What’s Aged the Best?
Drago’s minimal dialogue, Rocky’s clothes, Paulie’s arc, the training contrast, montage density, opening credits, and Ivan Drago himself
In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:51Read transcript
- Drago’s six terse English lines remain iconic.
- Rocky’s oversized jacket was praised.
- Rocky wearing Cobra-style aviators to Apollo’s funeral was enjoyed as a specific mid-1980s choice.
- Rocky’s Hugo Boss sweatshirts and Scorpion-like robe were praised.
- Paulie’s arc from threatening brother-in-law to essential cut man was praised.
- Adrian’s snake-shaped watch was singled out as exceptionally gaudy.
- The natural-versus-steroids training montage remains effective despite its irony.
- James Brown’s credit as “The Godfather of Soul” was enjoyed. — Bill Simmons
- “Living in America” was reported as Brown’s first top-40 single in eleven years and the last of his career. — Bill Simmons
- The film’s high-tech sports equipment looked ahead of its time. — Bill Simmons
- Nearly 32 percent of the movie was reported to be montage.
- Apollo’s later-unacknowledged son aged well because it enabled the Creed continuation.
- The exploding Soviet and American gloves made the opening credits immediate and memorable. — Kyle Brandt
- Ivan Drago’s lasting screen presence was chosen as the strongest aged-best element. — Bill Simmons