Five years after the last installment of the “Creed” franchise, “Creed III” finally released on March 3, 2023. Michael B. Jordan took charge of this film with the role of the director as well as the titular role. I was very excited for the movie because the previous movies were very good at telling a story, and this movie doesn’t lack emotion in the slightest.

There are some big differences in this movie compared to the previous two. This movie follows a retired Adonis Creed (played by Michael B. Jordan) through personal turmoil while almost all the boxing is following Damian Anderson (played by Jonathan Majors) and him making it to the top until Adonis Creed tries to reconnect with him, and their past gets in the way.

Fans of the franchise showed their disappointment after they saw Sylvester Stallone, who played Rocky in the adjacent franchise “Rocky,” wasn’t in the trailer. Some fans shared their opinion of the trailer over twitter and other social media saying if he isn’t in the movie they won’t watch it. Initially, I too wanted Stallone to be in the movie, but after watching “Creed III,” I felt satisfied without his presence. Rocky was a crucial part of getting Adonis into the boxing world and helping him make a name for himself and proving his family name after Adonis makes peace with himself. In “Creed II,” there doesn’t seem a need to keep Rocky going in this franchise other than him being a fan favorite. Although the absence of Rocky was certainly off putting when watching the movie, it didn’t throw a wrench in the whole movie.

One aspect of the film I enjoyed most was the use of sound. The movie’s use of sound and lack of sound when Adonis is signing with his daughter, who is deaf, and wife, who has hearing aids, adds a new dimension to the movie you don’t normally see, not only does it add depth to this movie, but it is also continuing a storyline from the previous movies and showing the progression of this story.

The actors’ emotions are strong, and you can tell that they know their character’s background and what they are fighting for. The connection between Adonis Creed and Damian Anderson on screen makes you feel like you are there with them at the moment– especially when Michael B. Jordan has almost all the sound disappear. There is a silent shot during the boxing match when only the steps on the ring and the breathing of the two actors can be heard. The cinematographer does amazing movements to convey the match as an emotion filled and crazy moment by moving the camera in a wave like pattern with some shaking. There are more amazing moments like that with close up slow-motion shots when Adonis gets hit right where a previous injury was showing how brutal and painful it is to get hit in those spots.

But this movie isn’t without faults. There are certainly scenes that are unnecessary or a bit stagnant and don’t keep the same pace that was set at the beginning of the movie.

Overall, the movie was fantastic and worth a watch. If Sylvester Stallone is what is stopping you from watching the movie, it might be worth watching just for cinematography and the soulful story.