For today and tomorrow, I want to give my thoughts on the series of Rambo films that have been around since 1982. Today will be my thoughts on the first two films and tomorrow the last two and the one that just hit theaters. Let's get cracking.
First Blood had a lot of trouble getting made as a film before releasing in the fall of 82. I can't say much for the book since I have never read it, but I've heard of the changes made to it. Some of it done by leading man Sylvester Stallone. Despite that, it's the best of the series. It's more along the line of a suspenseful and survival movie. Rambo will do anything to survive and get rid of Sheriff Teasle and the rest of the Hope, Washington cops. And this comes after constant harassment from Teasle and the effects of being in Vietnam and various torture with PTSD coming when the cops want to shave him.
It's well crafted. Great cinematography for the 80s that makes it feel like it could be filmed from any era. A nice showcase of Rambo living off the land during his fight for survival. Stallone is excellent as the character. Add in solid performances from Richard Crenna as Colonel Trautman and Brian Dennehy's Teasle, who both create excellent drama with their clashes in how things should be handled, and you got one of the great movies of that decade. It is a little ridiculous at the end, but you can't blame Rambo for wanting to wreak havoc and get back at them. But the end dialogue is something you don't expect for that era of action heroes. The must watch film of the series.
Score: 8 out of 10
Now, First Blood Part II. Rambo is given a chance for freedom by participating in a mission to find POW's in Vietnam. A pardon may be made for him. With help from Trautman and stationed military guys in Thailand, he finds himself in a different kind of era of war. However, things don't go as smoothly and when the mission backfires, he must use whatever methods to escape and accomplish the mission at hand. I don't think this movie is that bad. Not as good as the first, but I don't see it as being that ridiculous compared to Commando or other Schwarzenegger action films.
It saves a lot of its action for the last 20 minutes when Rambo goes nuts and takes matters into his own hands to free the POW's. But it feels like two movies. The first half is a basic military film with redemption and a little action. Then the second half has some thrilling and suspenseful moments that ultimately becomes a popcorn flick action film. Some cheese, but it's not that over top. There is a love that feels a bit forced and the plot might confuse viewers. It's a very quick film that gets from point A to point B very fast without having additional storylines. The showcase of Rambo's ability to survive is not the greatest, but it has some stuff like resisting torture and using some of his guerrilla warfare. Out of the sequels, it's the best of them. It's just a matter of how much you can handle the cheese and action towards the end.
Score: 7 out of 10
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