Dolph was a specimen and one of the most intimidating villains all time. Freakishly strong without having to lift heavy weights, a world champion fighter turned actor all while having a genius level IQ and a masters degree from MIT in chemical engineering.
@@diarrheagondola Yea he was, but he never lifted heavy. He's also on record stating he never needed to squat more than 300 lb. Training with Stallone he never benched more than 300 he also said in an interview. For somebody 6-5, 240 lb that's not much at all. His training was always more centered around being in the athletic fighter. Big legs And a lean thinner upper body. The only bulked up for movies that demanded it. Rocky 4, Red Scorpion, masters of the universe, showdown in Little Tokyo, universal soldier, etc. His raw strength came from his size and his athletics mostly.
He is a great actor but an even better human being. Humble, respectful and so polite to a guy he didn't know till I walked up. He introduced me to his fiancé now wife.
@@nemangame i was waiting to hear that "he is like a piece of iron." that line, to me, defines the story's arc: man with great strength encounters man with great heart.
Dolph Lundgren: Actor, Karate Champion, and MIT graduate in Chemical Engineering with genius level IQ. Multiple movies including all of The Expendables series. Lundgren, when told by Stallone not to pull his punches during fight filming, put Stallone in ICU for 9 days with a severely bruised heart. BTW, in spite of the hospital trip, Stallone and Lundren are friends.
But Lundgren did recently tell a reporter about how bad Stallone can behave and that he almost wanted to knock him out on set. He had to walk away and make a phone call just to calm down. I think it was during the filming of The Expendables.
@@DONTHASSLETHEHOFF Er, weird comment. Plain English I guess? Lotta peeps saying he got his degree there, and he didn't. I never said he didn't go, get a scholarship or whatever. And I already explained why. Accuracy (which is actually more respectful to the guy than spinning apocryphal stories), and that it doesn't diminish him at all. 🤷♂
@@halfvader8015 OK, here's the accuracy. He won national Kyokushin Karate championships in his native Sweden in 1980 and 1981, and a then moved to Sydney, Australia, where he won more competitive tournament, and also worked as a bouncer in a notorious Sydney bar to fund his way through his Master's program in Chemical Engineering. Dolph Lundgren's MSc is actually from the University of Sydney in 1982. Then, in 1983, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to attend MIT to pursue his doctorate. Dolph started the whole immigration process as a doctoral student and Fulbright Scholar, but ultimately met model/actress Grace Jones at the nightclub where he worked, worked briefly as her bodyguard, and began a short-lived whirlwind relationship with her which took him to New York instead of Boston. He actually did start his PhD program, but was at MIT a very short time, less than a semester, I think, before dropping out to stay in New York with her. He worked as a bouncer at the Limelight in Manhattan, took acting classes, dabbled a bit in modeling, and was lured by the glamour of Grace's lifestyle to make a life out of acting instead of chemistry. Although they broke up soon after, he remained on good terms with Grace, who worked on the James Bond movie "A View to a Kill," in which he got his first bit part through her recommendation. It was there that Stallone found him and cast him as Drago. Famously, Lundgren was still struggling with English at the time, which is something like his 6th language, and found that acting was not as forgiving to a thick accent and language struggles as being a chemistry professor would have been. While he was working hard to improve his English, the only movie roles he got were these parts where they needed a guy who was 6'5" of solid muscle and also a highly skilled martial artist. There was not a lot of those movies. In fact, even though Grace Jones later appeared in Conan the Destroyer, the 6'5" Lundgren could not appear with Schwarzenegger, who was massively well-muscled but only 5'10", as he would have made the film's enormous leading barbarian look tiny. As terrible as it was, I think "Masters of the Universe" was his big break as an actor, almost by accident. Although there's no record of what the film WOULD have been if Mattel had actually bankrolled it to the planned tune of something like $100 million, I do know that the film was PLANNED to be an offworld epic, set on Eternia just like the cartoon, with a lot of the classic cartoon characters. The original plan, I'm SURE, was to do the same thing they did for "The Incredible Hulk," which got Bill Bixby to do most of the acting heavy lifting as Banner, and only used Lou Ferrigno for a couple of action-packed minutes every episode. When they started casting actors, of course Lundgren was who they got for He-Man, because Rocky IV had just made him recognizable even though he only had something like three heavily-accented lines in it. But I think the plan was kind of the same: cast a physically small A-list teenager, like one of the Brat Pack or one of the Goonies actors with another 5-6 years on them, as Prince Adam, to do all of the acting heavy lifting, and then only throw Dolph Lundgren in for the big action pieces as alter-ego He-Man where there were really not too many lines for him to mangle. Then, of course, that whole movie went south when Mattel discontinued all the toys they were trying to sell and yanked all their money out of the production. The film had already signed and paid its principal actors, all of whom were pretty great--Frank Langella, Meg Foster, Billy Barty as a probable Orko, and Dolph Lundgren. They had built just one of the sets--that enormous Throne Room that takes up like half the movie. And suddenly they had zero budget left for anything--wasting all that money on the throne room and $150,000 on one Cosmic Key prop alone, they suddenly couldn't afford to hire ANYONE else. They could afford to rent the professional cameras rigs and lighting equipment, OR to rent the trucks to deliver the equipment to their Hollywood sets, but not both. So basically, they were stuck shooting the movie within a reasonable pushing distance of the place they rented it from. Screenwriter David Odell, who had penned an offworld sword & sorcery space epic that could have been amazing, was instead given 3 weeks to completely rewrite a He-Man script that could take place only within the throne room of Grayskull, or on location in tiny Whittier, California, where the film equipment was located--with the further restriction that action scenes taking place at night because that's the only time they could afford to shut down a street. It's amazing they got a movie made of that at all. Meanwhile Dolph Lundgren, who had signed the contract to be He-Man, expecting maybe a few big action sequences and maybe 10 lines instead of 4, was suddenly the leading actor in a movie that couldn't afford to hire another actor as Prince Adam, and so was stuck as He-Man the whole time with the "secret identity" thing completely scrapped. In some ways, the movie was a disaster, but in others, it gave Dolph Lundgren much more screen time and dramatic work than anyone ever intended to give him. And I'm convinced that all the bad news for that film was really good news for him.
