Between the years of nineteen-eighty to nineteen-ninety, some of the manliest movies of all time were released to the public. Manly men showed manly emotions and manly feats of manliness to carve out their legend into the hall of manliness for all mankind. Look onto this article and be amazed by the manliness herein.
To kick off our multitude of manliness, we begin with that seminal comic strip hero and all-around paragon of machismo: Flash Gordon.
Although he debuted in a comic adventure strip in 1934 and was reincarnated in radio, comic books, live-action, and animated series prior to the release of the 1980 film, Flash Gordon is best known in his macho but understanding version starring the charismatic, bottle blonded, likable dude, Sam J. Jones.
The cast featuring such strong actors as Max Von Sydow as Ming, Melody Anderson as Dale Arden, Brian Blessed as Prince Vultan, and Chaim Topol as Dr. Hans Zarkov, we must focus on the true heart of the article the manliness of Flash Gordon.
Manly movie action sequence-Flash Gordon Football player versus advanced alien race, because why not?
Manly stare and glare action- While the rocket he’s flying on is burning up around him, and alien wind hits him in the face, Flash Gordon keeps it between the lines.
Manly love moment for manly hero- Princess Aura, played by Ornella Muti, makes a play for Flash, because who wouldn’t. So, she shows him how to use a telepathy helmet to contact Dale Arden, which everyone knows is Flash’s, true love. So, even though Aura is putting the moves on our boy, he still focuses on Dale, and keeps himself true.
Manly moment of sensitivity-When first in Ming’ palace Dale Arden reaches for both Dr. Zarkov’s and Flash’s hands, but since Flash is super secure he allows it, and shows his manly, yet , sensitive side.
Manly moment of manliness-Flash flying a rocket cycle, laser-blaster beams all around him, and he flies right into it, because like the song says, “he’s he king of the impossible”king .
And in case you didn’t believe me, here’s Queen to back me up:
Manly epic moment of conclusion-After the defeat of Ming The Merciless, his automated systems thanks Flash Gordon for freeing the planet, and of course as fitting the first manly movie of the 80’s decade, Flash leaps into the fisheye lens in a raucous cheer -leap thing.
Manliness on a scale of Jean Claude Van Damme (Kickboxer) to Sho Kosugi (Revenge Of The Ninja)-Two and a half Sho’s due to the adept combination of manliness and sensitivity.
Come back for our next episode Enter The Ninja-1981.