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Starring
Sylvester Stallone
Directed by
Sylvester Stallone
Final Grade:
C+Rated R for strong graphic bloody violence, sexual assaults, grisly images and language
a review by Heith Carnahan
The Rundown
John Rambo (who else but Sylvester Stallone) has, for years now, retreated to the jungles of Thailand and made a quiet existence out of capturing Burmese pythons and selling them to local python shows. When a group of Christian missionaries (headed up by Julie Benz, best known for her work on TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") approaches Rambo about escorting them upriver and into Burmese territory so they can deliver food and medicine to the locals, he blows them off.
Sarah (Benz) pleads with Rambo to change his mind, and her emotional appeals finally convince him they're better off with him than without him, given that he can't persuade them to just go home. Burma, after all, is the site of a civil war that's been raging for nearly 60 years between the dictatorial government and the Karen Rebels, and the unspeakably bloody horrors of the conflict have become a daily reality for those unable to leave the region.
Sarah and the missionaries are eventually captured by the Burmese army, and it's up to Rambo and a group of mercenaries to rescue them from the war-ravaged jungle.
There Will Be Blood
For the umpteenth time in the last twelve months, we have yet another "you know what you're in for" movie hitting wide release. Stallone wisely released this one during the frozen tundra of the January cinematic season, surely realizing the new Rambo wouldn't be able to compete well any other time of year. [ Editor's note: Stallone was right to do this -- it only grossed $18 million its opening weekend, and it wasn't even enough to take first place. ] With that in mind, reading a review of Rambo almost seems unnecessary, but since we at Movie-Popcorn take all reviews seriously, here's what you'll need to know... beyond what you already know, of course.
The action is good -- really good at times. We know Stallone can do action, and Rambo is at its best when it stays in familiar territory, which it does for the bulk of the movie. The picture it paints of the savage, merciless civil war in Burma surprised even moi, with extermination scenes played out in the form of games and bets the government soliders take to see which of the captives will step on a land mine first; those who don't are simply gunned down, and the whole lot is left for the flies and wild pigs to feast on.
Since the plot is essentially a rescue mission and nothing more, that's easy enough to get involved with, and easy enough to carry out. Points to Stallone for raising the stakes, though, because as well as the overall picture is painted in the movie, you feel a real sense of urgency and excitement as the mission is carried out. For some reason, you care about getting these people out, a definite credit to the film's choreography and cinematography, given that these characters are hardly the deepest of wells. Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack score is, not surprisingly, very good also.
The Bottom Line
You're going to see it or you're not, period. If this is your bag, you'll have a great time with it. Other than that, it's only average.
-- Heith Carnahan, heith @ movie-popcorn.com