Page 14 - aruba-today-20230301

a14 people & arts
Wednesday 1 March 2023
Review: Michael B. Jordan delivers a brawler in ‘Creed III’

By LINDSEY BAHR ways Creed’s idea, there’s
AP Film Writer always an invitation, but
It must be a daunting pros- Dame’s sudden omnipres-
pect to pick up a franchise ence starts to feel unavoid-
on the third movie. Add able and ominous. Dame
in the pressure of follow- has a bit of Eve Harrington
ing filmmakers like Ryan in him, but also a very real,
Coogler and Steven Caple very relatable chip on his
Jr. in your directorial debut shoulder for the time he
that you’re also starring in lost. In another movie, he
and it’s enough to make could very well be the un-
you wonder what on earth derdog we’re rooting for —
Michael B. Jordan was some of the audience may
thinking. be rooting for him even so.
But “ Creed III,” in theaters Lurking behind everything
nationwide Friday, is a new is the madness that comes
start for Adonis Creed. He’s from not being able to do
finally out of the shadow of what you were born to
his father Apollo and Rocky do. It’s something athletes
Balboa, whose legacy grapple with earlier than
loomed large over the first most other professionals.
two films (Sylvester Stallone An injury at 23 could take
decided “Creed II” would you out when you’re just
be his last). With Rocky out This image released by MGM shows Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed in a scene from “Creed getting started and in this
of the way, and the young- III.” Associated Press film Creed, Dame and Bi-
er Creed solidly in place as anca are having similar
the best in the world, the lished early on with these modernist mansion with his ing aspirations where he existential crises — though
franchise can breathe a two — an unequal power daughter Amara (Mila Da- left off. Creed is pleasant Dame’s desperation is the
little and grow. and age dynamic, sure, vis Kent) and wife Bianca but guarded — for much driving force behind every-
Enter the Dame (not that but also the implication (Tessa Thompson), who has of the film he acts like an thing that happens.
kind of dame). that Dame (Spence Moore given up singing mostly to aloof celebrity, hyper con- Jordan and his filmmaking
This one is in the form of II) is more than willing to produce hit records. Life is scious of not letting anyone team craft two particularly
Jonathan Majors, an old play dirty. He carries a gun. nice for the obscenely rich in too close and compart- stunning matches full of
buddy from their teenage He fixes games. And he has in LA: The clothes are ex- mentalizing the uglier as- suspense, drama and slow
years in a group home in a hold on young Adonis. pensive, the cars are price pects of his past. Still, he motion sweat beads fly-
the early 2000s. Dame, or The flashback ends with upon request, the house al- takes him out to lunch and ing through the air. These
Damian Anderson, is a bit a violent altercation out- ways spotless and the staff offers to help him in any are only lessened by the
older than Creed. He’s the side a convenience store. unseen (save for a chef in way he can. This is both the cheesy, unhelpful an-
one who’s boxing in the Dame goes away. Creed one scene). At the gym run right thing to do and also a nouncers spouting cliches
underground matches at becomes Creed. by Duke (Wood Harris), he’s huge mistake. and no actually helpful ex-
night. The young Creed This flashback is important trying to mentor the next “Creed III” is, among other position or explanation out-
(Thaddeus J. Mixon), a little but does get the film off to generation of champions. things, about what hap- side the ring. And ultimate-
awkward, a little too eager a bit of a slow start, jump- Then Dame re-appears pens when men don’t talk ly, it’s a promising debut for
to please and a little too ing forward chronologi- and the movies gets its ur- about their feelings (and the 36-year-old, who shows
ready for trouble, is the one cally to Creed’s last fight gency back. His old pal was ignore Duke’s advice). here that he’ll never let his
carrying water (and bags and then to his present-day locked up for 18 years after At times, it also feels more own star ego get in the way
and gloves) and helping retirement life — a luxuri- that incident and is freshly like a thriller than a sports of a film: Majors steals the
him strategize. There is a ous and tranquil existence out of prison, wanting to film as you watch Dame in- show, and Jordan is there
palpable menace estab- in the Hollywood Hills in a pick up his life and his box- filtrate Creed’s world. It’s al- to capture it.q

Ready to dance? ‘Naatu Naatu’ from

‘RRR’ is coming to Oscars

Naatu “ will be performed perform the song. phy — the blockbuster’s
at the Oscars, the show’s “Naatu Naatu” has be- sole nomination — against
producers said Tuesday. come a viral sensation out- the likes of Lady Gaga, Ri-
With music by Keeravaani side of the film, racking up hanna, Mitski and David
and lyrics by Chandrab- more than 122 million views Byrne, and Diane Warren.
ose, “Naatu Naatu” is one on YouTube and inspiring Rihanna will also be per-
of the most memorable a TikTok challenge where forming “Lift Me Up,” from
sequences from the Tele- users attempt to recreate “Black Panther: Wakanda
gu-language action epic the acrobatic dance-off. Forever,” on Oscar night.
“RRR” with its catchy tune South Korean Ambassador More performances will be
and accompanying dance Chang Jae-bok’s 53-sec- announced over the next
This image released by Variance Films shows promotional art by actors Ram Charan and ond rendition has received two weeks.
for the film “RRR.” N.T. Rama Rao Jr. more than 4.8 million views The 95th Oscars, hosted
Associated Press Singers Rahul Sipligunj and since it was posted Sunday by Jimmy Kimmel, will be
By LINDSEY BAHR and dancing shoes, M.M. Kaala Bhairava will make on Twitter. broadcast live on ABC on
AP Film Writer Keeravaani’s joyously en- the journey to the Dolby The tune is competing for March 12.q
Break out those suspenders ergetic anthem “ Naatu Theatre in Los Angeles to the best original song tro-