Duke became the favorite boxing trainer. He could inspire and mortvate so well. "All your strength, All your power, All your love...Everything you've got!!!!"
BTW, a big part of the reason for doing the recaps at the beginning of each movie is that things like movie rentals weren't really widespread yet. The first Blockbuster store opened just over a month before this film hit theaters.
Coby, I was fortunate enough to see this film on opening night in the theater. Your look/expression seeing Apollo convulse the first time (the late/great Carl Weathers improvised the convulsions, BTW) was split second -- like a switch being turned on -- and was, in a word, spectacular. Amazing, straight-from-the-heart reaction from someone who has quickly become one of my favorite follows. Thank you so very much... and, please, if you get the opportunity, react to Sly's director's cut of this film -- the relationship between Apollo and Rocky, and Apollo's bout with Drago, especially, are so much revealed. Please keep up the great work, Coby...
I AM ROCKY'S NUMBER ONE FAN. I watch every reaction on youtube to his movies. Never missed a reaction. Your reactions are something very amazing to watch, loved this one, keep it going!!
I saw this opening weekend as a kid with my family- one of the coolest things I’ve experienced when the entire movie theatre got on our feet cheering Rocky on! The 80’s were a pretty cool time-
Dolph was studying to be a Chemical Engineer... He has more scientific degrees than Bill Nye the Science Guy. He had a scholarship to MIT which brought him to the US, because of his background in martial arts and size, he became a bouncer at Nightclubs... where he met and began dating Grace Jones. His relationship with her opened doors to modeling and showbiz.. he didn't go to MiT and soon after got this part in Rocky 4. He also started in Master of the Universe playing He-man. A ton of 80's and 90's action movies
@@Kenny-ep2nf Dolph already had a ton of degrees before moving to the US and had a ton of Karate/martial arts experience. When he moved here it was to go to school at MIT on scholarship, and before starting he took a job as a bouncer where he met the singer Grace Jones, who liked him made him a part of her security, they started dating, He decided not to go to MIT... he met people that got him into modeling acting, fitness, then he got Rocky.
Lundgren is a action/adventure movies actor. Other roles, pretty much iconic for him are in Master of the Universe, Red Scorpion or as a second character in Universal Soldier. He also has a sport background, kyokushin karate european champion (a form of full-contact competitions). Also a educated guy, with degree and master in chemical engineering.
Rocky's training montage for this makes cross fit look like a yoga warmup stretch. Dang! Edit: before anyone comes at me, I was being hyperbolic. Just saying it was tough!
"Apollo seems to be in very serious condition." No shit Sherlock! You and the reporters and photographers just standing there isn't helping either. Give that reporter a Pulitzer.
I believe the recaps were a way to remind the viewers what happened in the previous film. During the time of these movies releases. Cable TV was not in a lot of homes yet and the movie rentals were just starting to pick up. So many viewers would forget what exactly happened in each previous sequel.
Dolph Lundgren is an actor. This was his first film. Although he did play a Russian guard as an extra in the 007 movie A View To A Kill before Rocky IV. But he's been in plenty more films since Rocky IV. Films such as Masters of The Universe, The Punisher, Dark Angel, Universal Soldier, Red Scorpion, The Expendables, Aquaman, etc. -OG
Yes, Dolph Lundgren is an actor. A very accomplished one. A more important question was if he was established when he got the role in Rocky IV. He had a small role in the James Bond movie "A View to a Kill". Then followed with this movie which allowed him to start playing in starring roles. In boxing it's only considered a crime if a person hid something hard or heavy in your gloves. All boxers' hands are considered lethal weapons, and they understand the dangers. They also know not to get into a fight with the public because they could be held responsible. Although there have been occasions where this has happened.
Gitte nielsen was a model here in Denmark but she actually got to know stallone because she sent a picture to him; yes a physical letter posted and stamped if anybody remembers that; and after that she met him and the rest is history afair. It was in all the tabloids here when he "picked" her out from her picture and she later married him.
Then, a few years later when they'd broken up, there was a classic line in the film Tango and Cash where Kurt Russell's Cash complains about how long Stallone's Tango took to catch up to him, sarcastically asking, "Did you stop for coffee and a Danish (pastry)?", to which Stallone deadpans, "I hate Danish."
Mr. Lundgren is a genius with an IQ of 160. He's got a Chemical Engineering degree from the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and a full scholarship to MIT. 😮
23:43 Part of Rocky's training is sawing logs so he can add a game room onto the cabin he's staying in, so that Duke and Pauley will have something to do while he's training. 😁
1985 was perhaps Stallone's career high. Two films he was involved in that year made $300 million at the worldwide box office, and were the most successful films in their respective franchises. Rocky IV and Rambo: First Blood part II.
It's a complete & utter shame the Golden Raspberry Awards gave several Razzie wins & nominations to both *"ROCKY IV"* & *"RAMBO: First Blood, Part II"* with Stallone winning the Razzie for Worst Actor (to both films)!
I met Dolph Lundren a few years ago. Could not be nicer and more down to earth. A number of (earned) doctorate degrees, 15 languages, to varying degrees... and yeah, he is an actor first and foremost. He told me something quite funny: talking with Sly, they made the decision to make Drago almost mute to contrast with Apollo and Clubber. The end result? Hollywood assumed he just couldn't talk. Then, as he put it, he got the part of He-Man, where he talked a lot. But mostly saying rubbish. Vastly underrated and great when given a shot.
I watched the movie when it was released in 1985. I'm very surprised that people are surprised by Apollo Creed's death. Back in 1985/1986 everbody knows about it. Even in Burning Heart videoclip has a scene with Apollo in Rocky's arms.
