Sylvester Stallone Birthday Special: From ‘Cop Land’ to ‘Cliffhanger’, 5 Best Films of the Action Legend Beyond Rocky and Rambo Franchises
Even though he is called ‘Italian Stallion’ and his father is Italian, Sylvester Stallone was born in New York, USA, on July 6, 1946. Considered on a global level as one of cinema’s biggest action stars, Sylvester Stallone, or as he affectionately called ‘Sly’, reached great heights through a journey of hard work, resilience and a determination to win against all odds, from poverty to facial paralysis. Sylvester Stallone Birthday Special: From Rocky Balboa to Rambo, 5 of the Star’s Most Iconic Characters That Define His Career!
With numerous iconic roles to his credit, Stallone has significantly shaped the action genre. Additionally, he has occasionally excelled in dramatic roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Of course, his most iconic movies come from Rocky, Expendables and Rambo franchises.
However, as Sylvester Stallone turns 78, we look at five of the Hollywood legend’s best movies beyond these franchises.
‘Cobra’ (1986)
Sylvester Stallone in Cobra
In Cobra, Sylvester Stallone stars as Lieutenant Marion “Cobra” Cobretti, a tough and unorthodox LAPD officer who takes on a violent cult while protecting a key witness. It has all the ingredients of an ’80s pulpy action thriller. Not many know that Sly was first offered Eddie Murphy’s role in Beverly Hills Cop, but he wanted a darker take on the character and spun the screenplay in that manner. However, when that was rejected, Stallone left the film and used the screenplay elements in Cobra.
‘Cliffhanger’ (1993)
Sylvester Stallone in Cliffhanger
In Cliffhanger, Sylvester Stallone plays Gabe Walker, a mountain climber and rescue ranger haunted by a past accident that resulted in a friend’s death. When a group of criminals hijacks a plane and crashes in the Rocky Mountains, Gabe is reluctantly drawn back into action. It is a thrilling action-adventure that has a great opening sequence and a vicious antagonist, played by John Lithgow.
‘Demolition Man’ (1993)
Sylvester Stallone in Demolition Man
In Demolition Man, Sylvester Stallone plays John Spartan, a LAPD sergeant who is cryogenically frozen and thawed years later to capture a dangerous criminal, Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes). The thing is that in the future, when he awakens, crimes are non-existent, and sex is performed virtually, and we are still wondering how people washed themselves with three pebbles after going to the loo. It is an enjoyable sci-fi action thriller with good doses of comedy and an enjoyable turn from Sandra Bullock as Spartan’s love interest.
‘Daylight’ (1996)
Sylvester Stallone in Daylight
In Daylight, Sylvester Stallone plays a former NYC Emergency Medical Services chief who turns saviour for those trapped in a tunnel when a massive explosion blocks their exit paths. While Daylight was not a big hit at the box office, it was an exhilarating disaster thriller with some heart-pounding sequences and good special effects. ‘Tulsa King’ Season 2 Teaser: Sylvester Stallone Faces New Challenges in Upcoming Series Set to Premiere on Paramount+ on September 15.
‘Cop Land’ (1997)
Sylvester Stallone in Cop Land
In Cop Land, Sylvester Stallone portrays Freddy Heflin, the partially deaf sheriff of a small town in New Jersey who takes on the corrupt officers within his department. It is an unusual role for Stallone, whose character isn’t a brawny one but a pushover who is never seen as a threat by his peers. It is one of Sly’s best performances, while the film also stars Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, and Robert De Niro.
(The above story first appeared on Today News 24 on Jul 06, 2024 09:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website todaynews24.top).
