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RAMBO (2008) - REVIEW
May 18th 2008 19:05
PLOT
Well, the plot for any of the Rambo movies is easy to explain, since it's not even that important. Basically you get a war or conflict that manages to get Rambo personally involved, and if it's personal there's nothing stopping him.
This time it's the ongoing war in Burma. Some Christian aid workers are being kidnapped by the infantry unit, one of them being a kind woman named Sarah, and some mercenaries are sent to rescue them. They hire Rambo to take them there, as their "boat-man", but of course he soon takes on a bigger role fighting against seemingly impossible odds.
CRITIQUE
Even though most of us think of Rambo as a great breakthrough in its own genre when it first was made, few actually had or dared to have big expectations about it returning 20 years later. Luckily, Sylvester Stallone proved he can achieve that by releasing Rocky Balboa, the other cult character of his. It became good and one year later he got the same positive result with Rambo (previously titled John Rambo).
Sarah, the only female character in the movie, is very well played by Julie Benz, who Stallone supposedly chose since he enjoys the tv-show Dexter with her in it. A good choice mainly because she manages to be sympathetic from the first moment we see her, which is crucial since we don't get many shots at it later on.
As for Sylvester Stallone himself - Rambo is Rambo, he didn't forget. Probably because it's a part of himself, remember that he is also the writer this time around.
Of course it's not a perfect movie. After all, it isn't even supposed to be compared with anything but its own predecessors. The fact that the story is weak or that there's no real depth doesn't matter. What matters is it's one of the better if not the best Rambo. So far.
CONCLUSION
Like already said, it's hard to grade this, since you walk into the theatre expecting Rambo and not anything more or less. So, since you get Rambo, and what you expect, in complete proportions, there's not much to complain about. What needs to be said however is, and this is the classic disclaimer, do not attempt to watch it if you dislike blood, gore, war or anything violent. This is pretty much only those things. If you're ok with that, make sure to get or rent the DVD out May 27.
8/10
Watch the trailer of Rambo.
Read about Rambo V.
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