“Creed III” shows Adonis Creed, played by Michael B. Jordan, at his most vulnerable state when his past catches up with him.

“Creed III” picks up seven years after “Creed II.” 

While it isn’t necessary to watch the previous “Creed” movies to understand the content and the story, you should watch them beforehand. Otherwise, Creed’s retirement won’t make sense. 

Unlike previous movies, Sylvester Stallone’s character Rocky Balboa doesn’t appear in this movie. 

It was disappointing to not see Rocky, as he was Creed’s mentor in both of the other movies and was a critical part of Creed’s professional career in boxing. 

I wish he would’ve been in at least the last fight before Creed goes into retirement at the beginning of the movie. 

Creed’s past catches up to him when Damian Anderson — his childhood friend played by Jonathan Majors — gets out of jail and asks Creed to coach him. 

If you like a darker theme, then you’ll really like “Creed III.” The first two were set up like the “Rocky” movies, but not this one. 

This could have to do with the fact that Sylvester Stallone had nothing to do with the script; he helped write the script for “Creed II.”

Stallone’s “Rocky” movies were the inspiration for “Creed.” 

For any underdog story, there needs to be a little darkness in it, otherwise it doesn’t make as much sense.

My favorite scene was the final fight scene. The way it’s shot makes it seem like Creed and his opponent are the only two in the arena; no fans, no coaches, no mentors — just them. 

One more feature of this movie I loved was the inclusivity. Creed’s daughter Amara has the same hearing condition as her mom, Bianca. Any scene that features a conversation with her is in sign language. 

The hype music was on point, with songs like “Last Time That I Checc’d” by Nipsey Hussle and “Anthem” by Dreamville and Big Sean playing when each fighter went into the arena. 

In the last fight, Creed’s hype song was more low-key, whereas his opponent’s was very in-your-face, almost arrogant seeming, like the fighter himself. 

“Creed III” is currently in theaters.