The story of boxing champion Adonis Creed largely breaks away from its Rocky origins in this solidly constructed and emotive third instalment – the ninth in the overall Rocky/Creed saga. Fans of the franchise will be happy, and general viewers should enjoy this well-structured, ably performed sports melodrama. Of all the ongoing movie series in play at the moment, this is the most likely contender to be my favourite.

Creed III sees the titular boxer (Michael B. Jordan) comfortably retired from the sport, living in wealthy luxury with his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent). When he is reunited with childhood friend Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors) – recently released from a long stretch in prison – Adonis is keen to help. Damian, however, may have sinister motives in mind.

Suspense and shocking revelations simply aren’t in the dna of Rocky and Creed. The narrative of Creed III can be easily guessed from the outset, and has never been the focus of these films. We learn in the prologue, set back in 2002, that the young Damian was the skilled boxer, and that the young Adonis as good as idolised him. Damian has returned to get what he think is his by right – the World Heavyweight Championship – and will do anything above-board or illegal to get his way. The appeal here is in seeing the much-loved characters react to these new upsets and challenges, and how they resolve them.

This is a film series where the characters feel like a warm blanket. It is pleasing to revisit them, and see how their lives have changed and grown. It feels particularly effective this third time around because for the first time Adonis is not sharing the limelight with Rocky Balboa; Sylvester Stallone sits this one out, and without him there’s more time spent on Adonis’ back story, experience of fatherhood, and evolution as a character. While its story is comfortable and familiar, it is well guided by its characters. Things happen because people behave in keeping with their personalities.

Jordan and Thompson continue to develop great work together. Davis-Kent offers a superb juvenile performance, and is a welcome addition – a deaf actor playing a deaf character. As Damian, Jonathan Majors gives what is already a powerful, forceful presence. At the time of writing Majors is living under a cloud of criminal accusations, unresolved at the moment. If they torpedo his career it will be his own fault, but audiences will lose one of the most interesting American actors of recent years.

Rocky’s absence is good. It helps to immerse Creed III entirely in black culture. This is a film with strong African-American leads and the third black director for the series, with star Michael B. Jordan making his directorial debut. He does a sensational job: characters interact with purpose and richness, and the boxing bouts – always a highlight of Rocky/Creed – are energetic and powerful. It ends on a strong note, with no doubt audiences will be welcomed back in another few years to see what happens next.