Sylvester Stallone vs Arnold Schwarzenegger
With the Expendables 2 being released this weekend, and the true return of action legend Arnold Schwarzenegger there is no better time to compare two of the greatest action stars ever. Stallone and Schwarzenegger aren’t the best actors ever. Between the hilarious one-liners, over-acting, and stupid dialogues, the two certainly aren’t oscar worthy in every performance. However, these guys don’t need to be fantastic actors. As long as they kick ass, blow s**t up, and use there muscles to defeat evil, Stallone and Schwarzenegger will always have a warm spot in our hearts. For those who are thinking “why is this on comicbookmovie.com,” it’s simple. Stallone and Schwarzennger defined the action genre for movies throughout the 20th century. The Rocky films, the Terminator films... these are just two series of films of there’s that have impacted everybody’s lives. The action, large muscles, and explosions were all groundbreaking for there time, and what they have created has now been transformed into most of the comic book movies we all watch today. Action films wouldn’t be nearly the same without these two guys, and in honor of there accomplishments, it’s time to look at who is truly the greatest action star.
1. Appearance:
Both Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger were ripped. Muscles popping out everywhere, six pack abs, gigantic biceps, these traits helped make these actors so credible in there famous roles. Of course both of them have admitted to taking steroids, but each actors incredible body made viewers believe that these guys can really do what there doing on screen. No one is going to watch Johnny Depp or even Leonardo DiCaprio run around shirtless for at least 90 minutes looking to kill anyone in there way. People wanted to see big guys who can fight, use there gun, and do whatever is needed to complete there goal. Stallone gets stronger and stronger as he increases in Rocky movies. And Stallone’s body in Rambo... forget about it. But, as strong as Stallone once was, in this category I give the edge to Schwarzengger. Schwarzenegger started his acting career as a bodybuilder, in fact, he even competed in several Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting contents, where he then earned the tittle of Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe. Schwarzenegger’s gigantic size helped make his characters even more memorable, and although Stallone in his prime was no “scrub”, he still couldn’t match Schwarzennger’s massive complex.
2. Acting Ability:
Everybody knows that Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger aren’t the best actors. Mainly known for there cheesy one-liners, stupid dialogues, and a large amount of over-acting, no one ever expected the two action stars to reach the acting heights of Jack Nicholson and Robert De Niro. However, no one wanted them too. These guys are action stars, who simply are best at wowing the audience, and giving them entertainment like no other. Stallone isn’t the best actor in the Rambo films, his arm-wrestling movie Over The Top (1987), The Specialist (1994), and even comic book movie’s own Judge Dredd (1995). And hopefully you haven’t seen Rhinestone (1984), where “Sly” teams up with Dolly Parton to become a country singer, or Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), no description is even necessary (you are welcome). But Stallone is incredible in the Rocky films. Earning a nomination for best actor and best writer in Rocky (1976), Stallone as Rocky is one of the most remarkable, and most memorable movie performances of all time. I truly believe nobody could have done what Stallone did with Rocky. Schwarzenegger has no films like Rocky, where he’s either a bad or alright actor in his films. He was great in the first two Terminators, but he was no Rocky. In the end, Stallone is just a better actor than Schwarzenegger.
