Today’s quick review: Rambo: First Blood Part II. Vietnam veteran John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is doing hard labor in prison when his old commanding officer, Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna), comes to him with an offer: a presidential pardon in exchange for one last mission. To win his freedom, Rambo must infiltrate a Vietnamese POW camp and bring back proof that American prisoners are still being held there.
Rambo: First Blood Part II is a gritty action movie set in the jungles of Vietnam. Sylvester Stallone reprises his role as Rambo, a haunted Green Beret with a fearsome set of skills. First Blood Part II takes the unusual blend of action and drama featured in the original and tips the balance in favor of action. The sequel has even more gun-toting, stealth-killing combat, but it sacrifices nuance to get it.
First Blood Part II takes the kid gloves off. Where First Blood was a tragic, escalating conflict on American soil, the sequel takes place in Vietnam. The cunning, nonlethal strategies Rambo used in the first film are replaced by the deadly techniques they were adapted from. John Rambo is in his element: sneaking through the jungle, surviving against impossible odds, and killing everyone who stands in his way.
As a result, Part II has even more action than the original. The combat has the right mixture of tension and excitement. Rambo’s tactics are impressive and even vaguely plausible. The action is backed by similar dramatic themes as the first film: the scars of war and the betrayal of American troops. However, the sequel tells its story with a bluntness that the first film was careful to avoid. It’s a solid action movie but lacking as a drama.
Rambo: First Blood Part II is a strong choice for any action fan. Those who were drawn to the story of the first film may dislike the sequel, but those who want even more guerrilla-style action will have a good time. Skip it if you disliike violence or prefer your action with a bit more humor. For another classic action movie with a less serious tone, check out Die Hard. For a direct parody, check out Hot Shots! Part Deux.
6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid action lacking the nuance of the first film.