Back in the day before this movie came out in theaters, it came holiday season '85. We all kinda already knew Apollo was gonna die. Before "spoilers" was a word? I think the trailer maybe gave it away. So it really wasn't a shock when they killed him off. I was like 8 years old. Stallone was my hero. And still is. That man is finally getting respect as a writer/director. The respect he should have gotten back then. They used to make fun of him because of the way talked. So he wasn't taken seriously. Jealous because his movies in the 80's made bank. And he had a fan base. The men in my family love Stallone like a rock star.
An exhibition is basically a glorified sparring match. Generally, you're not trying to knock each other out. That's why Apollo took it lightly. Also, Drago had never fought a professional fight up to that point, so Apollo had every reason to take it lightly. Additionally, Apollo wasn't trying to hurt Drago, he was trying to embarrass him. He found out too late that Drago was trying to hurt him.
@BlackStudies Drago was not trying to hurt Creed as such, he was teaching him a lesson all that bragging before the fight was pointless to a Russian who would see it as the obvious decadence of the western world. Besides Russians don't "do" exhibitions Their character is the total opposite of the Americans.
One key thing is as an Olympian, Drago was used to fights never going past three rounds. He is a brutal puncher early on, but if you get him into more rounds his stamina will drop. Thus Rovky's face is not messed up like it was after his fights with Apollo.
Oh my gosh you're so much fun to watch a movie with lol! Thanks for letting me/us tag along, Really enjoy your reactions and excitement, keep 'em coming!
What’s up Coby 👋🏼 About Rocky throwing in the towel: I’m not sure if the ref would’ve been able to get in between Drago and Apollo in time to save him…..especially after seeing how the referee struggled to stop Drago after the bell in the first round. By the time the ref sees the towel and goes over to try to stop the fight, Drago probably still gets all those punches off.
Lundgren is an actor and now producer--from memory, I remember he played in a movie called judge Dredd (futuristic story where he plays a law enforcement officer who is policeman, judge and executor at the same time, so he could clean the city from crime faster--he arrest the bad guy, judges him and execute him in 3 minutes. And yes, James Brown--I remember watching this video on MTV, it played several times a day in the summer of 1985--Brown almost resurrected his career with this big hit. You can still find the original video somewhere on you-tube, if you're interested. And about Apollo's death, they both sign a contract before the match to avoid any legal complication. It happened here 2 years ago between 2 female boxers. the mexican girl wasn't ready for the fight and she died from a concussion after the match. Rules have changed here since this happened.
Mr. T (real name Laurence Tureaud) is a really good guy in real life, gives a lot of his time to charity etc. and I've heard nothing but good things about him.
Coby, it's important to understand the back story. Back then Russia was still the USSR (Soviet Union), which was America primary nemesis in the world. However when it came to sports, Communist countries only engaged in amateur tournaments like the Olympics, which by rule was aka amateurs, including Americans. So we never got to use out best (pros) in the Olympics etc., but their amateurs were amateurs in name only. They fought, played and trained like pros. That's why they called it "The Miracle on Ice" when a bunch of college kids from America defeated the most dominant Hockey team in the world in 1980. The Soviet Hockey team was so dominant they beat the NHL All-Stars and the defending champs in exhibition tournaments, and made it look easy. So that's the backdrop of this movie. It was made when the "COLD WAR" and all of the above still applied.
Just discovered your channel and what a delight...you're reacting to one of my favorite movies of all time. It must be a wonderful feeling going through the decades of cinema and experiencing its masterpieces.
I can't believe that I have spent the last few hours of my life re-watching Rocky movies with you, but I have and I have to deal with that:). You are freakishly watchable. I don't know what you do outside of these reaction videos, but you are incredible on camera! Act, comment, podcast, whatever...just continue to find reasons to be on camera because you're a joy to watch. I spent a few years in casting and what you have going on is rare. Keep it up, Coby. For reals, yo! (Thank God you didn't get into any more Rocky movies so far...I have shit to do:))
During the fight with Drago Rocky started with the mind games and went street fighting using experience knowing Drago didn't know that type of fighting because he's a prize fighter...took Drago through several feelings...1) Uncertainty 2) Disbelief 3) Frustration and finally just all out not caring about boxer only to end Rocky being bigger, stronger and younger and couldn't put the older one away.
I really recommend watching Stallone's directors cut version. Rocky v Drago that came out a few years ago. It's a different take on the original with 40 mins removed and replaced with 40 mis of new footage. It gives the movie a totally different feel. More mature and in line with the newer films with sound and editing. A better movie overall.
I don't know when you actually watch this compared to when it's uploaded but you didn't mention it but *Carl Weathers* who plays *Apollo Creed* died last month (Feb1)
Sylvester Stallone said years later in an interview that he made a mistake killing off Apollo’s character and should have just made him injured instead.
An exhibition isn't sanctioned by the boxing authority so it doesn't go down as a professional fight on your record & you don't have to meet health evaluations & drug test (which weren't that strong in the boxing authority back then anyways)
Great reaction to this classic Coby. I hope you continue with the rest of Rockyfilms & then the Creed movies....Also since you like Stallone in these Rocky films, why not check out the other iconic character that Stallone is also best known for...John Rambo, in the Rambo films... First Blood (1982) Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) Rambo III (1988) Rambo (aka Rambo IV)(2008) Rambo: Last Blood (2019)....please watch the extened cut of this last film. The US theatrical was sadly heavily edited by the studio, against the director & Stallone's wishes. They kept all the action but removed all the emotional & character moments. The extened cut is the film that the director & Stallone intended for all audiences to see before the studio re-edited the film without their involvement. Keep these reactions coming. I'm enjoying them all 😁
It's my head canon that the reason why Drago was such a silent machine was because the guy knew very little english and didn't know what to say most of the time. So he choose to stay silent and let the others speak for him. Maybe its just me, but when he is speaking in Russian, he seems pretty normal and has actual emotions behind his words.
😊 This film franchise is proof that Repetition is NOT the problem; nor Formula… Not if you have heart & charm. 🙌 We want a Hero/Heroine We Can LOVE ❤️ #FatigueIsFake #HeartIsEverything
Dolph Lundgren. Was in Rocky IV and that was one of the first films that he was in. But since then he’s been in over 100 films. 2023 he was in one of the more recent Aquaman films and he played king.Nereus There is rumored to be upcoming film with Dolph Lundgren renewing his role as Drago. And the name of the film would be Drago, but that’s just rumored right now.
