And the action plods on…

Does the name Apollo Creed ring a bell? Think a while. In a boxing movie. Got it? Rocky’s opponent in all the ‘Rocky’ films, five of them plus ‘Rocky Balboa’. Now in ‘Creed’ we have Apollo’s son Adonis Creed (Michael B Jordan), born after his father’s death, who takes centre-stage. But Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) has to be there as actor as well as co-scriptwriter.

That’s where the similarities end. Adonis Creed is unaware of his dad’s fame and it is Rocky who sees his potential and trains him. The only difference is Adonis is light-heavyweight whereas his father was heavyweight. They go to Philadelphia the scene of those famous Rocky bouts.

Director Ryan Coogler is never able to really capture the attention of the viewer. The establishing shots are weak and the lacklustre script doesn’t help either. The action plods on, all of 133 minutes. There must be rationing of raw stock in such cases. Whatever “moments” it really has are lost in a bulk of tedium.

Michael B Jordan is enthusiastic at being given top billing but Sly Stallone looks tired of going through the near-same motions, even though as a coach this time. Teesa Thompson shows promise in the romantic sequences but not the movie.

Believe it ‘Creed’ is a clear no-no. - EEM