Return to
Polar Blair's Den Menu Page(1982-?)
Back to "Action Movies" Main Page
About These Films
Gallery
1. First Blood (1982)
2. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
3. Rambo III (1988)
4. Rambo (2007)
5. ?
About These
Films: The notion that Rambo would become such a movie
icon was a surprise to everyone concerned. Especially since our
hero died in the novel of which the first film was based. Before
John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), the wildest action movies got were
James Bond and Dirty Harry. Rambo is what really changed the face
of action in the 1980s. James Bond was action with
sophistication, Dirty Harry was action with gritty realism, but Rambo
was wild and fiercely violent.
In some ways, Rambo is similar to Stallone's other major movie hero Rocky. Both are underdogs; both are nice guys until they're pushed. However, we KNOW Rambo is going to win any fight. There's a comfort in that. Rocky takes a lot of abuse. Rambo gives back all the abuse with interest.
People often misinterpret what the Rambo character is all about. He's not a mad killer. As a matter of fact, he doesn't like to kill. Furthermore, he hates the fact that he knows how to kill so well. Rambo really doesn't like himself. He has no sense of "macho" or "false bravado". Rambo tries to get away from his violent past, and keeps getting drawn back into it. I think John Rambo is basically a decent guy. I'd be comfortable hanging around the guy; I think you could drink a beer with him. He's not mental. Rambo is just very disenchanted with the way his life has played out.
The first three movies shows a definite growth in the character of Rambo. He's at his most mild in the first movie and doesn't kill any person (he does, however, kill three vicious dogs). Psychologically, he's also at his most disturbed. This is the only time we know Rambo to have Vietnam flashbacks. In the second movie, Rambo is mentally a bit more together. However, he's also more violent. By the third movie, Rambo is very violent, but he's mentally at his most stable and has even developed a sense of humor. By the time "Rambo III" reached its final frames, we see that Rambo has learned to loosen up a bit.
If you study the first three movies you'll notice that Rambo's hair gets longer in each film, he gets more buff, and his knife gets bigger. The overall point of the original trilogy is that the more Rambo accepts his violent nature, the more he finds himself at peace. It's a strange concept to take in, but it works for Rambo.
The fourth film, "Rambo" (2007), was made years after the original trilogy. In some ways, it continues the series. In other ways, this film is like a new beginning. Richard Crenna was dead by then, so this film has no Colonel Troutman. Crenna was an important part of the first three films, and there's a definite loss, but this film compensates for it. In "Rambo III", we see that Rambo is starting to loosen up and is becoming a happier person. In this movie, there is a regression in Rambo's character. He's withdrawn from the world, and still seems to be angry with humanity. It's never touched on, but we can assume Rambo has become more cynical because he's a bit older. I also think he's mad because he's alone. Troutman is gone, and he has no one else save for an estranged father back in America.
"Rambo" is also different for the fact that it's way, way violent; far more violent than the previous three films. I can see why some people wouldn't like this movie as much as the first three, but it does show that Rambo has wholly accepted his violent past and can turn it on and off like a switch. Mentally and emotionally, he seems to be fine with violence. In that regard, this film does follow the character's personal journey.
Following the formula set in the first three films, Rambo is more buff, and his knife has now transformed into a big ol' machete. Unlike the first three films, however, his hair has been shortened to about shoulder length like it was in "Rambo: First Blood Part II" (1985). I think this was done to show that Rambo is still pretty wild, but he's learned to tone himself down. What I really like about this movie is that he comes to realize how precious life really is and finally decides to stop being mad at America and the rest of the world. In the last few moments of the film, we see that Rambo has returned home to visit his estranged father.
John Rambo is an interesting character to follow from film to film. I believe that's why Rambo has become such a beloved franchise. We want to see Rambo win every fight, and we want to see him improve as a person.
In some ways, Rambo is similar to Stallone's other major movie hero Rocky. Both are underdogs; both are nice guys until they're pushed. However, we KNOW Rambo is going to win any fight. There's a comfort in that. Rocky takes a lot of abuse. Rambo gives back all the abuse with interest.
People often misinterpret what the Rambo character is all about. He's not a mad killer. As a matter of fact, he doesn't like to kill. Furthermore, he hates the fact that he knows how to kill so well. Rambo really doesn't like himself. He has no sense of "macho" or "false bravado". Rambo tries to get away from his violent past, and keeps getting drawn back into it. I think John Rambo is basically a decent guy. I'd be comfortable hanging around the guy; I think you could drink a beer with him. He's not mental. Rambo is just very disenchanted with the way his life has played out.
