John Rambo came to the public eye 26 years ago in 1982. Since then, he’s travelled the world twice to save the day again and again. Retired and trying to make amends for past doings, his location really doesn’t allow for such a moment. Once again, our hero is recruited for an adventure and underestimated at every turn.
Even though Rambo has every intention of staying neutral and out of the conflicts of his new home, he finds himself in the darkest and most brutal battle of his life.
The violent and graphic battle towards the end of the film has to be the best sequence to date in this franchise. The director did not hold back on the blood and guts as bodies lose their heads, arms, legs, and just explode before your eyes. I love movies that feature a lot of headshots and battlefield gore, and this movie did not disappoint.
I could probably fill this entire space with the joy I got from the epic jungle warfare, but I won’t bore you to death. However, it needs to be said that this movie doesn’t hold a lot of merit without the battle sequences. These movies are short, and the build-up to the action is always quick. That formula is on full display in this film.
There is hardly any significant character development, except these are the bad guys, and these are the good guys. Even though some of the good guys are complete jerks and you wish they’d die just like the enemies. Love has never been a major focal point of the Rambo story arc, but they sprinkle some mutual attraction between Rambo and one of the lead actresses. The whole angle provides some motivation when times get tough, but face it, Rambo needs little to no motivation to blow stuff up.
Rambo came out in 2008, which allowed for an older and worn Stallone to saddle up one more time. The special effects are probably the best in the series, but the story is one of the weaker entries to date. I am giving this film a higher rating than the previous two because of the action sequences. They were awesome. 7/10
Ten Stars or Less 