to the main cast, the supporting ensemble continues to captivate, with Harris' Duke and young Kent-Davis stealing scenes and reminding viewers how much of a supportive circle Donnie has around him -- something that Dame utterly lacks. The soundtrack, executive-produced by J Cole, includes propulsive tracks from rapper Bas, Ghanaian recording artist Black Sherif, and Nigerian producer Kel-P. Kramer Morgenthau's cinematography, coupled with Jessica Baclesse and Tyler Nelson's editing, creates tautly framed, emotional, and immersive boxing scenes that, while bloody, convey each fight's high stakes. Majors and Jordan should consider starring in more films together, because their chemistry, natural gravitas, and acting range are unparalleled. Audiences will be impressed with Jordan's nuanced performance and Majors' humanized "heel" turn. The only question left is whether the Creed franchise will continue to put Donnie through the ringer -- or whether it's time to move on to the next generation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Creed III. Does it seem realistic? Is it necessary? Does sports-related violence impact viewers differently than other kinds of violence?
Parent-child relationships are a key part of this film. How did that part of the story affect you?
Discuss the movie's representation of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Is it positive? Why is representation important?
Who do you consider a role model in the movie? What character strengths do they demonstrate throughout the story?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 3, 2023
- On DVD or streaming: March 31, 2023
- Cast: Michael B. Jordan , Tessa Thompson , Jonathan Majors
- Director: Michael B. Jordan
- Inclusion Information: Black directors, Black actors, Female actors, Latino actors
- Studio: United Artists Releasing
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time: 116 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: intense sports action, violence and some strong language
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: June 23, 2023
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