“Rocky IV”: When Rocky goes to Russia to train for his fight against Ivan Drago, Paulie complains nonstop about the cold and being cut off from the world. “Rocky III”: Opens with a jealous Paulie smashing a pinball machine bearing Rocky’s image and complaining he’s been mistreated. “Rocky II”: Paulie suggests that if Adrian is giving Rocky trouble, “ya just need to break her teeth.” He also calls her “busted” in one scene for not being a virgin. Yes, it’s to get her to go out with Rocky, but that was a perfectly good turkey! He also doesn’t know why Rocky is interested, seeing as how Adrian is almost 30 and unmarried. “Rocky”: Paulie throws out Adrian’s Thanksgiving turkey. But just to recap his actions from each film: Young is wonderful in the role and the character is necessary for a lot of the plot points to move forward. No disrespect to the great Burt Young, who earned an Oscar nom for best supporting actor for the first “Rocky” for playing Adrian’s cynical, brutish bother Paul “Paulie” Pennino. To this day, it remains a sobering reminder of just what these fighters are risking every time they step into the ring. It’s shot and edited in a visceral, shocking way and when Apollo falls to the ground and spasms, it’s almost impossible to watch. There’s even a talking robot that Paulie makes his girlfriend (don’t think too hard about that one.) And the montages! There are so many that one of them (played during “Hearts on Fire”) incorporates footage seen in a montage just minutes earlier! (Over on Twitter, Phil Lord admitted it inspired this parody on “Clone High.”)Īll that said, there is a pivotal moment that is all too real when Drago kills Apollo in their match. Few movies could feature both James Brown and a heartfelt speech about the Cold War. “Rocky IV” is another fun entry, a completely silly one that is a perfect encapsulation of its time. “Rocky IV” Is Absolutely Ridiculous … But Apollo Creed’s Death Is Genuinely Horrifying T is a force as this truly hateable bad guy, which might be why “Rocky III” is one of the most fun of the series. He verbally attacks Rocky during his retirement speech, propositions Adrian and even refuses to shake Apollo’s hand, calling him a “has-been.” Mr. The exception is Dolph Lundgren’s Ivan Drago in “Rocky IV,” but he only has like three lines and seems more machine than man. It’s similar with most of the boxers who come through the series, they eventually show admiration for Rocky or Adonis Creed. There was a respect between the two that grew into a friendship. I’m obviously not alone - Ryan Coogler brilliantly mined this history for “Creed.”Ĭlubber Lang Is the Best Villain of the SeriesĪpollo Creed was Rocky’s best opponent, but he was never truly a villain. Watching the first two “Rocky” films, I wanted to know more about this man, so wonderfully brought to life by Carl Weathers, who seemed to build himself up from nothing and understood the showmanship part of the business better than anyone. (She was in the lead category opposite the unstoppable Faye Dunaway in “Network.”)Īpollo Creed Is Fascinating From Moment One Shire was nominated for an Academy Award in 1977 and I think if she had competed in the supporting actress category, might have won. Their relationship is what elevates “Rocky” beyond another underdog story and makes it one of cinema’s great love stories. Shire is a revelation as Rocky’s love Adrian, playing a woman desperate not to be seen. Even his opponent, who once scorned him, tells him he’s “the future of this division.” The first “Creed” film parallels this Adonis doesn’t win the match, but he proves he’s a contender. When the match ends in the first “Rocky,” he’s not even interested in the results - he just wants Adrian by his side. He tells Adrian, “If I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I’m still standin’, I’m gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren’t just another bum from the neighborhood.” He makes his name not by beating Apollo, but by earning his respect and the love of the audience. And in that first film, no one thinks Rocky will win - including himself.

Rocky balboa speech gif