The first two Rambo films stand as two of the finest examples of ‘80s action flicks. Throughout the ‘80s, Stallone and Schwarzenegger churned out kick-ass action films without the use of CGI special effects. The Rambo series took a downward turn with Part III, in 1988, but it was still entertaining. Stallone did a good job with the last Rocky film, which was better than the previous two sequels, but was not an action film. I had my doubts about whether he could make a successful return to the action film genre at his age and after so many years.
The film starts out with real images of the civil war in Burma, which has been going on for over 30 years. It’s more like a genocide than a civil war. The military has no problem wiping out entire villages. We soon learn that Rambo has been living in Thailand, catching dangerous snakes and selling them. As always, he’s trying to stay out of the way and mind his own business. But it wouldn’t be a Rambo movie unless his peaceful existence was interrupted. This time a group of missionaries need him to escort them to Burma in his boat so that they can help the people. Rambo’s response is that unless they have guns, they can’t help. The missionaries won’t take no for an answer, and eventually the pretty face in the group convinces Rambo to take them to Burma despite his repeated warnings to go home. While this back and forth is going on between Rambo and the missionaries, we get scenes of the Burmese military killing and raping villagers. They are extremely brutal, but that’s only the start of the brutality in this movie.
The missionary’s boat trip is interrupted by thugs who want to rape the only female in the group, who Rambo had taken a liking to. Rambo isn’t about to let that happen and quickly dispatches them. He has clearly not lost his skills. One of the missionaries is upset, claiming that there is never an excuse to take a life, but Rambo grabs him by the throat and is tempted to kill him for his insolence. Rambo drops them off in Burma and heads back home. Only days later, the missionaries end up being captured. A small team of mercenaries is hired for a rescue mission. Rambo is once again asked to make that trip down the river, with the mercenaries. Upon arrival in Burma, Rambo is ordered to stay by the boat. As soon as the mercenaries find themselves confronted by a few military soldiers, Rambo is there for the rescue, using his bow and arrows to pick off the soldiers. Having proven himself, he takes a leadership role in planning the rescue.
The rescue from the military camp and subsequent battle at the river is non-stop ‘80s style brutal violence. This violence is more brutal than what you would see in the ‘80s. Rambo kills people with his bare hands, with knives, and with a large machine gun that can blow off any limb. It’s like you are watching a war, with Rambo raking up the highest body count. The military were shown as being so evil throughout the film that the audience was cheering as Rambo exacted his brutal form of vengeance.
Rambo is not for the feint of heart. The violence is shockingly brutal and right in your face. I even saw people at the screening turn away or cover their eyes. Being such a huge fan of the ‘80s action film, I couldn’t help but enjoy it. I didn’t go expecting a great story. I went to see good action, and that’s what I got. If we had a Rambo in Iraq, that war would be over. Stallone has once again managed to end a movie franchise on a high note. See this one in the theater, assuming you don’t have a weak stomach.
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