The Herald - The Herald Magazine
Damon Smith reviews the latest new releases to watch in the cinema Dramatic brawling but no knock-out blow
CREED III (12A)
IF actor Michael B Jordan’s directorial debut was a prize fighter, he would be confident, nimble, ambitious and quietly menacing but a tad heavy-handed with his final touches.
Written by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin, Creed III pretends to brawl to a different beat than its predecessors, which pitted prodigal son Adonis Creed (Jordan) against superior competition inside the boxing ring and found a way for the emotionally scarred underdog to emerge victorious.
Bone-crunching body shots and uppercuts are the least interesting facet of the third chapter of the franchise.
The script still orchestrates a highstakes championship showdown for its crescendo but daring artistic choices during the final bout interrupt dramatic momentum and deliver the least thrilling resolution of the sweat-drenched trilogy.
Greater narrative focus is placed on bonds between blood brothers here and Jonathan Majors – currently terrorising the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Kang the Conqueror – delivers a beautifully layered performance as a childhood friend who cunningly guilt-trips Creed into giving him a shot at a boxing title then bullishly takes full advantage once the gloves are on.
Screen rivalry with Jordan simmers and verbal exchanges between the pair pack as much force as the slickly choreographed fight sequences, which result in dislodged teeth, swollen eyes and badly bruised egos.
One emotionally manipulative interlude, telegraphed in advance, crudely provides dramatic impetus for characters to exorcise their demons and resolve differences in the usual fashion: with their fists.
Adonis Creed (Jordan) retires from boxing as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world to devote more time to his musician wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and their daughter Amara (Mila DavisKent).
“I left boxing but boxing didn’t leave me,” he professes and Creed invests heavily in a gym to unearth the next generation of raw talent.
This dedication to the sport, spearheaded by no-nonsense trainer Duke (Wood Harris), propels fighter
Felix Chavez (Jose Benavidez) to the top of his class and a televised title defence against Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu).
Childhood friend Damian Anderson (Majors) resurfaces after an 18-year stint behind bars and Creed’s carefully ordered world fractures.
Duke spots the warning signs and urges Creed to be wary of Damian – “He’s telling you who he is. Believe him!” – but almost 20 years of deep-rooted guilt cloud the former champion’s judgment.
To settle an old score, Creed may have to step back into the ring but he is out of shape and nursing injuries.
Creed III is a slugfest between the title character and his turbulent past and Jordan excels, behind and in front of the camera.
The script grinds out a satisfying spectacle over 12 rounds of male posturing and predictability, powered by muscular central performances. Although it fails to land a knockout blow, Jordan’s picture comes out swinging.
CLOSE (12A)
7/10
A seemingly unbreakable friendship between two boys shows signs of fatigue in a tender drama directed by Lukas Dhont, which is nominated as Best International Feature Film at this year’s Academy Awards.
Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele) are both 13 years old and completely inseparable, as close as blood brothers.
As the start of a new school year beckons, the boys are unprepared for the intense pressures of burgeoning adolescence and the impact this will have on their fraternal bond.
Emotions spiral out of control and there are unexpected and farreaching consequences for Leo,
Remi and their respective families.
6/10
FASHION REIMAGINED (12A)
Sustainability has become a buzzword for a fashion industry that is always looking for the next big thing.
Documentary filmmaker Becky Hunter spends three years in the company of fashion designer Amy Powney of label Mother of Pearl as she seeks to create a genuinely sustainable clothing collection from the fields where raw materials are harvested to the finished garment.
Drawing inspiration from her activist parents, Powney uses prize money from winning the Vogue award for the Best Young Designer of the Year to explore the devastating environmental impact of her industry.
She pledges to transform her business and this personal revolution includes first-hand experiences of shocking waste in the global supply chain.