A lot of respect to Stallone for the punishment he put his body through. Those punches at 31:00 are real. You can tell because his head doesn’t snap back. (And because he mentions it in the behind the scenes documentary on UA-cam).
Before there was Topgun Maverick, before there was No time to die, long before....this was the film I saw 20twnty times, bought the soundtrack, and used it to inspire a little gym work for myself. good times good times, when the world was a lot safer.
Essentially the artificial vs the natural even if it's a story never forget humans are remarkable for the ability to change from frail to unstoppable with the right motivation.
My favorite of the franchise. Probably because of my age, I was 8 when it came out and it was always on HBO growing up. I saw it in the movie theater too. I know just about every single word and song, lol. Rocky single-handedly wins the Cold War!!!! Let's GO!!!!!!
Dolph Lundgren is an actor. He also has a masters degree in Chemical Engineering, is a 4th dan black belt in Kyokushin Karate and was a European Champion in said Karate!
The place which Rocky arrives at as 'Russia' was filmed in Wyoming, USA, while the fight was filmed in Vancouver, Canada with loads of extras dressed in military uniforms.
I read that the robot was in the movie because Stallone's oldest son Seargeoh (the baby in Rocky 2) is autistic, and Stallone had seen an interview with the robot's inventor where he mentioned that he felt that in certain educational situations a child may respond/learn more from a robot than a human teacher. So, in between takes Stallone, the robot and the inventor would work with Seargeoh. I also read that in an earlier draft of the script that when Adrian came to Russia to support Rocky that she would reveal that she was pregnant.
at the end of the day, imo, Rocky IV is the best of all the movies. Rocky is biggest out of all the movies. The robot, called Strohobot, weird enough, I actually met and had my picture taken with him as a child. the fall of Apollo, well, was the main catalyst of the movie. the changing of the russian views during the fight, whether or not that would have actually happened at the height of the Cold War, no idea. but certainly made for an absolutely spectacular movie. Dolph has been in many many movies, Universal Soldier, the Expendables, many others.....and also, has a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering
7:06 Watch Weird Al's parody of this, Living with a Hernia. Brown loaned Weird Al the sets, got him in ckntact with the same band and dancers, coached Al on all his moves, and was present during filming to help if needed.
Dolph was a specimen and one of the most intimidating villains all time. Freakishly strong without having to lift heavy weights, a world champion fighter turned actor all while having a genius level IQ and a masters degree from MIT in chemical engineering.
Dolph was a lifter and an admitted steroid user in that time period. He talked about it after one of his later cancer diagnoses.
@@diarrheagondola Yea he was, but he never lifted heavy. He's also on record stating he never needed to squat more than 300 lb. Training with Stallone he never benched more than 300 he also said in an interview. For somebody 6-5, 240 lb that's not much at all. His training was always more centered around being in the athletic fighter. Big legs And a lean thinner upper body. The only bulked up for movies that demanded it. Rocky 4, Red Scorpion, masters of the universe, showdown in Little Tokyo, universal soldier, etc. His raw strength came from his size and his athletics mostly.
I believe he attended MIT but his Master's degree in ChemE is from Univ of Syndney in Australia.
@@BigTone_1701 You are right i think
He is a great actor but an even better human being. Humble, respectful and so polite to a guy he didn't know till I walked up. He introduced me to his fiancé now wife.
You left out the best line in the whole movie! Where Duke says "You see!? He's not a machine!! He's not a machine, he's a man!"
One of my favorite lines in any movie ever.
Also the "He's like a piece of iron"
@@nemangame i was waiting to hear that "he is like a piece of iron." that line, to me, defines the story's arc: man with great strength encounters man with great heart.
That's really the best line for you in this Movie?😂
@@maggie_rhee_wählt_blau As opposed to...?
RIP Apollo and RIP Carl Weathers
Dolph Lundgren: Actor, Karate Champion, and MIT graduate in Chemical Engineering with genius level IQ. Multiple movies including all of The Expendables series. Lundgren, when told by Stallone not to pull his punches during fight filming, put Stallone in ICU for 9 days with a severely bruised heart. BTW, in spite of the hospital trip, Stallone and Lundren are friends.
But Lundgren did recently tell a reporter about how bad Stallone can behave and that he almost wanted to knock him out on set. He had to walk away and make a phone call just to calm down. I think it was during the filming of The Expendables.
C'mon mate. As you can see even just from the other comments here the MIT thing is wrong. Which doesn't diminish him at all, it's just accurate.
@@halfvader8015 He did go there though. So what's your deal?
@@DONTHASSLETHEHOFF Er, weird comment. Plain English I guess? Lotta peeps saying he got his degree there, and he didn't. I never said he didn't go, get a scholarship or whatever. And I already explained why. Accuracy (which is actually more respectful to the guy than spinning apocryphal stories), and that it doesn't diminish him at all. 🤷♂
@@halfvader8015 OK, here's the accuracy. He won national Kyokushin Karate championships in his native Sweden in 1980 and 1981, and a then moved to Sydney, Australia, where he won more competitive tournament, and also worked as a bouncer in a notorious Sydney bar to fund his way through his Master's program in Chemical Engineering. Dolph Lundgren's MSc is actually from the University of Sydney in 1982. Then, in 1983, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to attend MIT to pursue his doctorate.
Dolph started the whole immigration process as a doctoral student and Fulbright Scholar, but ultimately met model/actress Grace Jones at the nightclub where he worked, worked briefly as her bodyguard, and began a short-lived whirlwind relationship with her which took him to New York instead of Boston. He actually did start his PhD program, but was at MIT a very short time, less than a semester, I think, before dropping out to stay in New York with her. He worked as a bouncer at the Limelight in Manhattan, took acting classes, dabbled a bit in modeling, and was lured by the glamour of Grace's lifestyle to make a life out of acting instead of chemistry.
