Howard Phillips

(Rocky Vll): Rather fabricated, predictable, and clichéd plot (underdog fighter with chequered past, aged and ailing manager/trainer, "bad guy" arch rival, jaded dialogue, etc); with added life problems to shore up the boxing plot. Acting is okay. The movie is nothing I care about watching again or recommending others spending money on. Borrow from a friend, or spend 25 cents at the thriftstore. Unfortunately, not having seen the sequel (Creed ll/Rocky Vlll) to this movie makes me want to take a pass at seeing the sequel. Essentially this movie is an unvieled attempt to take advantage of an old story made newer and hip-hop while being "superimposed" over a walk down "Rocky" memory lane. If you are a "Rocky" movie series fan who wants the "story" continue regardless of what plotline is used towards its perpetuation then this is a movie you will probably enjoy. I essentially stopped enjoying (and viewing) any "Rocky" movies after #2 due to the realization that writers were just stretching out and milking a storyline, although it should have been ended in 2 movies, with ridiculous plots; and now with a repetitive plot. Given that "Creed" and "Creed ll" were made a couple years apart; I may just watch the sequel a couple years from now hoping I will have forgotten about this one.

Not overly original, but not horrible either. Regardless, only a "one time watch movie", easily forgotten. Acting is at least average and above. Dialogue typical to the genre. Some gore. Special effects in general do not apply. Cinematography was good. No explanation given as to the deformed sibling other than as small remark by "Patrick", and a family photo. Suicide was not explained and did not fit in without any background info to support that plot line. Overall: acting fine, plot okay (but still clichéd), worth one viewing.