The first three movies shows a definite growth in the character of Rambo. He's at his most mild in the first movie and doesn't kill any person (he does, however, kill three vicious dogs). Psychologically, he's also at his most disturbed. This is the only time we know Rambo to have Vietnam flashbacks. In the second movie, Rambo is mentally a bit more together. However, he's also more violent. By the third movie, Rambo is very violent, but he's mentally at his most stable and has even developed a sense of humor. By the time "Rambo III" reached its final frames, we see that Rambo has learned to loosen up a bit.
If you study the first three movies you'll notice that Rambo's hair gets longer in each film, he gets more buff, and his knife gets bigger. The overall point of the original trilogy is that the more Rambo accepts his violent nature, the more he finds himself at peace. It's a strange concept to take in, but it works for Rambo.
The fourth film, "Rambo" (2007), was made years after the original trilogy. In some ways, it continues the series. In other ways, this film is like a new beginning. Richard Crenna was dead by then, so this film has no Colonel Troutman. Crenna was an important part of the first three films, and there's a definite loss, but this film compensates for it. In "Rambo III", we see that Rambo is starting to loosen up and is becoming a happier person. In this movie, there is a regression in Rambo's character. He's withdrawn from the world, and still seems to be angry with humanity. It's never touched on, but we can assume Rambo has become more cynical because he's a bit older. I also think he's mad because he's alone. Troutman is gone, and he has no one else save for an estranged father back in America.
"Rambo" is also different for the fact that it's way, way violent; far more violent than the previous three films. I can see why some people wouldn't like this movie as much as the first three, but it does show that Rambo has wholly accepted his violent past and can turn it on and off like a switch. Mentally and emotionally, he seems to be fine with violence. In that regard, this film does follow the character's personal journey.
Following the formula set in the first three films, Rambo is more buff, and his knife has now transformed into a big ol' machete. Unlike the first three films, however, his hair has been shortened to about shoulder length like it was in "Rambo: First Blood Part II" (1985). I think this was done to show that Rambo is still pretty wild, but he's learned to tone himself down. What I really like about this movie is that he comes to realize how precious life really is and finally decides to stop being mad at America and the rest of the world. In the last few moments of the film, we see that Rambo has returned home to visit his estranged father.
John Rambo is an interesting character to follow from film to film. I believe that's why Rambo has become such a beloved franchise. We want to see Rambo win every fight, and we want to see him improve as a person.
All four films! Outstanding, with tons of extras!
1. First Blood
(1982): This was a different kind of action picture for
the time, and it's still unique. "Rambo" changed the face of
action movies. James Bond was always slick and stylish; Dirty
Harry was dramatic. Rambo was the first time an action movie was
truly wild, fast and furious. You have to see this film before
you can really
understand why things are like they are in the successive films.
The movie opens with John Rambo as a nice guy, despite the fact that he was in some real heavy action in Vietnam. Back in America, he journeys to see one of his war buddies who turns out to be dead. That's bad enough, but he's not letting it get to him. Then a meathead small-town sheriff (Brian Dennehy) hassles Rambo to a point where it drives him mad. Then what was a small skirmish turns into a huge manhunt, and the blood really flies. If only they'd ease up on Rambo so he'd cool down, but no, the a**hole sheriff just keeps pushing it. Then at the very end when Rambo has a nervous breakdown before he's sent to prison...it's just too painful. He relates the stories of how he saw his friends die grisly deaths and how his own countrymen give him no respect for all he's been through. The only happy part about the ending is that Rambo is still in perfect health while all his enemies are either dead or seriously crippled. The sheriff, by the way, isn't killed directly, but is very severely injured. He probably dies of his wounds at a later date. We're not told.
I guess what I don't like about this movie is the fact that Americans are fighting an American. That's just not right. I like the next two movies better when the enemies are foreign and a bit clearer to make out. Other than that, this is a wonderful action film with a strong, social meaning. Vietnam vets are still treated disrespectfully today. This should be changed.
Cast:
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo
Richard Crenna as Col. Sam Trautman
Brian Dennehy as Sheriff Will Teasle
Fun Facts:
2. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985): THIS is the first "real" Rambo movie as far as I'm concerned. He's perenially mad and always on the brink of snapping. Rambo's been hardened by the ways of the world and prison didn't exactly make him any nicer. Yes, Rambo's in prison at the very beginning of this movie. Colonel Troutman (Richard Crenna), who is most responsible for Rambo being taken in alive did everything he could to avoid Rambo being put in prison. In order to be let out of prison, Rambo has to perform a serious mission. I won't give all the details to those who haven't seen it, but he's double-crossed. After returning to Vietnam and saving the POWs, Rambo returns to the States where Troutman is now being held prisoner by the bad men and takes them all out. Then Rambo, still feeling dissed by his country, walks away to who knows where.
This is the movie where Rambo inherits his famous necklace.