Although they broke up soon after, he remained on good terms with Grace, who worked on the James Bond movie "A View to a Kill," in which he got his first bit part through her recommendation. It was there that Stallone found him and cast him as Drago.
Famously, Lundgren was still struggling with English at the time, which is something like his 6th language, and found that acting was not as forgiving to a thick accent and language struggles as being a chemistry professor would have been. While he was working hard to improve his English, the only movie roles he got were these parts where they needed a guy who was 6'5" of solid muscle and also a highly skilled martial artist. There was not a lot of those movies. In fact, even though Grace Jones later appeared in Conan the Destroyer, the 6'5" Lundgren could not appear with Schwarzenegger, who was massively well-muscled but only 5'10", as he would have made the film's enormous leading barbarian look tiny.
As terrible as it was, I think "Masters of the Universe" was his big break as an actor, almost by accident. Although there's no record of what the film WOULD have been if Mattel had actually bankrolled it to the planned tune of something like $100 million, I do know that the film was PLANNED to be an offworld epic, set on Eternia just like the cartoon, with a lot of the classic cartoon characters. The original plan, I'm SURE, was to do the same thing they did for "The Incredible Hulk," which got Bill Bixby to do most of the acting heavy lifting as Banner, and only used Lou Ferrigno for a couple of action-packed minutes every episode.
When they started casting actors, of course Lundgren was who they got for He-Man, because Rocky IV had just made him recognizable even though he only had something like three heavily-accented lines in it. But I think the plan was kind of the same: cast a physically small A-list teenager, like one of the Brat Pack or one of the Goonies actors with another 5-6 years on them, as Prince Adam, to do all of the acting heavy lifting, and then only throw Dolph Lundgren in for the big action pieces as alter-ego He-Man where there were really not too many lines for him to mangle.
Then, of course, that whole movie went south when Mattel discontinued all the toys they were trying to sell and yanked all their money out of the production. The film had already signed and paid its principal actors, all of whom were pretty great--Frank Langella, Meg Foster, Billy Barty as a probable Orko, and Dolph Lundgren. They had built just one of the sets--that enormous Throne Room that takes up like half the movie. And suddenly they had zero budget left for anything--wasting all that money on the throne room and $150,000 on one Cosmic Key prop alone, they suddenly couldn't afford to hire ANYONE else. They could afford to rent the professional cameras rigs and lighting equipment, OR to rent the trucks to deliver the equipment to their Hollywood sets, but not both. So basically, they were stuck shooting the movie within a reasonable pushing distance of the place they rented it from. Screenwriter David Odell, who had penned an offworld sword & sorcery space epic that could have been amazing, was instead given 3 weeks to completely rewrite a He-Man script that could take place only within the throne room of Grayskull, or on location in tiny Whittier, California, where the film equipment was located--with the further restriction that action scenes taking place at night because that's the only time they could afford to shut down a street.
It's amazing they got a movie made of that at all. Meanwhile Dolph Lundgren, who had signed the contract to be He-Man, expecting maybe a few big action sequences and maybe 10 lines instead of 4, was suddenly the leading actor in a movie that couldn't afford to hire another actor as Prince Adam, and so was stuck as He-Man the whole time with the "secret identity" thing completely scrapped. In some ways, the movie was a disaster, but in others, it gave Dolph Lundgren much more screen time and dramatic work than anyone ever intended to give him. And I'm convinced that all the bad news for that film was really good news for him.
"how many times can we watch such a similar story?" Turns out, a lot!!!
At least six!
Funny isn't it, but yet the movies are so full of emotion and testosterone that both women and men can enjoy the show.
It's because the story is about the character not the 'plot'.
Duke became the favorite boxing trainer. He could inspire and mortvate so well. "All your strength, All your power, All your love...Everything you've got!!!!"
"How many times can we watch the same story? He's gotta fight the guy, blah blah. " 5 minutes later... "Get him, punch his face!!!" 🤣🤣🤣
I would think "Swamp People" would be an even better example. "Choot 'em! Choot 'em!!!"
BTW, a big part of the reason for doing the recaps at the beginning of each movie is that things like movie rentals weren't really widespread yet. The first Blockbuster store opened just over a month before this film hit theaters.
Coby, I was fortunate enough to see this film on opening night in the theater. Your look/expression seeing Apollo convulse the first time (the late/great Carl Weathers improvised the convulsions, BTW) was split second -- like a switch being turned on -- and was, in a word, spectacular. Amazing, straight-from-the-heart reaction from someone who has quickly become one of my favorite follows. Thank you so very much... and, please, if you get the opportunity, react to Sly's director's cut of this film -- the relationship between Apollo and Rocky, and Apollo's bout with Drago, especially, are so much revealed. Please keep up the great work, Coby...
This movie came out in 1985 while the Cold War was coming to a head and when Rocky finally landed that first blow on Drago the entire theater erupted.
the unbreakable coby
*Coby* is beautiful but I love how she's become so invested in a *(Rocky)* movie that she came into thinking was just some boxing sports movie
But as we know, most sports movies are just a metaphor/not really about sports at the end of the day!
I AM ROCKY'S NUMBER ONE FAN. I watch every reaction on youtube to his movies. Never missed a reaction. Your reactions are something very amazing to watch, loved this one, keep it going!!
Agreed
I saw this opening weekend as a kid with my family- one of the coolest things I’ve experienced when the entire movie theatre got on our feet cheering Rocky on!
The 80’s were a pretty cool time-
Dolph was studying to be a Chemical Engineer... He has more scientific degrees than Bill Nye the Science Guy. He had a scholarship to MIT which brought him to the US, because of his background in martial arts and size, he became a bouncer at Nightclubs... where he met and began dating Grace Jones. His relationship with her opened doors to modeling and showbiz.. he didn't go to MiT and soon after got this part in Rocky 4. He also started in Master of the Universe playing He-man. A ton of 80's and 90's action movies
Oh christ the amount of people rushing to the comments to be the first one to say this is so fucking cringe
@@GeorgeTropicana dude, rushing it comment? three months ago. she asked a question in the video.. I commented. get a life
was Dolph studying while staring in Rocky 4 or before that?
