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50 Reviews
Powerful and mesmerizing!!!
Twenty years after the last film in the series, John Rambo (SYLVESTER STALLONE) has retreated to northern Thailand, where he's running a longboat on the Salween River. On the nearby Thai-Burma (Myanmar) border, the world's longest-running civil war, the Burmese-Karen conflict, rages into its 60th year. But Rambo, who lives a solitary, simple life in the mountains and jungles fishing and catching poisonous snakes to sell, has long given up fighting, even as medics, mercenaries, rebels and peace workers pass by on their way to the war-torn region.
That all changes when a group of human rights missionaries search out the "American river guide" John Rambo. When Sarah (JULIE BENZ) and Michael Bennett (PAUL SCHULZE) approach him, they explain that since last year's trek to the refugee camps, the Burmese military has laid landmines along the road, making it too dangerous for overland travel. They ask Rambo to guide them up the Salween and drop them off, so they can deliver medical supplies and food to the Karen tribe. After initially refusing to cross into Burma, Rambo takes them, dropping off Sarah, Michael and the aid workers...
Less than two weeks later, pastor Arthur Marsh (KEN HOWARD) finds Rambo and tells him the aid workers did not return and the embassies have not helped locate them. He tells Rambo he's mortgaged his home and raised money from his congregation to hire mercenaries to get the missionaries, who are being held captive by the Burmese army. Although the United States military trained him to be a lethal super soldier in Vietnam, decades later Rambo's reluctance for violence and conflict are palpable, his scars faded, yet visible. However, the lone warrior knows what he must do...
Sylvester Stallone writes, directs and stars as RAMBO, filmed on location in and around Chiang Mai, Thailand. Also starring are Julie Benz (Dexter), Paul Schulze (The Sopranos), Matthew Marsden (Resident Evil: Extinction, Black Hawk Down), Graham McTavish (HBO's Rome), Rey Gallegos (American Wedding), Tim Kang ("Third Watch"), Jake La Botz (Ghost World), Maung Maung Khin and Ken Howard. RAMBO is produced by Avi Lerner, Kevin King Templeton and John Thompson. Executive producers Randall Emmett, George Furla. Executive Producers Jon Feltheimer, Peter Block, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein. Executive Producers Andreas Thiesmeyer, Josef Lautenschlager. Executive Producers Danny Dimbort, Boaz Davidson, Trevor ShortRead full review...
Rambo (Blu-ray Disc, 2008, 2-Disc Set - Special Edition
Was surprised that this latest Rambo flick is actually (in my opinion, anyway) the best of the series. Written by Art Monterastelli and Sylvester Stallone, and directed by Sylvester Stallone, the movie resurrects the John Rambo character as a loner trying (and failing) to forget his past in the jungles of Thailand. The plot revolves around Rambo reluctantly agreeing to help in an attempt to rescue religious missionaries taken captive in Burma (odd bit of inaccurate history here, as Burma has been officially known as Myanmar since 1989).
Stallone does not have a whole lot of dialogue in the movie, and what he does have, he pretty much mumbles through it all. Which, in an odd way, adds a little extra layer to the Rambo character. The guy is in his 60's, after all, and it makes sense that he's slowing down in some ways.
While the first half of the movie moves at a fairly slow pace, the second half is an explosion of ultra-violence that is probably the most intense portrayal of combat in film since Saving Private Ryan. Much better than the typical fare for the war movie fans out there, even if they're not fans of the Rambo series of films to begin with.
The production values, cinematography, stunts and special effects are much improved over the earlier series of films. Not to take away from the original First Blood film, which is a great story and a great action film, but this newest film has a more gritty, realistic feel to it that is owed in a large part to Stallone's direction and the fine camera work of cinematographer Glen MacPherson. This movie really shines in these respects on Blu-Ray Disc, by the way, which I strongly suggest over regular DVD - it's much more enjoyable.
In summary, obviously this is not an art-house film or something that gets attention at Cannes or Sundance - it is pure action movie and it follows the formula of all the films in the Rambo series, which is to say, the "Leave me alone/You've pushed me too far/Get even with all bad guys in the most violent way possible.." formula. But for escapist fun for those who enjoy action/combat or war films, one can certainly do a lot worse out there in that respect, and it's actually pretty neat that Sylvester Stallone, even at 60-something years old, can pull off this kind of muscle-bound action hero stuff (not to mention directing the movie as well) - he is in amazing shape for an old guy!Read full review...
Should be required viewing for all Americans
RAMBO (2008) should be mandatory viewing for all citizens in the United States ?
Why do I say this ?
We as a society have had it so good for so long that too many of our people take our quality of life for granted today and thus sit back with apathy as warning signs pop up in front of us everyday that the America we loved and respected and was once great.... is eroding away from within every day.
It's depressing to see this once great nation rot from within like the Roman Empire did before us.
Along these lines, too many American citizens today know almost nothing about the world beyond AMERICAN IDOL and GREYS ANATOMY TV shows.
No lie....... when my wife and I were leaving the theatre after seeing RAMBO (2008) a group of 30-something adults were walking in front of us.....
They commented to each other.....
"Is Burma a real country or did they make that up for the movie ?"