3. Movies:
In this category I’ll be taking a look at who has had the better movies, not better acting performances. It’s hard to list Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s incredible amount of great movies. Starting with Stallone you of course have the first four Rocky movies. Rocky (1976) was nominated for a whopping 10 academy awards, where it won 3 oscars, including Best Picture. Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), and Rocky IV (1985) were all great movies, each with there own memorable opponents, characters and moments. Moving along from the Rocky films, of course there are the Rambo films. There is no question Stallone kicked some serious ass in those films. Every man loves Rambo, yet again how can you not? Cliffhanger, The Expendables, Tango & Cash and Nighthawks are all good movies. One of my favorite movies of all time is also a classic. Demolition Man (1993) is a movie where Stallone goes in the future to face his past foe, a character played by Wesley Snipes. Also co-starring Sandra Bullock and Denis Leary, this film is great. Stallone is actually really good in this movie, and it is fun, entertaining, and a creative film. For those who haven’t seen it I HIGHLY suggest watching it. You will love Demolition Man, guaranteed. Schwarzenegger has more movies I believe than Stallone. The Terminator films are great, and are truly one of America’s greatest action flicks ever. Total Recall (1990), Predator (1987), True Lies (1994), Conan the Barbarian (1982), Commando (1985), and Kindergarten Cop (1990) are his best films aside from The Terminators. He is good in every single one, and of course, he kicks some serious ass in all of these flicks. But alike Stallone, there are also some terrible films of his. You know CBMers I was going to have to bring up Batman & Robin (1997). The worst comic book movie ever, Schwarzenegger’s puns and one liners make Mr. Freeze so awful it’s hard to put Batman in that light ever again. Just a terrible movie, some of that acting is some other films. Gosh, that movie is so bad. After this long paragraph it is fair to say they both have there long list of entertaining films. Schwarzenegger has more good films, but Stallone has a shorter list of great films. I feel that quality is better than quantity, and in that aspect I am giving this category to Stallone by a slim amount. This could go either or and I’d have no problem, but I just feel the Rocky’s are so great, Schwarzenegger’s films just cannot top that type of greatness.
4. Quotes:
This category might seem a little strange to you, but when it comes down to the legendary action movies of Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, you have to consider there famous quotes, one-liners, and occasionally silly answers. Stallone has had dozens and dozens of great quotes, ranging from “YO ADRIAN!!” (Rocky), “you’re a disease, and I’m the cure” (Cobra), and “when you’re pushed, killing’s as easy as breathing.” (Rambo) Stallone has plenty more of more great one-liners, most good enough to even get a good laugh out of you. But in this category, Schwarzenegger cannot be defeated. In the movie Predator (1987) alone, Arnold throws several great one-liners at us like “Run! Go! Get to da choppaaa!”, “if it bleeds, we can kill it”, and “you’re one ugly motha [frick]a.” With Schwarzenegger, I don’t know if it’s his accent, over-acting, or just flat out tone that makes his one-liners so classic, but I do know that his one-liners almost make his movies a little better. One-liners play a significant role in the action movies Stallone and Schwarzenegger make. It may seem a little stupid, but these one-liners and other silly aspects of the movies make these films what they are today.
5. Cultural Impact:
The last and hardest category belongs to cultural impact, where we’re going to see who played the largest role in defining and shaping the action film genre. Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger both created a number of great actions films. Filled with explosions, violence, curse words, women, and one-liners, these action movies have defined a generation for millions of people throughout the world. Kids and adults have been able to go to the movie theaters, or sit at home, and watch films that are entertaining, and that solely make you enjoy watching a movie. It’s hard nowadays to watch a series of movies and enjoy every one. Stallone and Schwarzenegger did so much to create and help establish this industry that to give one the advantage over the other is just not fair. They both have children around the world look up to them, and use there one-liners for the sake of purely having fun. The Hollywood walk of fame, more movies coming out, A-list celebrity status, an Oscar for Stallone, and becoming the governor of California for Schwarzenegger, they have each done more than enough to make a large contribution to society.
The Verdict:
To sum this article up, both Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger have each came out of this “bout” equal in number of advantages in each category. It’s hard to chose one winner, but again, someone has to win. So without further or due the winner of the battle for the greatest action film star of all time is..................................................
SYLVESTER STALLONE! Stallone comes out on top because of his great acting in the Rocky’s and others. He’s been practically great in all of his action movies, aside from a select few, and his attitude when he talks makes you smile with excitement. Stallone is a truly a warrior on screen, and there’s no surprise that he’s the main star of The Expendables (2010) and The Expendables 2 (2012). Schwarzenegger is a great actor, and his films have been legendary, but Stallone has had too many memorable roles that overtopped Schwarzenegger’s. In the end, they both are still two of the greatest action stars to ever walk on this earth. They each have contributed to comic book movies today by showing them the type of action they need to make viewers enjoy there movies the way they have with Stallone and Schwarzenegger’s.
Who do you think is the greater action star?! Sound off in the comments below, and make sure you check out The Expendables 2 today, starring Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and more. To heat up the debate make sure you hit that that THUMBS UP BUTTON (Y)!
-CaptainDC