Stallone dons the red bandana once again
Fans find newest Rambo flick reminiscent of action-adventure films of old
3.5 of 4 stars
Posted on January 28, 2008
With the success of his most recent movie, “Rocky Balboa,” Sylvester Stallone returns to play one of his most beloved roles. However, “Rambo” is not just a desperate attempt to have Stallone tie on a red bandana again; it actually has meaning and relevancy.
Deep in the woods of Thailand, John Rambo lives a life of retirement catching snakes for money. When approached by Christian-aid workers, Rambo takes them up the Salween River to a small Burmese village. They attempt to bring medical aid and religion to the Burmese people. Rambo warns the aid workers about the war that is going on but they insist on going to Burma, which leads them into captivity by the Burmese army. Rambo then has to come to their rescue.
It’s been 26 years since the nowclassic “First Blood” captivated audiences. Two more sequels were released after that, making sure that John Rambo would be etched in people’s minds. Stallone, now 61, still looks good as John Rambo. He’s recieved a lot of bad press for trying to hang on to his former self, but he looks better than ever.
Stallone also wrote and directed the fourth and final installment in the series. He understands the rhythm of an action movie. From start to finish this movie is non-stop killing. It’s reminiscent of the days when Stallone, Schwarzenegger and Willis ruled the box office and the action-adventure genre. The only thing that is different this time around is that “Rambo” is more brutal than its predecessor.
This movie is based on real life events. In Burma there has been civil war for more than 50 years. Stallone sought to write about an issue that doesn’t get the attention that it should. Granted, in real life Rambo doesn’t come to the rescue, but the Burmese people are in great danger every day with no end in sight.
