A third-round knockout.

Considering the sorry state Rocky V left the entire Rocky franchise in, it really is quite extraordinary that we are where we are. Nearly half a century on from our introduction to Rocky Balboa, the series has, like its iconic hero, taken its fair share of beatings, yet has come back swinging again and again.

Against all the odds, the franchise just keeps going. From the rough-and-ready charm of the first film, through the ridiculous razzmatazz of the 80s, to the crash and burn of V, and the eventual comeback after years in retirement, the series really has seen it all, and it’s testament to the enduring strength of both Rocky and the world around him that the whole franchise has not only survived but thrived.

As the perfect example of this, out of nowhere, Creed’s release in 2015 breathed new life into the punch-drunk franchise, proving to the world that there was life left in the old dog yet. With Creed II hot on its heels, it was clear this spin-off’s success was no fluke, leaving Rocky fans dreaming big once again.

With an older and wiser Michael B. Jordan back for another round, can he do what was once unthinkable and finish off a trilogy as good, if not better, than any other Rocky entry? Or will Creed III be one round too far for the franchise?

Still dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) is thriving in both his career and family life. When Damian (Jonathan Majors), a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, resurfaces after serving time in prison, he's eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. This face-off between former friends, however, is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian - a fighter who has absolutely nothing to lose.

Even with Rocky Balboa’s admirable jab at rehabilitating the franchise, the whole Rocky series was all but dead the moment V landed back in 1990. It really cannot be overstated, therefore, just how much Creed rescued things a quarter of a century later.

As both a continuation of the Rocky story and entirely its own thing, the Creed series has always been reliant on brand recognition to some degree, however, it’s clear that Adonis’ story had grand designs to be more than a mere spin-off. Tethered though he will always be to Rocky, there had to come a time when Adonis needed to step out from the shadow of his mentor and be his own hero.

And here we are. Forty-seven years and nine films into the Rocky series and the franchise takes its first tentative steps away from the man who started it all. Whatever the exact reasons behind the decision, Creed III marks the very first Rocky entry to not include Sylvester Stallone in any on-screen capacity, and while this absence is certainly felt, in many respects, it feels like the beginning of a grand new era.

Without Sly there in Adonis’ corner and without Philadelphia as the backdrop, the energy and the feel surrounding Creed III is unlike any other Rocky entry to date, and while it takes a little time for all this to sink in, there’s absolutely no doubt that the film benefits greatly from this change.

As fantastically successful as the Creed films are, it’s hard to argue that they’ve not been staunchly tied to the past. Of course, this is natural, and a huge part of the Rocky franchise’s appeal is its keen sense of history, however, when you’re trying to tell new stories and introduce new characters, there’s only so far nostalgia will get you.

These connections to the past are something all sequels must wrestle with, yet the Creed series –much like similarly minded and equally successful legacyquels Top Gun: Maverick and Cobra Kai – has managed to find a way to blaze its own trail, all while keeping one eye firmly fixed on what came before, with Creed III marking the moment it fully embraced its own destiny.

As a highly affective closer to the Adonis trilogy and one of the finest entries in the entire Rocky franchise, Creed III is a knockout success. Bolstered by Michael B. Jordan’s powerful direction (in what is, remarkably, his first time behind the camera), Creed III shakes off the absence of Rocky and the move away from Philly to end things on a real high.

While he may not have reached the almost mythical status of Sly’s Rocky, Michael B. Jordan has, in relatively quick time, managed to position himself as the new face of the franchise. With every punch, jab, and bead of sweat, you can see the passion Jordan has for Adonis, and this love comes through loud and clear both in front of, and behind, the camera.

On-screen, Jordan continues to fully embody the titular role, and although Creed III sees him in semi-retirement from the ring and out of action for much of the film’s runtime, he continues to embrace his responsibility as the franchise’s focal point, willing to honour its past while fervently carrying it into the future.

Behind it, however, is perhaps Jordan’s most prevailing contribution to the film. With his time on the franchise clearly spent soaking in all the necessary information from the likes of Ryan Coogler and Steven Caple Jr, Jordan showcases a keen sense of character and a sharp eye for visuals to craft a story that’s not only one of the most poignant entries in the entire Rocky franchise, but also its most attractive.

Drawing heavy influence from the world of anime, Jordan injects an irresistible energy into Creed III’s fight sequences unlike any Rocky/Creed entry before it. With inspired shot choices and a distinctive visual flair, the film’s bouts feel like a true step up from anything the franchise has previously offered, adding a kinetic spark that carries Creed III through even its roughest moments.

Reinforcing this energy, the inclusion of Jonathan Majors proves an absolute master stroke. Balancing the antagonistic qualities needed for any Rocky/Creed foe worth his salt, while exuding the kind of charisma money can’t buy, Majors balances irresistible charm, balletic prowess, barely controlled rage, and sheer brutality to devastating effect, further cementing himself as one of the biggest and brightest talents in the game.

His character also helps heighten Creed III’s story, giving Adonis a truly worthy opponent and undoubtedly his biggest threat to date. As with every entry in this franchise, Creed III’s fate hinges greatly on the strength of its antagonist, however, in Damian “Diamond Dame” Anderson, we have ourselves the finest opponent since Apollo.

Sure, the story itself indulges in plenty of cliches and narrative tropes that you’ll likely clock from a mile off, yet the very fact that it all works despite these issues is to everyone’s immense credit. Helped hugely by the character growth of Tessa Thompson’s Bianca, the added poignancy that an aged-up Amara (played with impossible cuteness by young Mila Davis-Kent) brings, and the continued inclusion of deafness as a crucial story cog, Creed III’s emotional punch hits just as hard as it’s in-ring one.

As both a highly affecting closer to the Adonis trilogy and the beginning of a new, exciting chapter in the long-running franchise, Creed III marks one of the finest entries of the entire Rocky series. While the absence of Sly and Philly is certainly felt, with its emotional punches landing, Michael B. Jordan’s direction on point, and Jonathan Majors offering the best antagonist since Apollo, Creed III is an absolute knockout.

Creed III is in cinemas now.