Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger Defined 80s and 90s Action Films

The Iconic Action Stars of the 1980s and 1990s

The 1980s and 1990s were a golden era for action movies, with stars like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger dominating the box office. Their films defined the action genre and inspired countless imitators. Though their heyday has passed, their iconic films remain popular today.

Sylvester Stallone and the Rocky and Rambo Movies

Sylvester Stallone first rose to fame with 1976's Rocky, the story of an underdog boxer who gets a shot at a title fight. Stallone wrote and starred in the film, which earned over $200 million on a budget of just over $1 million. With his portrayal of working-class hero Rocky Balboa, Stallone became an international star.

Stallone went on to write and star in five Rocky sequels from 1979 to 2006. Though not all the films matched the quality of the original, the franchise as a whole grossed over $1.7 billion worldwide. Along with the training montages, memorable music, and heartfelt storylines, a big part of the series' appeal was watching Stallone's underdog repeatedly defy the odds in the boxing ring.

In 1982, Stallone starred in First Blood, which introduced the character of John Rambo, a Vietnam vet who violently clashes with a small-town police force. Like Rocky, Rambo struck a chord with audiences and inspired multiple sequels. The second film, 1985's Rambo: First Blood Part II, was a major hit that cemented Rambo's place as one of the preeminent action heroes of the 1980s.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of Sci-Fi Action

While Stallone was creating his working-class heroes, Arnold Schwarzenegger ushered in a more fantastical strain of action movies. After his breakthrough role in 1982's Conan the Barbarian, Schwarzenegger starred in 1984's The Terminator, playing an unstoppable killer cyborg. With its blend of sci-fi and hard-hitting action, The Terminator established Schwarzenegger as the go-to lead for effects-driven spectacles.

Schwarzenegger expanded on this image with films like Commando (1985), Predator (1987), Total Recall (1990), and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). Though the quality varied, his films focused on impressive special effects and weaponry, cementing Schwarzenegger's screen persona as an impossibly strong, near-superhuman figure. Off-screen he embodied the action hero image, with his massive, muscular physique and background as a champion bodybuilder.

Recurring Themes and Lasting Popularity

While the Stallone and Schwarzenegger films vary in plots and settings, certain themes recur that help explain their lasting appeal. They often focus on one-man armies taking on endless hordes of faceless villains. The heroes may be outgunned, but they overcome through determination, brawn, and sheer force of will. The characters and storylines are straightforward, letting the kinetic action take center stage.

The confident, macho style of these stars also accounts for much of the films' popularity. Whether facing aliens, cyborgs, or simply human foes, their characters radiate a sense of swaggering invincibility. They made physical strength a key part of the actor's toolkit, doing many of their own stunts and showing off their impressive physiques.

While later generations of moviegoers turned away from these simplistic stories and hyper-masculine characters, the films retain a nostalgic appeal. They take audiences back to the days when a hunky, gun-toting hero could save the day through old-fashioned grit and muscle. They represent an action movie ideal that later films tried with less success to emulate and satirize. Whatever their flaws, the Stallone and Schwarzenegger films of this era represent the action genre at its peak.

The Legacy and Influence of Stallone and Schwarzenegger

Though their careers slowed in the late 1990s, Stallone and Schwarzenegger left an indelible mark on Hollywood and pop culture. They paved the way for subsequent action stars while cementing the genre's standard tropes. But beyond mere entertainment value, their films also offer some surprising insights relevant even today.

Establishing the Modern Action Hero Archetype

Schwarzenegger and Stallone established character templates that later stars adopted and modified. Bruce Willis in Die Hard, Keanu Reeves in The Matrix, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in films like The Rundown all employ similar traits. Their characters are hyper-capable but simple, earnest men wielding incredible abilities. They succeed through determination and force, not intellect. Audiences can live vicariously through their strength and conquests.

The lone hero overcoming impossible odds also recurs widely, from Alien and Predator to Die Hard and beyond. Schwarzenegger and Stallone's films made this underdog situation a standard story blueprint. Their stacked-deck scenarios built tension and kept the action thrillingly nonstop.

The Films' Unexpected Insights

On the surface, these movies seem to glorify violence, patriarchy, and simplistic narratives. But some also deliver deeper themes that resonate philosophically. The franchises grapple with ideas like morality, trauma, and loyalty. Characters like Rocky, Rambo, and the Terminator, despite their hyper-masculine trappings, become poignant figures when viewed metaphorically.

For example, some analyze the Terminator films as explorations of humans' relationship with technology. Others see Rocky as a Christ figure, with his humility, determination, and willingness to sacrifice himself. So amid the genre trappings, the films evoke wider ideas about humanity's strengths, frailties, and potential redemption.

Remaining Cultural Touchstones

Even today, Stallone and Schwarzenegger's most iconic roles remain cultural touchstones. Catchphrases like "I'll be back," images like Rambo's bow and bandana, and montages like Rocky's training scenes retain incredible pop culture clout. Their names still evoke thoughts of action and adventure. They also launched trends like the 1980s obsession with elite soldiers and excessive weaponry.

Yet modern films that directly emulate their styles usually fall flat. The stars' singular personas accounted for much of their appeal. Still, actors today pursue roles that promise similar cathartic thrills for audiences. The dream of attaining such distinctive, beloved action hero status endures.

Conclusion

Stallone and Schwarzenegger thoroughly transformed the action film genre. Their earnest underdog characters, bombastic filmmaking, and larger-than-life personas enthralled mainstream audiences worldwide. They set enduring trends and created indelible pop culture icons that retain residual fame and influence.

Of course, where the genre goes next remains unclear. But the stars' foundational, era-defining films ensure their legacy will persist. Audiences will likely continue getting cinematic thrills, chills, and laughs from these two singular artists' celebrated character creations for generations to come.

FAQs

How did Sylvester Stallone become famous?

Sylvester Stallone rose to fame by writing and starring in the 1976 film Rocky. His performance as working-class boxer Rocky Balboa turned him into an international star and launched the Rocky film franchise.

What was Arnold Schwarzenegger's breakthrough action role?

Arnold Schwarzenegger's breakthrough was playing the title character in 1982's Conan the Barbarian. His performance established him as a leading man in action films.

How did the Rambo character resonate with audiences?

John Rambo struck a chord as a Vietnam veteran who violently clashed with authorities. Like Rocky, he was an underdog figure audiences rooted for against the odds.

What recurring themes did these action movies have?

Common themes included one-man armies defeating endless villains, heroes overcoming stacked decks, and straightforward storylines focused on kinetic action.

Why do these stars remain cultural icons today?

Their most famous characters like Rocky, Rambo, and Terminator remain widely known pop culture figures. Their distinctive film personas left an enduring impact.