Rambo: First Blood Part II Review

MPAA Rating: R
Released: 1985

Rambo: First Blood Part II is another classic 80's Cold War action flick featuring John Rambo, an elite soldier that is charged with going to post-war Vietnam to uncover proof that POWs are still being held. Not only does Rambo discover the proof he was sent out to discover, he begins a one-man war with the sadistic Vietnamese and their Russian counterparts to bring our POWs back home.

I remember watching Rambo: First Blood Part II many times as a child and teen; it was one of my favorites since it depicted an American hero rescuing POWs left behind in communist Vietnam. Oh… and the film was packed with explosive action from beginning to end – I suppose that had something to do with my enjoyment as well.

This sequel to First Blood possessed a new director at the helm (George Cosmatos) as well as a different feel to the original. Whereas the original was a dramatic character study showing the toll the Vietnam war took on veterans as well as the disrespectful attitude many Americans showed these vets at the time, this film is more of a pure action film, though it included a patriotic spirit and a message that the government should never look the other way when POWs have been left behind.

After the events of First Blood John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) was sent to prison for his crimes. One day Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna) visits and requests that he head back to Vietnam and seek out proof that POWs are still being held. As payment for this service Rambo's sentence would be commuted.

Rambo accepts the request and heads to Vietnam, but whereas his mission was to just uncover the requested proof and return, Rambo refuses to leave any Americans behind in the hands of the Vietnamese and Russian captors. Waging a one-man war, Rambo struggles to lead the POWs through the harsh Vietnamese jungles and bring them back to America alive.

I recently decided to revisit this old favorite and see if it still held the same appeal as it once does, and I'd have to say for the most part it does. Although the Cold War is now over and Americans no longer fear the communist threat, most of the themes explored in the film are just as relevant today. Besides, good action films never go out of style.

Sylvester Stallone proves again why he was one of the 80's most recognized action stars. Although the entire premise of one man successfully staving off the Vietnamese army single-handedly is about as far-fetched as they come, Stallone somehow convinces us that if anyone was capable of it, Rambo is. Although Richard Crenna's role is relatively small in this film, he brings forth a military dignity that his character required.

Most of the other actors are pretty much background characters since the focus is clearly on Rambo, but Charles Napier does a great job playing the backstabbing Marshall Murdock. Julia Nickson's role as Co Bao is unfortunately short-lived, but her quiet determination provided a nice contrast to Rambo's sheer strength.

The jungles provide an eerie beauty to this film, for they truly are gorgeous, yet as we know from Vietnam they are also some of the most dangerous battlegrounds in existence. The contrast between the beauty of the land and the horrors of war provide a juxtaposition that serves this movie well.

If you were a child of the 80's then this is one film you'll surely remember, but if you grew up in the 90's or beyond and haven't yet seen this film I encourage you to strongly consider doing so. Action flicks of the 80's have a distinctive flair and style, and of the 80's action films Rambo: First Blood Part II was one of the best.

Movie rating: 8 stars

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