Retro review: Stallone, Van Damme and Arnold.

Stallone, Van Damme, and Arnold, Sounds like an Expendables movie.  Welcome to Lance at the movies, today we are going to talk about boxing, fighting, and cop buddy movies.  First, we will talk about the best picture winner Rocky.  Now I know most of you have seen Rocky and will tell me Lance why are you reviewing Rocky all of us have seen it?  This is a review to see if the movie stands up in 2020.  


It is 1976 and Sylvester Stallone is not a household name.  He writes a script and tells producers he wants to play the role himself, taking a big gamble.  Then it wins Best picture and Best screenplay that year.  This film is filled with the underdog spirit, anything you think you can't do, you can with hard work and a drive and determination to do it, that is the American way.  

I remembered all the joy rooting for Rocky when I was a kid and it is still a great film, but the one thing I did notice was the boxing.  The still of hitting each other was a little delayed, maybe because I am getting older and I want it to be perfect but nothing is perfect.  I always thought that it was real when I was a kid and now I can see that it is just a film for all of us to enjoy and not to pick at.  4 Karate chops I still love it but not in the same way as before.  

Next up 


1988's Bloodsport
Jean Claude Van Damme in his 2nd feature role Bloodsport,  Released by Canon films and distributed by Warner Bros.  I remember watching this in 7th grade, it was one of the coolest movies I had seen.  But when I got older I just decided "this is a chessy movie why do I need to watch this film?"  But I have been a missionary in Haiti and everybody loves Martial Arts films, so then it made it okay to like it again.  What I found out though is that many people love this film and enjoy it as much as I do.  If you are a Cannon films fan or just love fighting this is the film for you.  It starts with Frank Dux a soldier who is going on leave to Hong Kong to fight in the Kumatae.  It is a fighting championship that can lead to death.  The CIA is sent to find him and stop him from fighting in this competition but it is to no avail.  He goes and fights anyway.  It is filled with action and adventure and for those who love the 80s, 80s style.  I give it 3 Karate Chops and it is a fun ride in Cannon style.  I wouldn't advise it for younger viewers but it is a cool movie just to put on. 



1988's Red Heat 

I recently found this film in an Arnold 6 movie pack released by Lionsgate.  I will give links below if any of you are interested.  This is your old fashion buddy cop movie.  Arnold is a Russian soldier trying to stop drugs from coming into the Soviet Union.  There are Georgians in the USSR bringing it in.  So Arnold will stop them by flying to Chicago to find those responsible.  It is an entertaining film but does have bad language you wouldn't want your mom or children to hear so be advised.  But Arnold and Belushi are enjoyable to watch together and make a great team.  It is a great late-night cop film for you to put on and just watch, no thinking.  I give it 3 Karate Chops and it isn't as popular as other Arnold films but does the job if you need an action fix.  Take Care everyone and I will see you here next time, At the movies.

I do not have the rights for these images, they are used under fair use.  



Amazon links to films ( I am not sponsored by Amazon) 
https://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Sylvester-Stallone/dp/B000059H99  for Rocky 
Bloodsport 
https://www.amazon.com/Bloodsport-Various/dp/B00006RCOC/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1SPO32UBAUK50&dchild=1&keywords=bloodsport+dvd&qid=1605053788&s=movies-tv&sprefix=Bloodsport%2Cmovies-tv%2C360&sr=1-2

Arnold 6 film collection 
https://www.amazon.com/Arnold-Schwarzenegger-6-Film-Collection-DVD/dp/B01LTHZVPG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Arnold+6+film+collection&qid=1605053852&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1























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