Rambo

[Jord]

Rambo: written and directed by Sylvester Stallone
Certificate: 18
Running time: 90 minutes.

Saying that Sylvester Stallone's Rambo is a violent film would be an understatement. "Unexpectedly and incredibly violent" would be a more fitting term to describe it.

The storyline is deliberately basic and not meant to unfold. It is merely created to give a platform to the really concentrated area of the film - the carnage. First Blood Part IV is not for those who explicitly enjoy motion pictures with deep, serious premises, it was created purely for the hardcore fans of non-stop, thrilling action, and boy, does it deliver.

From decapitations, exploding bodies, corpses being eaten by pigs, and raped and bayonetted children, the film pushes the majority of entertainment taboos, but gets away with a fantastic thrill-ride of over-the-top gore and complete chaos.

The storyline of Rambo is that Sylvester Stallone's character, John Rambo, sets out on a mission to rescue a group of Christian Aid workers, who he briefly became aquainted with, from pirates in Burma. Tagging along with Sly are a group of mercenaries, including the cliche arrogant Brit who we hate, but eventually love as the film draws to a close.

The cinematography is not well devised thanks to the lack of lengthy and workable shots. Only the opening 30 minutes of the film contribute to the storyline, the following hour is all blood-stained destruction. The camerawork is shakey to match the ever-frantic pace of the film, and sometimes distorted, including a plethora of fast cuts, which at times are actually rather disorientating, and make you mentally re-run some of the scenes so that you can divulge what exactly they contained.

Fans of the previous three films in the First Blood saga will be pleased to know that his infamous bow makes a comeback.

This film is deserving of high praise not because it is something up there with recent instant classics such as the Coen brothers' No Country For Old Men, but for the fact that it completely delivers a perfect product to its desired audience - bloodthirsty action fans. You will not be disappointed if you fall into this generic pool. If you don't catch it in the cinema, it is a DVD must have for the collection of all those who love such depicted death and destruction.

So, grab a Coke, a bag of popcorn, a strong stomach, and a guilty pleasure for the word C U Next Tuesday. You're in for something wild with Rambo.

Misawa's rating: 8/10.

I would rate all 3 10/10 but thats just me

[Ivake]

I would rate all 3 10/10 but thats just me

There's 4 of them now.

[samsaBEAR]

i think this one is the best.
the first i thought was a stupid idea, and the second i wasnt too fond of either. the third was the first one i saw, and i enjoyed it. but it just doesnt compare with rambo 4.

[Nereo]

I was quite dissapointed when I watched this, there isn't much of a storyline it's just kill after kill

[rhythmGFX]

i thought it was a good film, not much of a storyline but still exciting.

[Ivake]

It was meant to be pure killing carnage, after recentely watching it.
Wow.

[Misawa]

i thought it was a good film, not much of a storyline but still exciting.

It wasn't meant to have a strong storyline, Stallone deliberately wanted to produce a non-stop thrilling film for hardcore action fans, e.g. Rambo fans basically.

Rambo: First Blood Part 3 is dire. In order of greatness, personally, it goes First Blood, Rambo, Rambo: First Blood Part 2, and finally Rambo: First Blood Part 3.