MovieChat Forums > Rocky III (1982) Discussion > Character analysis of Clubber Lang

Character analysis of Clubber Lang

posted 9 years ago by corywiththet
11 replies | jump to latest

I know one was done years ago. Clubber, at heart, wasn't an evil person. Clubber was a hothead, a bully and a thug. Yet, Clubber was not completely evil. Clubber was right at times. Understandably, Clubber was angry that Rocky had been ducking him for all of those years and not giving him a shot at the title. That was more Mickey's fault than that of Rocky. Clubber also was right in saying that Rocky had been taking on easier fighters, but not "set-ups" as Clubber called them. Yet, Clubber was a jerk. He tried picking a fight with Rocky before their first fight in the ring. Clubber shoved Mickey, causing Mick's heart attack. Even though it was an accident, Clubber never apologized or gave any sympathy. Good and hungry fighter. A true beast. However, Lang was a jerk, despite being honest and hungry. Clubber also tried to pick a fight with Apollo outside of the ring before the first match between Lang and Balboa, and again before the rematch. Worse mistake ever.

[–] creatorof2002 9 years ago

Interesting analysis. I would like to add that after losing his rematch with Rocky Clubber did NOT show good sportsmanship by congratulating Rocky as boxers sometimes do.

Also, I think it is an incorrect myth that Clubber was not in good enough shape and tired too easily. I have seen comments like that on other threads. It is my belief that his tiring too easily was an ATTITUDE problem. By this I mean he rashly and over confidently assumed that he could knock out his opponents within the first 2 or 3 rounds even if the fight was scheduled for 15. He tired so quickly only because he would go into a frenzied rage throwing everything he had, which is probably as tiring as running a full on wind sprint. The greats like Mohammid Ali paced themselves and did not expect a quick win any more than a chess player would expect a checkmate in the first few moves. Had Lang not thrown so many wild punches and wasted his energy in rage I believe he would have lasted many rounds longer (though he was not in AS good a shape as Rocky, Rocky was in absolutely peak human condition). All of his training scenes made it obvious that Clubber was in fine shape.

Clubber is lucky as hell that the boxer's wife he chose to sexually harass (that comment about coming to his place to see a real man) was Rocky. Had he talked that way to Ludmilla Drago Ivan would have DESTROYED him......

[–] hurricane_greg86-596-716877 9 years ago

If Clubber said that to any other boxer they would've called him a racial slur and laid at least a shot to the mouth knocking his front teeth out.

[–] creatorof2002 9 years ago

I wonder what would have happened if Clubber had talked that way to Ludmilla Drago (Ivan Drago's wife)?

[–] hurricane_greg86-596-716877 9 years ago

She would've taken him up on the offer and at the same time use some kind of chemical agent to infect him like that double agent got a few years ago.

[–] creatorof2002 9 years ago

IF he sexually harassed Drago's wife Drago would beat him to death.

[–] jsn_hylnd 9 years ago

I think Clubber would have done the teeth knocking.

[–] Dark_Sithlord 9 years ago

You know, Clubber was partially responsible for setting in motion, a series of events that led to his own downfall. Prior to the first match, Apollo Creed approached Clubber to offer well wishes for a good fight. Clubber insulted Creed, and called him a has-been. Creed then took it upon himself to train Rocky. I don't think Creed, under normal circumstances, would have done this and he certainly didn't do it out of the kindness of his heart. He did it mostly to settle a score against Clubber for insulting him by using Rocky as his instrument of revenge. If Creed hadn't trained Rocky, I doubt Rocky could have regained the title.

[–] KryptoKO 8 years ago

You're wrong in part. Apollo is a good man, and he in part did train Rocky out of kindness and concern. He clearly cares for Rocky.

[–] A-zone 8 years ago

Clubber, at heart, wasn't an evil person.

And yet everything you mentioned contradicts that statement of yours. All the things you've said about Clubber actually show that he is in fact evil.

I fail to understand how you can come to the conclusion that Clubber wasn't an evil person when he didn't do even a single good thing. Not one.

"I'm the dude, playing a dude that's disguised as another dude".

[–] acirluster 8 years ago

Actually I tend to agree with the OP. Clubber probably wasn't as evil-hearted as he portrayed himself to be. Just his statement "No I don't hate Balboa" alone shows there was at least some compassion in him. He clearly was a fighter who used anger and jealousy as a means of self-motivation against his opponents, and while this worked to his advantage in his first fight with Rocky it ended up being his downfall in the rematch. It's a shame that Clubber's character never appeared in another Rocky movie as it would have been interesting to see if his demeanor and personality had changed at all after losing the title.

[–] Hollywood_Square_Contestant 8 years ago

I think he'd make a PERFECT radio talk show host.lol