CREED III 4K UHD REVIEW & THE LAIR BLU-RAY REVIEW with spoilers

4K UHD Blu-ray review of the recent release Creed 3 which has an image aspect ratio of approximately 2.40:1 throughout so no 1.90:1 as seen in faux IMAX cinemas. Sound is Dolby Atmos. Following this is a review of the new Blu-ray release for Neil Marshall's (Dog Soldiers, The Descent) The Lair.
Also included is an update on the 4K of The Changeling following subscriber advice that in the USA an order for the 4K of this title will result in the Severin Films version coming through your door and I'm told this is not as good. Finally, a quick look at HMV Leicester prior to a full video of this great store coming soon.
I didn't make myself clear when talking about the video projector trailer of CREED III at the BFI IMAX and the 35mm blow-up sequences in INTERSTELLAR. What I meant to imply was that I think those 35mm blow-up sequences might be better than any video projection I've seen in that great cinema. They are certainly not better than genuine IMAX even though they are very impressive for something that originated on a film gauge about ten times smaller than 15/70 IMAX.
There is a warning to say a spoiler alert is coming and to mute the sound if you don't want to hear it. A new caption goes up when I've finished this short sequence whereupon the sound can be turned back on.
I also should have explained the Zulu connection better because not all of the British soldiers did survive the assault on Rorke's Drift but what I was implying was that the small force of soldiers as a whole survived the onslaught. I think there were 17 British fatalities if I remember correctly. Some years later the regiment involved became a Welsh regiment but at the time of the events at Rorke's Drift it was English but I think the mix of British nationalities within that regiment over the years has influenced film makers to make a feature of it in film references and portrayals.

[andypickeringmusic]

I grew up in Leicester buying Vhs in the 90s from that HMV! Great to see its still big with the phisical media.

[pieterbalk-htkq]

As always excellent (technical) review @Movie Collector .

No “Rocky” movie for me without Stallone though.

As you asked what’s lacking in this movie? SYLVESTER STALLONE! 😄😉😉 and yes, as with many modern movies: HEART, an actual good script and genuine love for movies.


BTW thanks to your review I bought War of the Worlds in 4K a “while” ago and finally had a chance to watch it yesterday. I forgot what a enjoyable movie this was and was blown away how great it looked in 4K. Thanks for the “reminder” to this underrated movie, John!😊👍🏻

[sean]

Great video as always, John. You should give the new 4K Blu-ray of After Hours from Criterion a look. It’s definitely one of my favorites and I thought the transfer looked great. The standard blu-ray that it comes with is region A locked and thats the disc with the special features but I’m sure you have a region free player.

[marcustaylorcouk]

I saw this on a whim at the Bfi IMAX, and while the fuller scope fight sequences were great fun and audience seemed invested, I unfortunately felt like all those scenes were let down by the use of green screen which it seemed like they used for all the ring backgrounds - I'm not sure they gave it enough budget to allow for it to be blown up to such a big screen, hair and such didn't quite integrate well enough to me - I also wondered if they added green spotlights to the first fight on purpose to avoid fixing the green reflections in the shiny gloves too.

[billg]

Nice review as always, John. I still haven't seen Creed III, but it's on Prime so I'll give it a look soon.

Interesting that you said that the movie lacked heart. But it makes sense since it also lacked Stallone. And Sly has always been the heart of the Rocky and Creed films.
I think that's part of the reason I haven't sat down to watch III yet.

[shaunwerndley]

Great reviews John. I cannot recommend the 4K of dog soldiers enough. It is outstanding 😎

[loekegaard]

Another thoughtful, honest 4K UHD disc review by the Master Collector.
Erik.

[ManCave]

Another good episode John. I kind of dialled out of Creed 3 when they purposefully left the heritage of the Rocky movies behind. I thought that was a disrespectful mistake.