Cast:
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo
Richard Crenna as Col. Sam Trautman
3. Rambo III (1988): Rambo's in Thailand at the beginning of this, probably the most memorable of all the Rambo films. Troutman finds him, in desperate need of his assistance. Rambo's been shat on more times than he can remember for all his services, so he initially refuses. But when he learns that his friend Troutman is kidnapped, he gets more serious than ever and ventures to rescue him. Rambo winds up in Afghanistan, and the enemies are Russian. He befriends the Afghani people, especially an impressionable young boy, and rescues Troutman while killing all the enemies.
In a strange way, Rambo learns to loosen up by the end of this movie. He gives his famous knife to the young boy and it's almost like he's saying goodbye to war. Like he's finally come to peace with the world.
Cast:
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo
Richard Crenna as Col. Sam Trautman
4. Rambo (2007): A lot of people, myself included, thought this was an unusual title for what is actually the fourth "Rambo" film. A lot of great title ideas had been passed around before they simply settled on "Rambo". Why not "Rambo IV"? While not a reboot of the series in any way, it is very much the start of a new series of Rambo films. This particular movie is way more violent than any of the previous films. Some viewers find this very disturbing. I must admit I find some of the violence hard to watch. However, the story forgives the violence. This movie really paints a picture of just how gritty and gruesome war can really be. In that regard, you can watch this movie and know, "That's just the way it is." What's really cool about this movie is that when pushed, Rambo becomes far more violent than the whole army of Burmese tyrants. I don't think they needed to show so much gore, but it did help build on Rambo's character. We know now that he hates violence, but accepts it as reality, and comes to realize how precious life really is. By the end of the film, he's finally done with being mad at America and mankind and we see him return home to his long, lost father. What happens next?
Technically-speaking, the action of this movie is incredible! There aren't enough words to express just how well the action and effects were done. The huge-bomb-in-the-jungle explosion sequence is breath-taking, but I'd have to say my all-time favorite kick-a** moment is the finale where Rambo is on the gun turret. Quite frankly, I've never seen a shoot-em-up sequence done with as much totality. I'd have to say no one get out his aggressions like Rambo. I was also happy with the dialogue. There were a lot of quotable moments, particularly from Rambo. If you check out the deleted scenes on the DVD release, Rambo says some things that are very poignant and should have been left in the film.
"Rambo", although a good continuation of the series, is clearly a new chapter in Rambo's saga. Trautman is gone. He isn't mentioned, although we see past footage in a nightmare sequence. In the first three films, Trautman was a very important character; he was half of the successful formula. Now Rambo must forge in a new direction. He makes new allies and enemies, and his own persona has to change. The progression of Rambo's character is most interesting, and this film is further proof that each and every entry in the series is truly unique.
Cast:
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo
Rambo facts:
* His hair gets a bit longer in every movie, to symbolize that he's a bit wilder and more hardened.
* Rambo has a different big knife in every movie. The knives, however, get bigger with each movie, once again to show us how much meaner he's become. The blades and handles become longer and wider. For instance:
First Blood Knife-- 14" long overall. 9" blade.
Rambo: First Blood Part II Knife-- 15 3/8" long overall. 10" blade.
Rambo III Knife-- 16" long overall. 11" blade.
The movie opens with John Rambo as a nice guy, despite the fact that he was in some real heavy action in Vietnam. Back in America, he journeys to see one of his war buddies who turns out to be dead. That's bad enough, but he's not letting it get to him. Then a meathead small-town sheriff (Brian Dennehy) hassles Rambo to a point where it drives him mad. Then what was a small skirmish turns into a huge manhunt, and the blood really flies. If only they'd ease up on Rambo so he'd cool down, but no, the a**hole sheriff just keeps pushing it. Then at the very end when Rambo has a nervous breakdown before he's sent to prison...it's just too painful. He relates the stories of how he saw his friends die grisly deaths and how his own countrymen give him no respect for all he's been through. The only happy part about the ending is that Rambo is still in perfect health while all his enemies are either dead or seriously crippled. The sheriff, by the way, isn't killed directly, but is very severely injured. He probably dies of his wounds at a later date. We're not told.
I guess what I don't like about this movie is the fact that Americans are fighting an American. That's just not right. I like the next two movies better when the enemies are foreign and a bit clearer to make out. Other than that, this is a wonderful action film with a strong, social meaning. Vietnam vets are still treated disrespectfully today. This should be changed.
Cast:
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo
Richard Crenna as Col. Sam Trautman
Brian Dennehy as Sheriff Will Teasle
Fun Facts:
- Stallone has revealed in interviews that "First Blood" is his favorite of the Rambo films.
- The original choice for Trautman was Kirk Douglas. When it was discovered that Douglas was unworkable due to creative differences, he dropped out and Richard Crenna was offered the part. Movie magic was made!
