Spectatorship

'One of the great pleasures of popular cinema is surrendering to the film experience and allowing ourselves to be emotionally manipulated'  

 

• Immersion - a film that draws you in and makes you believe (Whiplash)
• Suspension of Disbelief - a film in which the spectator must allow themselves to believe (Creed)

Watching Whiplash for the first time, I found myself being completely immersed by the characters and the story, partly because it was believable and I think that it was also because of how well the film flowed from a narrative perspective. The film had a linear narrative and focused solely on a lone character which made the film very easy to follow and very easy to concentrate on.

On the other hand, whilst watching Creed I felt that I had to suspend my own disbelief, which I think is partly because of my expectations, I had heard great things about Whiplash and therefore psychologically my mind was easily persuaded, and I think that I wanted to be persuaded by it as it was such a hugely respected and loved film that I wanted to be a part of it. 

Creed however, I had little to no expectations for a 'new Rocky Balboa film' as I perceived the film as a cash cow and a silly reboot and I think it's time that the Rocky films "throw the damn towel"

My predetermined opinion of the film effected my immersion level, and for what it's worth I think that the film was an odd balance between ridiculous and predictable.