Rambo: First Blood
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Movie Reviews of Rambo: First Blood
Movie Review: Excellent sample of early 1980's film...
Summary: 5 Stars
The Rambo franchise began not as a mindless, flag-waving action saga, but as a thoughtful exploration of post-Vietnam America. Unfortunately, the second and third installments in the franchise were cheesy 80's action, which is how the character of John Rambo has been remembered; a cartoonish killing machine. Initially, Rambo was an innocent man, shocked by redneck local cops into reliving his Vietnam experience, and could not stop himself from reacting. Yet even so, Rambo knows right from wrong, prefering clear demonstrations of his military training in place of simply killing his enemies.In this first film, impression was far worse than truth; Rambo kills no one, and the only obvious death (and later, an implied death in a car crash), are not directly caused by anti-hero Rambo. However, the film was (and still is), accused of being flooded with violence and killing.
If you take a moment and think past the stunts and the action, Rambo's search for place in a country unwilling to acknowledge his sacrifices is a poignant and striking portrayal of what Vietnam vets really faced upon their return home. No one wanted to think about the war, and our vets were a painful reminder to a nation's fragile ego that we had lost.
In the 1980's, acceptance gradually dawned, and Vietnam became a popular subject for movies. The movies became a sort of national catharsis, allowing us to heal through fantasies, such as a Special Forces vet going back to 'Nam and killing a bunch of VC, freeing POWs, and taking revenge in a typically red, white, and blue fashion. The second Rambo film and Chuck Norris' "Missing in Action" series are typical of the war as portrayed by Hollywood in the 80's.
"First Blood" was one of the first films to deal with the scars of Vietnam intellegently. That's right; an intellegent action film about the effect of the Vietnam war. Unlike the book, the John Rambo of the film is not so much a psychotic killer as he is a deeply hurt and emotionally damaged human being. The final confrontation and Vietnam "speech" are a wonderful, moving, and thoughtful commentary on the travesty inflicted on our soldiers by a thoughtless American public.
The cinematography and direction are excellent, and Stallone gives the best performance of his career as the troubled veteran. Great locations and action highlight one of the most important mainstream films of the early 80's.
Movie Review: Stallone at his best!
Summary: 5 Stars
Don't let Rambo's reputation fool you. If your only familiarity with that name is from the press or it's use in modern lingo, you probably would have come to expect that "First Blood" is a mindless gore-fest. That couldn't be further from the truth.John Rambo is a Green Beret who was held in a POW camp in Nam. Having been brutally tortured there, he suffers from post-traumatic stress, which causes his encounter with a small town sheriff to go awry. Stallone portrays Rambo with the perfect mix of sensitivity and stoicism to make him both human and the warrior he was trained to be.
Rambo enters the little Pacific Northwestern town searching for an old war buddy whom he learns has died. After being arrested by Sheriff Teasle, horrible flashbacks of his POW experience send Rambo into a panic in which he violently attacks the police officers and flees. Teasle is determined to hunt him down, but his efforts are thwarted by Rambo's traps and war survival prowess. When Rambo's trainer, Trautman, appears on the scene, an intriguing dynamic develops between he and Teasle as they argue over Rambo's fate.
The characters are well-developed and well-acted, and the film makes some interesting statements about war. The violence, which is tame by today's standards, is used as a tool to tell the story without being gratuitous. This is one of the best of the classic '80's films and i highly recommend it to anyone who likes action movies with substance.
Movie Review: Action yes, emotional too!
Summary: 5 Stars
First Blood: First Artisan Entertainment has done and outstanding job bringing this to DVD. The wide-screen format changes this entire movie, if you have only seen it on the standard Pan & Scan on video you are missing out. Sound quality is also outstanding. However forget the documentary: A look back. Now about the movie: Why the hell to people say this movie is so violent! There is only one death caused in the movie (watch it and count for yourself)! This movie is full of action, but if you watch it and really think about who and what John Rambo is, you will find that this movie is emotional too. Just think of how isolated Rambo most feel with all his friends from the war dead. Then returning home to a country that judged and hating him for fighting in a war. So returned home a killing machine that can't hold down a job and is now a drifter. Trying to find an old war buddy. Then harassed and abused by the local sheriff deparment cause of the way he looks! He is also suffering from Post Dramatic Stress Disorder, which is why he snaps in the jail. Just watch the end of this movie 2 or 3 times when Rambo brakes down in front of the colonel. If you don't start to feel emotional then something is wrong with you. Read the book too!Movie Review: THEY DON'T MAKE MOVIES LIKE THIS ANYMORE!!
Summary: 5 Stars
What can I say, this movie rocks! from beginning to end,this movie hits you right in the gut. From the opening scene of John Rambo finding out his only surviving war buddy, succumbed to cancer to being badgered and tormented by the local sheriff!
The acting is superb and so is the action. This film has a very
realistic appeal to it with lots of good ideas and great camera work and not over produced! which also lacks in movies today, using over produced scenes w/computer graphics, poor acting and story lines! This film is under 1 1/2 hrs long, but there is more heart, action, and great acting that does not even compare to movies today that drag out over 3 hrs long!!
Artisan does an excellent job of putting out this movie, great widescreen edition and cool on screen menu w/ extras. What a difference compared to video tape. The surround sound is good too. What really would have made the DVD extra nice, if the sound was in 5.1 digital with better bass for explosions.
Aside from that I give this movie 4 1/2 stars!
Good job Artisan!
Movie Review: One of the best movies ever made
Summary: 5 Stars
Some people merely regard "First Blood" and the entire Rambo series as brainless, macho action movies. Nothing could be further from the truth. Though the first movie emphasizes it the most, John Rambo is a symbol of many brave men who fought for their country in the politician's war known as Vietnam. "First Blood" shows the reality of how many of the men were treated when they came home, and how it was often difficult to cope with the training and things they'd endured in the war. There's no sugar-coating in David Morrell's outstanding novel, or the movie itself. Rambo is targeted by biggotry from the beginning by town sheriff Will Teasle, played superbly by Brian Dennehy. When he fights back, it's the way the government trained him to: no holds barred and violent. When you watch "First Blood", try to look past the action for a second and see the human factor it portrays....a factor that is very real.