- In the "First Blood" novel (1972), the character of Rambo was killed by Trautman. Stallone HATED this ending. An alternate ending of Rambo's death exists, despite the fact that Stallone NEVER wanted Rambo to get killed. When it was proven that audiences hated this ending, the more agreeable ending of Rambo being taken into custody was filmed instead. Had Rambo died in the film, it would have killed off a very successful franchise.
- In the novel, author David Morrell did not want to have Rambo or Teasle be the definite good guy/bad guy. He wanted the lines to be a bit blurred. In the screenplay, it was clearly reworked that Rambo was the hero.
- The novel of "First Blood"
had Rambo as much more of a mental case. In the book, Rambo
killed 18 people. In this movie, he didn't kill any person.
Rambo was clearly more of a good guy in the film version.
2. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985): THIS is the first "real" Rambo movie as far as I'm concerned. He's perenially mad and always on the brink of snapping. Rambo's been hardened by the ways of the world and prison didn't exactly make him any nicer. Yes, Rambo's in prison at the very beginning of this movie. Colonel Troutman (Richard Crenna), who is most responsible for Rambo being taken in alive did everything he could to avoid Rambo being put in prison. In order to be let out of prison, Rambo has to perform a serious mission. I won't give all the details to those who haven't seen it, but he's double-crossed. After returning to Vietnam and saving the POWs, Rambo returns to the States where Troutman is now being held prisoner by the bad men and takes them all out. Then Rambo, still feeling dissed by his country, walks away to who knows where.
This is the movie where Rambo inherits his famous necklace.
Cast:
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo
Richard Crenna as Col. Sam Trautman
3. Rambo III (1988): Rambo's in Thailand at the beginning of this, probably the most memorable of all the Rambo films. Troutman finds him, in desperate need of his assistance. Rambo's been shat on more times than he can remember for all his services, so he initially refuses. But when he learns that his friend Troutman is kidnapped, he gets more serious than ever and ventures to rescue him. Rambo winds up in Afghanistan, and the enemies are Russian. He befriends the Afghani people, especially an impressionable young boy, and rescues Troutman while killing all the enemies.
In a strange way, Rambo learns to loosen up by the end of this movie. He gives his famous knife to the young boy and it's almost like he's saying goodbye to war. Like he's finally come to peace with the world.
Cast:
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo
Richard Crenna as Col. Sam Trautman
4. Rambo (2007): A lot of people, myself included, thought this was an unusual title for what is actually the fourth "Rambo" film. A lot of great title ideas had been passed around before they simply settled on "Rambo". Why not "Rambo IV"? While not a reboot of the series in any way, it is very much the start of a new series of Rambo films. This particular movie is way more violent than any of the previous films. Some viewers find this very disturbing. I must admit I find some of the violence hard to watch. However, the story forgives the violence. This movie really paints a picture of just how gritty and gruesome war can really be. In that regard, you can watch this movie and know, "That's just the way it is." What's really cool about this movie is that when pushed, Rambo becomes far more violent than the whole army of Burmese tyrants. I don't think they needed to show so much gore, but it did help build on Rambo's character. We know now that he hates violence, but accepts it as reality, and comes to realize how precious life really is. By the end of the film, he's finally done with being mad at America and mankind and we see him return home to his long, lost father. What happens next?
Technically-speaking, the action of this movie is incredible! There aren't enough words to express just how well the action and effects were done. The huge-bomb-in-the-jungle explosion sequence is breath-taking, but I'd have to say my all-time favorite kick-a** moment is the finale where Rambo is on the gun turret. Quite frankly, I've never seen a shoot-em-up sequence done with as much totality. I'd have to say no one get out his aggressions like Rambo. I was also happy with the dialogue. There were a lot of quotable moments, particularly from Rambo. If you check out the deleted scenes on the DVD release, Rambo says some things that are very poignant and should have been left in the film.
"Rambo", although a good continuation of the series, is clearly a new chapter in Rambo's saga. Trautman is gone. He isn't mentioned, although we see past footage in a nightmare sequence. In the first three films, Trautman was a very important character; he was half of the successful formula. Now Rambo must forge in a new direction. He makes new allies and enemies, and his own persona has to change. The progression of Rambo's character is most interesting, and this film is further proof that each and every entry in the series is truly unique.
Cast:
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo
Rambo facts:
* His hair gets a bit longer in every movie, to symbolize that he's a bit wilder and more hardened.
* Rambo has a different big knife in every movie. The knives, however, get bigger with each movie, once again to show us how much meaner he's become. The blades and handles become longer and wider. For instance:
First Blood Knife-- 14" long overall. 9" blade.
Rambo: First Blood Part II Knife-- 15 3/8" long overall. 10" blade.
Rambo III Knife-- 16" long overall. 11" blade.