@@Kenny-ep2nf Dolph already had a ton of degrees before moving to the US and had a ton of Karate/martial arts experience. When he moved here it was to go to school at MIT on scholarship, and before starting he took a job as a bouncer where he met the singer Grace Jones, who liked him made him a part of her security, they started dating, He decided not to go to MIT... he met people that got him into modeling acting, fitness, then he got Rocky.
@@jamespetkwitz8737 Wow, that just goes to show he really is a smart cookie. And yeah it’s a interesting story how he made his way to acting.
9:17 "He doesn't _speak!"_
He does not waste words on answers to questions he has determined to be unnecessary.
Also, Russian grammar.
Lundgren is a action/adventure movies actor. Other roles, pretty much iconic for him are in Master of the Universe, Red Scorpion or as a second character in Universal Soldier. He also has a sport background, kyokushin karate european champion (a form of full-contact competitions). Also a educated guy, with degree and master in chemical engineering.
Rocky's training montage for this makes cross fit look like a yoga warmup stretch. Dang!
Edit: before anyone comes at me, I was being hyperbolic. Just saying it was tough!
i've always loved how there isn't a single doctor helping Apollo in the ring lol. It's just Rocky holding him
"Apollo seems to be in very serious condition."
No shit Sherlock! You and the reporters and photographers just standing there isn't helping either. Give that reporter a Pulitzer.
20:44 An AMAZING villain 🥶😈🥊
Ivan Drago made this my favorite Rocky installment, him & the entire 80’s aesthetic of the film.
I believe the recaps were a way to remind the viewers what happened in the previous film. During the time of these movies releases. Cable TV was not in a lot of homes yet and the movie rentals were just starting to pick up. So many viewers would forget what exactly happened in each previous sequel.
Rocky 4 (1985) this one is my favorite because Dolph Lundgren makes a great! villain as Ivan Drago that makes the film work thumbs up from me 👍 🙂
Dolph Lundgren is an actor. This was his first film. Although he did play a Russian guard as an extra in the 007 movie A View To A Kill before Rocky IV. But he's been in plenty more films since Rocky IV.
Films such as Masters of The Universe, The Punisher, Dark Angel, Universal Soldier, Red Scorpion, The Expendables, Aquaman, etc. -OG
Universal Soldier is his best movie.
Rocky and Apollo will never be apart. They played such an important role in each other’s lives. I ❤ your reaction 🫶🥊😃
Yes, Dolph Lundgren is an actor. A very accomplished one.
A more important question was if he was established when he got the role in Rocky IV. He had a small role in the James Bond movie "A View to a Kill". Then followed with this movie which allowed him to start playing in starring roles.
In boxing it's only considered a crime if a person hid something hard or heavy in your gloves. All boxers' hands are considered lethal weapons, and they understand the dangers. They also know not to get into a fight with the public because they could be held responsible. Although there have been occasions where this has happened.
14:02 "🥺Oh my god!"
Yeah. Apollo never had the _chance_ to be embarrassed.
Gitte nielsen was a model here in Denmark but she actually got to know stallone because she sent a picture to him; yes a physical letter posted and stamped if anybody remembers that; and after that she met him and the rest is history afair.
It was in all the tabloids here when he "picked" her out from her picture and she later married him.
Then, a few years later when they'd broken up, there was a classic line in the film Tango and Cash where Kurt Russell's Cash complains about how long Stallone's Tango took to catch up to him, sarcastically asking, "Did you stop for coffee and a Danish (pastry)?", to which Stallone deadpans, "I hate Danish."
Every man needs a Adrian in there life
their*
an* Adrian
(Sorry).
Or a Coby.
So True
Hell yeah i cannot wait to see your reaction to Rocky 5 you in for a treat
🫤
It’s not a boxing movie. It’s a love story
Eh... "Rocky," yes. "Rocky IV," no. It's all about the fight in this one.
For Paulie and the robot.
God it's so fucking cringe when you nerds say this shit
If you keep watching the films we do eventually find out won the Rocky vs Apollo friendly fight.
This is my favorite rocky! I love this movie with all my heart. Ive probably watched it over 500 times in my life.
Holy cow... Did you break the tape?
@@joshr8666 i actually used to have it on VHS, which I probably did ruin at some point, but mostly its been on demand viewing lol
Her reaction with Apollo's death is geniune! You have to see Rocky vs. Drago: Stallone's Cut. And a video react of course!
Remember when Rocky did his exhibition match with Hulk Hogan? Excuse me, I mean Thunderlips! Yeah. The proceeds for that match went to charity. -OG
Dolph Lundegren is a genius. He has major in chemistry science.
Mr. Lundgren is a genius with an IQ of 160. He's got a Chemical Engineering degree from the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and a full scholarship to MIT.
😮
23:43 Part of Rocky's training is sawing logs so he can add a game room onto the cabin he's staying in, so that Duke and Pauley will have something to do while he's training. 😁
🤣🤣🤣
You have to watch the whole end credits of Rocky 5. That's a masterpiece
exhibition is never supposed to be all out combat. Its supposed to be a show
1985 was perhaps Stallone's career high. Two films he was involved in that year made $300 million at the worldwide box office, and were the most successful films in their respective franchises. Rocky IV and Rambo: First Blood part II.
And the irony being, to be in shape for both films, Stallone was on steroids
It's a complete & utter shame the Golden Raspberry Awards gave several Razzie wins & nominations to both *"ROCKY IV"* & *"RAMBO: First Blood, Part II"* with Stallone winning the Razzie for Worst Actor (to both films)!
15:53 Goodbye Forever Carl Weathers 🤚🤚😓😓
I met Dolph Lundren a few years ago. Could not be nicer and more down to earth. A number of (earned) doctorate degrees, 15 languages, to varying degrees... and yeah, he is an actor first and foremost. He told me something quite funny: talking with Sly, they made the decision to make Drago almost mute to contrast with Apollo and Clubber. The end result? Hollywood assumed he just couldn't talk. Then, as he put it, he got the part of He-Man, where he talked a lot. But mostly saying rubbish. Vastly underrated and great when given a shot.
