About the film (courtesy of MGM):
After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving win his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. But the face-off between former friends is more than just a fight, and to settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line.

Has the Creed franchise already become a bit punchy three rounds into its film fight. Depending on where you’re getting the definition from, in this case the Cambridge English Dictionary, the answer is a unanimous YES. Creed III sees the return of Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) as he’s winding down on his successful career while enjoying the fruits of his hard earned labor with his wife (Tessa Thompson) and young daughter (Mila Davis-Kent). It is here that he is reunited with a chapter from his past in Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors), who is looking to become the new future.

Creed III keeps with the familiar formula as experienced in previous films with the ups, downs and back ups again as many of these movie templates have been crafted. With Michael B. Jordan taking over the role of directing from Ryan Coogler who helmed the first and Steven Caple Jr. who directed the second, more responsibility lands on his plate, which is a fight right there. It’s evident that Jordan is passionate about the character’s development, but is he too close truly give this story what it needs to take it to the next level?

The story between Adonis and Damian is one that has promise, yet it somehow stalls part way through, feeling shallow and somewhat forced even. The performances are good, not great, with the overall plot feeling less than fresh. I do respect the approach of keeping the runtime under two hours. This should keep the audience mostly engaged as you work through some of the mundane body work that needs to be told.

As for the slang term, “punchy” as Cambridge defines it – tired and confused, especially after dealing with a difficult situation. Yes, this is technically only a trilogy, however, the script has been one that those familiar with its parent Rocky franchise have become quite familiar with. Not that any of these films are anything less than predictable, but there was something heartfelt and emotional about previous films that Creed III just didn’t reach. And that’s not to say that it’s bad or disappointing, it simply lacks a special component to really create that strong emotional bond.

It might be time to finally hang up the gloves on this franchise and retire while there’s still a little positivity to be had. I know it’s asking a lot since many in this profession, both acting and boxing, stay well past their prime. Creed III is just entertaining enough to make you feel as though your time isn’t wasted, yet it lacks the quality needed to make you want to come back to watch another round.

Check out Creed III in theaters while it’s on the main stage before it gets knocked out by the next contender. By my estimations, that gives you two weeks at best and then you’ll be relegated to some of the “lessor auditoriums” in your local theaters. In theaters Friday, March 3rd with early showtimes Thursday evening.