[RoyMurphy]

Nice work John 👌 Have to check these out ...Thanks 👍

[davemillage]

Hi John! Can't wait to see the Lair now! May just do a blind buy based on this recommendation. The Creed films I have not seen yet so need to catch up there. The screen shots you showed looked great so will consider getting these and going through them. Forgot that Neil Marshall directed the Descent and also Hellboy which I enjoyed as well as Centurion. I liked that one as well. Glad to hear the sound quality of the fight scenes in Creed are worthwhile. I'll be watching alone however as my missus avoids any boxing related content hahaha my best to you guys and have a great weekend! Cheers Dave !

[stephenfielding]

Hello John, I’ve watched quite a few of your reviews and Youtube videos, but I always forget to ask - is that a Eumig 802D in your closing sequence? Does it work well? Thanks P.S. I used to live and work in Ashby de la Zouch, so the Leicester HMV was the largest ‘local’ shop full of Laserdiscs 😊… There was a great ABC and Odeon in the town centre, of course, long gone now… The ABC had the Sensurround system, with Battlestar Galactica being the last one showing in that format… cheers

[timothyj.wright]

Never have been that interested in Creed, but I really only saw the first Rocky. Interestingly enough, Sly Stallone appeared in and co-wrote the first 2, but not the 3rd one which could have something to do with it lacking in some ways. I’ve never heard of Lair, but I’m interested! Thanks for the vid, John, great as always!

[jamessiddle]

Picked up The Lair from HMV earlier today, thought I'd check out your review.

[TheCrowsEye-]

Debating buying Creed on 4K. Is there much difference over the blu ray John? Or would a blu ray suffice? Thank you for the excellent videos you help me get through the week.

[mirvmn]

Another great review John :)
I haven't seen Creed 3 yet but I really enjoyed the first film. Michael B. Jordan is a great actor and I like his character but Stallone steals the show in Creed and is the main reason why I watched it in the first place. I really wanted to like Creed 2, especially since it saw the return of Dolph Lundgren's Ivan Drago. But I just didn't think it was good sequel and it annoyed me that they cut the Rocky vs Drago fight scene (something that upset Stallone).
Unfortunately Stallone is not in Creed 3 and it makes me less interested in watching this film. Apparently it's cuz Stallone has a conflict with Winkler about the rights to Rocky and Stallone didn't like the tone of Creed 3. The Lair seems interesting, I will definitely check it out :)

[darkvader]

Wow, so you went to my nearest HMV store, if I'd known, I'd have met up with you. I have the severin release of The Changeling given to me by a friend, not seen it yet but quickly saw the quality and it was very good. Have you reviewed 4k independence day? Thinking of getting it from HMV 2 for £20 offer.

[scottgodown]

I enjoyed Creed III with the exception of Rocky (Stallone) not being a part it. To me Rock faced a lot of adversity, difficulties. Same holds true for Adonis Creed. This time his past comes back to haunt him and finds himself figuring out how to deal with everything it brought with it. Jonathan Majors made for a great “bad guy” and we will see more of him in upcoming Marvel Avengers movies as Kang which he has done a marvelous job so far. I will definitely check out The Lair as I do like those kind of movies.

[tomk.williams]

i agree with you 100% on the creed film, , it was so strange when creeds friend won he acted like he went to hard on the other champ it's supposed to be world championship boxing, , bizarre, , and nothing of rocky, the studio back stabbed Sylvester Stallone and gave the franchise to Michael B Jordan, the other credds felt like rocky movies, , this just never .. i actually thought it was a poor film, , thanks for the vid jon

[jbird_inc]

I watched this film in a regular cinema screen and enjoyed it, not as much as the first two but it was still a good film. I don't know why they didn't keep the faux IMAX ratio for this 4k release after they made such a big deal out of it. I have not heard of The Lair until now but it does sound like my cup of tea!

[garyharper]

Just finished Poltergeist. A great movie with a gorgeous transfer. Very lite consistent grain structure, not to be missed, in my top ten. Hurry to HMV and pick it up!