YIKES.... we let people like this actually vote !
Many people focus only on the violence in this film and perhaps miss the larger symbolism that Stallone often interjects into his films.
Rambo, like many of us in our late 40s and older see people in power making the same mistakes, people becoming less thoughtful and considerate of others and basically see the damage caused by open door immigration and unchecked urban growth.
It all seems to prove the old adage to be more true than ever........
"Its a shame man's moral and social development fails to keep pace with his technological advances".
RAMBO reminds us of the type of integrity and determination and self-analysis real heroes and leaders go thru in life.
Unfortunately we see little of these noble characteristics in either cinema or real-life anymore.
The fact that a 61 year old action hero can outshine and ourperform today's modern "heroes" like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt on the screen is also a parrallel commentary on where our society is today.
We don't have many John Waynes, Charles Bronsons, Clint Eastwoods, or Stallones in our society today.
Instead we have limp "dish-rags" and decadent morals and wimpbaits who like to cry, whine, gripe and complain about things but never want to step up and actually fix or solve any problems.
Where have all the leaders gone ?
We certainly don't have any running for President in 2008 for example.Read full review...
Rambo Blu-ray
probably a more realistic approach to the Rambo genre. there were some parts in the movie that was, of course, sometimes hard to believe but not too bad. the movie shows Stallone in a more rugged and older look but you can tell he can still keep his Rambo character the same. a lot more violent than the previous Rambo movies, as most people have stated, but it adds a sense of realistic value to the movie. the acting and cast of characters were a pretty good support to the film and the brief history lesson about the country of Burma and its status as to why Rambo has to deal with war also fuels the reasons behind the movie. i really thought this movie had a better feel than the last one (Rambo III) which i thought was the most weakest of the 4 films. if you want an adventure with a lot of violence and action this is a great film to check out!Read full review...
Rambo (2008) - Yo Adrian, Pass the 50 cal.!
You know what you're getting from Stallone in the Rambo films - intense carnage and bloodshed, but this film takes it to new levels, only interrupted by a subplot of rescuing captured missionaries. The film states this takes place in Burma. Burma has been the Union of Myanmar since 1989! Perhaps this point was either shrewd or foolish estimating the intelligence of its intended audience. Stallone has made the cold, brooding mercenary into an art form, bordering on parody. At 91 minutes, you might find it too long or too short based on your view of cathartic violence. I believe the body count was higher than the number of movie goers in the seats. Worth a look for what it is!Read full review...
Brutal and Savage, Yet True Picture Of What Is...
... Happening in Burma...
This was a film that my wife did not want to see on the Big Screen.....
I figured I would wait till hit the DVD format, as this series is not as exciting for me as Stallone's Rocky Series. I had to see his last Rocky entry in the Theater.
This Film was really brutal, savage and everything that making a new Rambo film would probably be, given the current state of film making...
However, the DVD xtras gave the subject matter of Burma a chance to reflect on what is going on in that country.
The xtra features were very informative, and actually showed that film itself wasn't as brutal or savage as what is actually happening in that country.
The film is a good spotlight on what the world should see is happening in Burma. However, it is not one I would want to repeatedly view.
I'll stick with the Rocky series to re-watch Stallone in what I like him in best.Read full review...
This Movie is Ridiculous (In All the Good Ways...)!
I was nervous about this movie when I went to go see it but I was blown away, almost literally, by the great story and how it brought such a terrible conflict, that most people have never heard of, to life. This is probably one of the most realistically violent movies I've ever seen and I think the violence serves a purpose because it's what these people live with every day and I know that's why Sly pushed to leave the fil As-Is and not cut anything out and get the R rating and not the NC-17. Great movie and with the Blu Ray it's like you were there in the middle of the fight!Read full review...
Rambo, 2008..blue-ray
The latest Rambo is really quite good. The only problem I have with it is the unbelieveable blood scenes. More direct when showing people being killed, like throat cutting and blood gushing out, unlike any previous Rambo films. Definately not for young children. This film goes beyond any of Stallone's previous Rambo films. Also, he is beginning to look his age,60, but still very muscular in appearance. All in all, a really good movie for those who like Rambo films and I am one of them. Thanks for allowing me to write my thoughts. PS: The Blu-ray version is awesome.........Read full review...
Rambo Special Edition
While this is an excellent movie, the Blu-Ray version leaves me lacking. I have the Oppo bd-83 and a Sony XBR 52. I've seen several smoke your shorts visuals with Blu-Ray, but this is NOT one of them. The picture isn't any sharper than DVD. Plus the the format leaves black bars on the top and bottom of the screen. Even the smallest zoom seems to distort the picture. Very dissapointed with the visuals. The surround is ok, but not great.
Bottom line here: Don't waste your money on Blu-Ray here. Buy the DVD instead.Read full review...
Rambo (2008)
I saw this movie at the Movies when it first came out. I was skeptical because of Stallone's age and him trying to make a "young" action hero film, but it was written very well and an older Rambo's character was played well by Stallone. This was an excellent movie and provided plenty of action and special forces tactics to keep me fully engaged throughout the movie. I had to buy it and add it to my Rambo collection. A must have for Rambo fans of all ages!Read full review...