I watched the movie when it was released in 1985. I'm very surprised that people are surprised by Apollo Creed's death. Back in 1985/1986 everbody knows about it. Even in Burning Heart videoclip has a scene with Apollo in Rocky's arms.
It's so funny how it was supposed to be an exhibition bout & turned into a serious match when they were just to take it easy.
Back in the day before this movie came out in theaters, it came holiday season '85. We all kinda already knew Apollo was gonna die. Before "spoilers" was a word? I think the trailer maybe gave it away. So it really wasn't a shock when they killed him off. I was like 8 years old. Stallone was my hero. And still is. That man is finally getting respect as a writer/director. The respect he should have gotten back then. They used to make fun of him because of the way talked. So he wasn't taken seriously. Jealous because his movies in the 80's made bank. And he had a fan base. The men in my family love Stallone like a rock star.
An exhibition is basically a glorified sparring match. Generally, you're not trying to knock each other out. That's why Apollo took it lightly. Also, Drago had never fought a professional fight up to that point, so Apollo had every reason to take it lightly.
Additionally, Apollo wasn't trying to hurt Drago, he was trying to embarrass him. He found out too late that Drago was trying to hurt him.
@BlackStudies Drago was not trying to hurt Creed as such, he was teaching him a lesson all that bragging before the fight was pointless to a Russian who would see it as the obvious decadence of the western world. Besides Russians don't "do" exhibitions Their character is the total opposite of the Americans.
Rocky 5 is not bad, Rocky Balboa is a must see, absolutely puts the end cap on the Rocky saga
One key thing is as an Olympian, Drago was used to fights never going past three rounds. He is a brutal puncher early on, but if you get him into more rounds his stamina will drop. Thus Rovky's face is not messed up like it was after his fights with Apollo.
Great reaction. Next is rocky 5 then rocky Balboa, then creed 1 then 2 then 3 . Keep going . Great stuff
Skip 5, it's terrible. Even Stallone doesn't like it.
Oh my gosh you're so much fun to watch a movie with lol! Thanks for letting me/us tag along, Really enjoy your reactions and excitement, keep 'em coming!
_"Whatever he hits, he destroys."_ .... Except for the thing he literally _just_ hit.
What’s up Coby 👋🏼
About Rocky throwing in the towel:
I’m not sure if the ref would’ve been able to get in between Drago and Apollo in time to save him…..especially after seeing how the referee struggled to stop Drago after the bell in the first round.
By the time the ref sees the towel and goes over to try to stop the fight, Drago probably still gets all those punches off.
We find out who won the Apollo/Rocky fight many years later
It's actually quite obvious who won. Apollo gets the confidence to fight again and take on Drago because he beat Rocky again.
Coby had the BEST REACTION to Rocky IV ever!! And, the best reactions to the Rocky movies!!
I reckon she'll be in her own movie soon💁♂️
watching you reacting to the death of Apolo is priceless ........we all felt the same
The mustache guy is a famous painter who painted the end of movie fight with Apollo and Rocky. Leroy Nieman
Lundgren is an actor and now producer--from memory, I remember he played in a movie called judge Dredd (futuristic story where he plays a law enforcement officer who is policeman, judge and executor at the same time, so he could clean the city from crime faster--he arrest the bad guy, judges him and execute him in 3 minutes. And yes, James Brown--I remember watching this video on MTV, it played several times a day in the summer of 1985--Brown almost resurrected his career with this big hit. You can still find the original video somewhere on you-tube, if you're interested. And about Apollo's death, they both sign a contract before the match to avoid any legal complication. It happened here 2 years ago between 2 female boxers. the mexican girl wasn't ready for the fight and she died from a concussion after the match. Rules have changed here since this happened.
Mr. T (real name Laurence Tureaud) is a really good guy in real life, gives a lot of his time to charity etc. and I've heard nothing but good things about him.
You cut him, you HURT him. You see! He's not a machine, He's a MAN!
Coby, it's important to understand the back story. Back then Russia was still the USSR (Soviet Union), which was America primary nemesis in the world. However when it came to sports, Communist countries only engaged in amateur tournaments like the Olympics, which by rule was aka amateurs, including Americans. So we never got to use out best (pros) in the Olympics etc., but their amateurs were amateurs in name only. They fought, played and trained like pros. That's why they called it "The Miracle on Ice" when a bunch of college kids from America defeated the most dominant Hockey team in the world in 1980. The Soviet Hockey team was so dominant they beat the NHL All-Stars and the defending champs in exhibition tournaments, and made it look easy. So that's the backdrop of this movie. It was made when the "COLD WAR" and all of the above still applied.
I'm from Philly. We love Rocky. It's like he's a real person around here.
Just discovered your channel and what a delight...you're reacting to one of my favorite movies of all time. It must be a wonderful feeling going through the decades of cinema and experiencing its masterpieces.
I love your reactions😊 Rocky is one of the best Movies ever. I also was crying After Apolo past away
"I think he's gonna beat Apollo, then Rocky will fight him" Oh you poor poor girl😂😂😂
20:47 - Her Drago impression here of "If he dies...he dies" is actually pretty damn good. 😂
I can't believe that I have spent the last few hours of my life re-watching Rocky movies with you, but I have and I have to deal with that:). You are freakishly watchable. I don't know what you do outside of these reaction videos, but you are incredible on camera! Act, comment, podcast, whatever...just continue to find reasons to be on camera because you're a joy to watch. I spent a few years in casting and what you have going on is rare. Keep it up, Coby. For reals, yo! (Thank God you didn't get into any more Rocky movies so far...I have shit to do:))
During the fight with Drago Rocky started with the mind games and went street fighting using experience knowing Drago didn't know that type of fighting because he's a prize fighter...took Drago through several feelings...1) Uncertainty 2) Disbelief 3) Frustration and finally just all out not caring about boxer only to end Rocky being bigger, stronger and younger and couldn't put the older one away.
