Rambo

Monday, August 18, 2008


Rambo Mondays concluded with Rambo IV: Rambo (or maybe it's Rambo: First Blood Part 2: Part 2 or Rambo III: Part 2: First Blood Part 4. It's really hard to figure this shit out). It's simultaneously the best and worst of the series. It's the worst because of the corny writing and manipulative storytelling that is layered so thick in self-seriousness, including an inappropriate use of actual war footage. It would be offensive if it's message wasn't so muddled. On the one hand, it seems to genuinely want to make a political statement, and try to show the brutal realities of war. On the other hand, all the best parts of the movie involve awesome, awesome violence, effectively cancelling out the message.

And that gets us to why this might also be the best Rambo movie: the awesome fucking action. I've mentioned before that I'm not really a big Stallone fan, but I think it's clear here and in Rocky Balboa that he's matured into a reasonably talented director, and the action in this one is top notch. It's on a smaller scale than the last 2 entries, but feels twice as exciting and accomplished. And it's graphic as all hell. I mean, if this had been a horror movie and not an action movie, there's no way they would have given this an R rating. The action is more brutal and mean spirited than Bad Boys 2. It's like Verhoeven without the irony. And even though it's more "serious" than the other Rambo movies, it's conversely more fun for people who like violence. The last 15 minutes or so is just a rapid succession of "oh snap! that's awesome!" moments.

So it's hard to say if this one is my favorite... it's the best made on a technical level, the most exciting and the most fun (though I'm not sure it's trying to be). But it takes itself too seriously (I know, they all take themselves too seriously, but this one shows actual war footage and presumes itself to have actual significance to current events), and muddles any "message" it had by combining dark, disturbing violence with over-the-top action-extravaganza fun. I don't think Stallone had a clear idea of what movie he was making here, but his technical skill shines through, and as an action movie lover, I can't dismiss that. This is an A minus action movie trapped inside a C plus corny B-movie, trapped inside of a D minus political/artistic statement.

So, as far as the entire series goes, this one might be the most watchable, but perhaps it's overall value ties with parts one and two, with Rambo III coming in at an affectionate last place. This isn't a great action series, but it has great moments, and I enjoyed all 4 movies. I'm a little surprised that the character became such an icon, except in the sense that part 3 does kinda represent the pinnacle of 80's action movie excess, and maybe works as a symbol for the Reagan era. Other than that, the series' positive contributions to the genre are minimal (I certainly don't think the style has been as influential as Die Hard or Terminator 2, and it's probably responsible for inspiring a lot of bad 80's action movies), but I'd still be on board if they made another one. I'm guessing Stallone would helm it again and it would more directly follow-up on this one, so maybe they could call it Rambo 2.

Rambo III

Monday, August 11, 2008

It's been interesting to watch how this series went from a smaller action movie with a heavy dramatic slant, to basically becoming the epitome of 80's action movie excess. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just an observation. Rambo III is so far removed from the tone of the first film that Rambo takes on the entire Russian army, Troutman joins in for the action, and they even trade one liners and shit. Oh, and Rambo uses a tank to play chicken with a helicopter. Even the nonsensical title (there never was a Rambo II) just seems to perfectly encapsulate how a major studio insults the audience's intelligence in favor of creating a brand. Like it's not a film, it's a product.

It's a little boring in the first half, and definitely a stupid, soulless movie, but I'd be a liar if I didn't say the second half is fun. There's still some sort of pretense of seriousness/relevance, what with Rambo teaming up with the rebels in Afghanistan to fight the Russians (oops! I don't think Rambo meant to pave the way for the Taliban to come into power), but that all takes a back seat to the action.

I've never been a huge Stallone fan, he just doesn't have the track record that Schwarzenegger or Willis have, but having now recently seen all the Rambo movies, I'll give him credit for making a series without a bad entry. I mean, that's more than Van Damme accomplished. Still, his body of work (in action movies) as a whole maybe ties with early Steven Seagal.

This isn't as good as parts 1 or 2, but I still kinda liked it, as an action aficionado. Worth your time if you like this shit.

Rambo: First Blood Part 2

Monday, August 4, 2008

If I thought First Blood was more like the new Rambo than I remembered, then Rambo: First Blood Part 2 aka Second Blood is practically the same movie. And much like that movie, it's dramatic shortcomings (and perhaps a confused message) are redeemed by some good action. The action in the new Rambo is better than in the old original Rambo (meaning this one, not First Blood... god I love these confusing titles) but this one is more fun, with a certain indelible 80's-ness and earnest corniness that certainly adds a lot.

Okay, so if we're ranking these, then First Blood is a better movie, but Rambo: Follow-up Blood is more fun. So, um, I guess it's a tie?

First Blood

Monday, July 28, 2008

Shenan bought all the Rambo movies on a whim, which is weird because she hadn't even seen 1-3 and doesn't normally like action movies. So now we've instituted "Rambo Mondays" for the next several weeks, to go through this uniquely convolutedly-titled series.

I hadn't seen First Blood since I was a little tyke, and it wasn't exactly what I remembered. I saw the new Rambo back when it came out in theaters, and really loved the action but was iffy on the plot and dialogue, which was occasionally awesome but also kind of bordered on corny or just plain bad at times. I prefer good story and character work in an action movie, but I don't require it, so I still liked it. But my memory of First Blood, of the first Rambo movie, was of a serious, well-made drama with some good action scenes. Worlds apart from the sequels. And if I'm not mistaken, it has a critical reputation that the others don't.

So my point is I was surprised when First Blood turned out to be a lot like Rambo: it's a very well-made action movie with inconsistent writing, and some occasional corniness. (And when I say Rambo, I mean the new Rambo, not Rambo: First Blood Part 2, although if I recall it correctly the same descriptions might fit). Stallone and Brian Dennehy both give strong performances, but Richard Crenna really hams it up as Troutman (his dialogue doesn't help), and a number of supporting characters are given some kinda bad dialogue too. Both movies have a certain pretense of drama and importance about them, although First Blood is a lot more successful since it's message doesn't contradict itself like Rambo's does.

Any ways, I'm gonna try to rank these Rambo movies as we go along, so I guess by default right now this one is the best.