Stallone's First Blood Versus Rambo: a Review
John Rambo Battles Genocidal Soldiers In 2008 Film
Dec 7, 2008
Sylvester “Sly” Stallone reprises the role of ex-Green Beret John Rambo in 2008’s Rambo. The action sequel picks up where Rambo III left off and is the first time Stallone has portrayed the legendary character since 1988.
Directed and co-written by Stallone, along with Art Monterastelli, the story is designed to show fans what happened to a much older John Rambo. And it is to be expected that the perfectly trained, emotionally unstable ex-commando wouldn’t be spending his retirement days in a part time job at Wal-Mart.
Now in his 60s, John Rambo churns his dilapidated boat up-and-down a river running through Thailand and Burma, while capturing venomous snakes that he sells to vendors in the local tourist trade.
One day Rambo is approached by a group of religious missionaries wishing to hitch a ride to Burma to help war-torn tribes who are continually attacked by genocidal soldiers.
Rambo reluctantly agrees to take the missionaries to Burma after a Sarah – a young, naïve volunteer – delivers an idealistic speech about her desire to change the world. His involvement with their cause becomes more extensive after the group goes missing and Rambo has to join a group of mercenaries to find them.
For years, while living in Thailand, Rambo tries to go against his killer instincts, but realizes that he has to embrace his true self to save the missionary workers.
Rambo’s Brand New Cast And Trademark Knife
A 2008 perspective of Rambo isn’t any different. Even as an older man he can take out hundreds of enemies with a 50 caliber machine gun, bow-and-arrow or knife. On the other hand, Stallone is the only recognizable cast member from the older movies and is beginning to look weathered.
There are many similarities and differences between the new Rambo and First Blood, its original predecessor from 1982.
Rambo has none of the old faces from the first three movies. They left out Richard Crenna as Colonel Samuel Trautman, Rambo’s former commanding officer and the only man who truly understands his nature. Trautman and Rambo’s love-and-hate relationship, a staple of each Rambo film, isn’t existent in this newest release.
Julie Benz plays Sarah, a girl who manages to emotionally reach Rambo and convince him to take her missionary group up river to Burma. A group of mercenaries – played by Matthew Marsden, Graham McTavish, Reynaldo Gallegos and others – join Rambo in the search for hostages.
The most notable change from the first three films is Rambo’s trademark knife. He typically uses a 10 to 15 inch military blade with one serrated side, but in this sequel Rambo forges a brand new knife resembling more of a machete.
Paul Schulze plays one of the missionary workers named Michael who righteously denounces Rambo throughout the film for killing, but uses a rock to murder a soldier who tries to kill him in the climactic battle scene -- showing that when faced with death man will do anything to survive.
Story Is Entertaining But Extremely Graphic
Like Stallone’s other comeback film, Rocky Balboa, the newest Rambo is entertaining. Stallone delivers a character aged well but often physically unrealistic, and the skilled yet cocky mercenaries complement Rambo’s military expertise during battle scenes.
One clear difference between First Blood and Rambo is the use of fake blood and guts. Bullets penetrating soldiers resemble a water balloon full of blood and gore exploding upon impact, unlike in the movies from the 80s that showed death but toned down the gore. These scenes are visceral, and not for the faint of heart or stomach.
The sub-plot between John Rambo and Sarah isn’t developed. She expresses her idealistic views of the world in one five-minute conversation with Rambo, yet that is all it takes for him to protect her as if she were his estranged daughter. There just wasn’t enough developing story behind this integral part of the story.
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