Prime Video dropped the original 5 Rocky movies this month-I hesitate to include Rocky V, which was an abomination, but I digress-& I just watched them all for like the millionth time, excluding Rocky V. One viewing of that trainwreck was enough.
So who is the better villain: Lang or Drago? I lean towards the former. His bit on Adrian when Rocky is about to retire: "Bring your pretty, little self over to my apartment tonight, and I'll show you a real man." that enrages Rock. His 'I pity the fool' remark. & of course the classic: 'What's your prediction for the fight? 'Prediction?' 'Yes, your prediction?' (Lang looks at camera)...'Pain.'
Of course Drago has his moments as well. I think he has like 8 lines, but they were all fire: 'If he dies, he dies.' 'I must break you.' 'You will lose.'
I love the first 4 Rocky movies, though Rocky IV is probably my favorite, even considering how absurd it is.
Lang. Ivan's wife was more of an antagonist.
My Name is Drago - ( New Window )
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Drago was symbolic of the whole 80’s US/USSR cold war. Lang was just a prick.
Lang. Ivan's wife was more of an antagonist.
And Drago’s manager. Drago himself was just their tool
Lang was legit intimidating in that role. Especially to me and my friends when we saw it at 8 years old
That's why Creed had to die, IMO. In terms of raising the stakes with a villain in a movie series, following Clubber you have to kill a guy. That's how drastic they had to get to move forward from that character. Even with the cold war angle, the only thing "scarier" than what Lang did to Rocky is to kill a man in the ring.
Clubber or Drago? Man, Clubber created Drago.
In comment 16548926 barens said:
Drago may well have been a T-800 Terminator. He killed Apollo, his wife was a bitch, and he took Rocky the distance.
He only had three lines of dialogue ( in English ) in the entire movie, but they've become classic one liners that are repeated to this day.
"you and me were like THIS Tommy!"
Clubber is the guy that reminds us you need to know what you really are in the world. Drago is the guy that allows us to change who we are fighting for. Tommy is guy that reminds us that you you ultimately have to accept people for what they truly are - and the sooner you see them, the better.
In comment 16548926 barens said:
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of course.
In the flesh, baby!!
Although since Clubber was ranked #1, if Rocky retired wouldn't that have made him champ by default?
"you and me were like THIS Tommy!"
Clubber is the guy that reminds us you need to know what you really are in the world. Drago is the guy that allows us to change who we are fighting for. Tommy is guy that reminds us that you you ultimately have to accept people for what they truly are - and the sooner you see them, the better.
V had potential to be better than it was. It's biggest sin was ending in a street fight instead of a boxing ring which was the whole point of the franchise. If they went that way, it could've salvaged the movie which Stallone admitted he did only for money and not artistic statement and was a mistake in hindsight. But I've argued for years that 5 had the potential to be a good movie with some changes and editing
That was a good movie, but if I see it on TV I stop watching before that part because it is just sooooooo bad. One of the worst endings in movie history on a very good movie up until that point.
I wonder if the Soviets have any movies where Americans start rooting for a lovable Soviet in a battle between their two nations? Maybe they re-shoot "Miracle" with the Soviets winning and the whole crowd in Lake Placid euphorically storming the ice to celebrate?
In comment 16549027 jnoble said:
Although since Clubber was ranked #1, if Rocky retired wouldn't that have made him champ by default?
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The idea of the mid '80s Politburo STANDING UP & APPLAUDING Rocky is still one the most absurd things I've ever watched in a movie, Haha.
That was a good movie, but if I see it on TV I stop watching before that part because it is just sooooooo bad. One of the worst endings in movie history on a very good movie up until that point.
I wonder if the Soviets have any movies where Americans start rooting for a lovable Soviet in a battle between their two nations? Maybe they re-shoot "Miracle" with the Soviets winning and the whole crowd in Lake Placid euphorically storming the ice to celebrate?
you never know. Anybody can change.
Although since Clubber was ranked #1, if Rocky retired wouldn't that have made him champ by default?
No, they would've made him fight somebody for it. And even if he won, he wouldn't be seen as completely legitimate because he never beat The Champ to win the title.
The ultimate male vs the ultimate meatball!!!
I just always skip the boxing matches when I rewatch the Rocky's but I always leave that one playing lol always makes me laugh. It's the most memorable fight out of the film series.
Those movies are great and I will always defend them because at the same time they're nitpicked apart by nearly everybody for some reason. Good God, just let those movies be lol
Drago was the more formidable opponent for Rocky, by the way.
Drago was sort of an instrument and his handlers and the Kremlim/Russia were the bad guys.
Mr. T was awesome in that role. So unlikable. Such a great villain.
Drago was barely an antagonist - it was more situational if you get it, Clubber was incredible.