Love your excited reactions - makes watching movies with you FUN
I really recommend watching Stallone's directors cut version. Rocky v Drago that came out a few years ago. It's a different take on the original with 40 mins removed and replaced with 40 mis of new footage. It gives the movie a totally different feel. More mature and in line with the newer films with sound and editing. A better movie overall.
Coby, please, please, PLEASE stay in for the long haul and go all the way through the Creed trilogy. I love your reactions to these movies so much.
I don't know when you actually watch this compared to when it's uploaded but you didn't mention it but *Carl Weathers* who plays *Apollo Creed* died last month (Feb1)
Brigitte Nielson also played Sonja in the movie Red Sonja. Co-starring with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Give it a watch. 👍 -OG
Sylvester Stallone said years later in an interview that he made a mistake killing off Apollo’s character and should have just made him injured instead.
*Rocky V* is 50/50 with fans I think it's GOOD it's just not as GREAT as a first 4. But I don't have a problem with it like some do
An exhibition isn't sanctioned by the boxing authority so it doesn't go down as a professional fight on your record & you don't have to meet health evaluations & drug test (which weren't that strong in the boxing authority back then anyways)
Great reaction to this classic Coby. I hope you continue with the rest of Rockyfilms & then the Creed movies....Also since you like Stallone in these Rocky films, why not check out the other iconic character that Stallone is also best known for...John Rambo, in the Rambo films...
First Blood (1982)
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
Rambo III (1988)
Rambo (aka Rambo IV)(2008)
Rambo: Last Blood (2019)....please watch the extened cut of this last film. The US theatrical was sadly heavily edited by the studio, against the director & Stallone's wishes. They kept all the action but removed all the emotional & character moments. The extened cut is the film that the director & Stallone intended for all audiences to see before the studio re-edited the film without their involvement.
Keep these reactions coming. I'm enjoying them all 😁
It's my head canon that the reason why Drago was such a silent machine was because the guy knew very little english and didn't know what to say most of the time. So he choose to stay silent and let the others speak for him.
Maybe its just me, but when he is speaking in Russian, he seems pretty normal and has actual emotions behind his words.
😊 This film franchise is proof that Repetition is NOT the problem; nor Formula… Not if you have heart & charm. 🙌 We want a Hero/Heroine We Can LOVE ❤️
#FatigueIsFake #HeartIsEverything
Thanks for another awesome reaction. I'm really glad you stuck around with these sequels.
Don't worry about how you feel. We all cried like babies.😭
What amazed me about the Rocky films especially when Micky collapsed, and Apollo was knocked out unconscious, no Doctor was there ringside or around.
Coby wants more Dolph, what better than Universal Soldier with some JCV-MFing-D!
Dolph Lundgren. Was in Rocky IV and that was one of the first films that he was in. But since then he’s been in over 100 films. 2023 he was in one of the more recent Aquaman films and he played king.Nereus
There is rumored to be upcoming film with Dolph Lundgren renewing his role as Drago. And the name of the film would be Drago, but that’s just rumored right now.
A lot of respect to Stallone for the punishment he put his body through. Those punches at 31:00 are real. You can tell because his head doesn’t snap back. (And because he mentions it in the behind the scenes documentary on UA-cam).
Before there was Topgun Maverick, before there was No time to die, long before....this was the film I saw 20twnty times, bought the soundtrack, and used it to inspire a little gym work for myself. good times good times, when the world was a lot safer.
Love seeing Coby watch these classics! Hope to see her reactions to Band of Brothers in the near future!
Coby I got to be a extra in the crowd for the last fight at the end when I was 17
Your dog and me, gotta rewatch this with ourselves baby...lol
Essentially the artificial vs the natural even if it's a story never forget humans are remarkable for the ability to change from frail to unstoppable with the right motivation.
Coby, Coby, Coby, 😂 yaas what a legend of a bird 🇬🇧
We all remember where we were the night Rocky Balboa ended the Cold War. Forever a personage of historical significance.
My favorite of the franchise. Probably because of my age, I was 8 when it came out and it was always on HBO growing up. I saw it in the movie theater too. I know just about every single word and song, lol. Rocky single-handedly wins the Cold War!!!! Let's GO!!!!!!
There is so much character development between Rocky and Apolo. You give the best reactions for this series. Please complete it, including Creed.
Dolph Lundgren also played He-Man in the 1987 Masters of the Universe movie. it bombed.
New to your channel and subbed. Great reaction Coby. This is my favorite Rocky movie, but you're right - they are all pretty close out of the first 4
Dolph Lundgren is an actor. He also has a masters degree in Chemical Engineering, is a 4th dan black belt in Kyokushin Karate and was a European Champion in said Karate!
The place which Rocky arrives at as 'Russia' was filmed in Wyoming, USA, while the fight was filmed in Vancouver, Canada with loads of extras dressed in military uniforms.
I read that the robot was in the movie because Stallone's oldest son Seargeoh (the baby in Rocky 2) is autistic, and Stallone had seen an interview with the robot's inventor where he mentioned that he felt that in certain educational situations a child may respond/learn more from a robot than a human teacher. So, in between takes Stallone, the robot and the inventor would work with Seargeoh.
I also read that in an earlier draft of the script that when Adrian came to Russia to support Rocky that she would reveal that she was pregnant.
at the end of the day, imo, Rocky IV is the best of all the movies. Rocky is biggest out of all the movies. The robot, called Strohobot, weird enough, I actually met and had my picture taken with him as a child. the fall of Apollo, well, was the main catalyst of the movie. the changing of the russian views during the fight, whether or not that would have actually happened at the height of the Cold War, no idea. but certainly made for an absolutely spectacular movie. Dolph has been in many many movies, Universal Soldier, the Expendables, many others.....and also, has a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering
7:06 Watch Weird Al's parody of this, Living with a Hernia. Brown loaned Weird Al the sets, got him in ckntact with the same band and dancers, coached Al on all his moves, and was present during filming to help if needed.