Been done before and better

Rating: 4/10 (5 December 2018)

Rocky without the heart. Replay of a replay of a replay. Nothing new here.
I had unreasonably hoped to see a film that didn't glorify boxing and beating the crap out of another human being. I know, totally illogical expectation, but somehow I had hoped that Stallone in his later years might try to send out a different message.
Didn't need another "Rocky", right out of the play book. Didn't need another film trying to make heroes out of people getting in a ring and beating each other's brains out. I'm sure the boxing fans got their adrenaline rush out of this, but beyond that this flick was more of a "been there, done that" yawner.
I give it 4 stars for the acting of Stallone and basic writing. But beyond that this is really no different from any boxing film ever made. More than anything this felt like a "let's rake in some cash at the box office" setup... without the heart and soul that carried the first film. Amazing as it may seem, this was a bore-fest that hides what makes people true heroes (and no, the fight with ones health issues theme didn't pull it off. Instead it stuck out like a token actor).
In short, It is another "Rocky" movie too many. It was trite, cliche and is yet another "let's glorify boxing" flick that once again sends home the message that extreme physical violence is totally okay so long as it carries the "sports" label. One would have hoped that foolishness ended with the Roman gladiatorial arenas... but seems like the human species blood lust entertainment just never matures.