Creed

Rating: 3/10 (19 February 2016)

Rocky is a landmark film. A great. The series slowly declined, trading gritty characters and dialogue for hollow blockbuster shenanigans. The films in the series gradually got worse, culminating in V which was basically pants. Rocky Balboa saw a return to form in my opinion. Once again putting character and setting for spectacle. I was hoping that Creed would do the same. To follow the rejuvenation that took place with Balboa.
Sadly not. In my opinion this sits midway between the two. It dips into the world of believable characterisation and plot but ultimately keeps the Hollywood schmaltz in spades. I deliberately read nothing about this film before seeing it but could have predicted it anyway. As it rolled out on screen everything was predictable and a tad bland. And the main protagonist, Creed, had none of the natural charm and charisma of Rocky. There are occasional sparks of chemistry between Balboa and Creed but nothing to write home about, and nothing to keep you interested for the duration of the film. Toward the end I wasn't particularly rooting for or against Creed. I just wanted the proceedings to draw to a close.