Rating: 
Summary: First Blood Rambo is Best of Series
Review: In "First Blood" Sylvester Stallone is John Rambo a wandering ex-Green Beret looking for a former Vietnam buddy in a small hostile town. Rambo is unjustly harassed and arrested by over zealous Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy). When Rambo is pushed to the limit he strikes back and single handedly beats up several officers in route to an escape into the surrounding hills.Now that Rambo is back in his element things get interesting as a member of Teasle's posse unwittingly draws "First Blood" (hence the title) unleashing the wrath that is Rambo! The subsequent hoopla and bombast that accompanied the remaining two installments to the series really overshadow the quality of "First Blood." Stallone is at his monosyllabic best with a screenplay that keeps the dialogue down and revs the action up. Veteran action director Ted Kotcheff expertly handles the key set piece of the film that shows Rambo deftly ambushing several unsuspecting victims with such precision that none of them is fatally wounded. Finally Rambo comes face to face with his accuser Sheriff Teasle to issue an ultimatum that actually does more to up the stakes rather then cool the situation down. Rambo's former commanding officer Trautmen (Richard Crenna) is brought in for advice but instead issues his own declaration when he tells Sheriff Teasle that if he continues to pursue Rambo he better have a lot of body bags. "First Blood" is really a study in wills and the stubbornness not to know when to back down. Sheriff Teasle is not able to admit that he is over matched and Rambo uses the injustice he has suffered both in the small town and in Vietnam as a reason to let his fury rage on an unsuspecting populace. Recent films like the disappointing "The Hunted" would have done well to mimic the terse sensibilities that served "First Blood" so well.
Rating:
Summary: The Legend Begins
Review: This 1982 film introduced the character "John Rambo", and was followed by other films that portrayed a powerful but misunderstood superhero. Rambo is arrested for walking through a small town, but makes his escape against great odds. He flees into the wilderness, Sheriff Teasel's men in hot pursuit. [Does this remind you of some early Hitchcock films?] The many forces combined against one man prove unequal. ["A Fistful of Dollars" or "Yojimbo"?] Like some Hitchcock films, the visuals are used more than dialog for the story. Most of the film is devoted to the hunt for Rambo in the cold, rainy forest. Rambo eludes his pursuers, the hunted becomes the hunter. The dead and wounded are brought out of the wilderness. The forces against Rambo are escalated, yet success eludes them. Colonel Trautmann, who trained Rambo to be the best killing machine, shows up to confront the Sheriff, and attempts to end the conflict by a political solution ("let him go, get him later"). The burning gas station echoes that scene in "The Birds", a film about Nature taking revenge. Shooting into electrical transformers creates a blackout that is all too familiar. The explosions and fires are another disaster. Does the ending with the Colonel remind you of Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men"? While Rambo walks away, the rest of the story is left to your imagination. The military trains its guard dogs to be vicious, and to obey only their handler. When the handler leaves the service, his dog is destroyed; it has outlived its usefulness. This film is important as an example of propaganda in the movies. A psychotic drifter who kills police and National Guardsmen is portrayed as a hero! Could this happen in real life? Does the failure of the hunt for Rambo echo the Vietnam war? Does the attack on the town portend future terrorism?
Rating: 
Summary: Action to the max!
Review: What can anybody say about Rambo? This movie started a cult following that lives on today. While the actions of Rambo may be unbelievable, this film is extremely important for veterans because it was the groundbreaker in addressing the issue of discrimination of veterans. This movie is not far off base in regards to the welcome that so many of us veterans have faced when we came home - or traveled through small towns. Everybody wants to pick on the "tough military man" (or woman) to "see how tough he really is." And in the end, everybody suffers for it. This movie should be in every American home. Folks should use it as a learning tool for how not to treat a veteran. I commend the writer for producing this script. We needed it. Thanks.
Rating:
Summary: A newfound appreciation for the movie
Review: For years, I had stayed away from the RAMBO series. I thought they were nothing but senseless violence. However, the story of John Rambo was quite poignant. You really felt his emotions as he faces the bigotry of hick policeman in a hick town. Best of all, the DVD extras were few, but of high quality. I liked the audio commentary being the original author, and how certain changes had to be made. Even the documentary added to the overall movie experience. I could not recommend this DVD more highly.
Rating: 
Summary: Guy flick
Review: But which guy? He must be caught and punished. But seriously, the director knows how to keep a story moving and Stallone's sympathetic (if over-acted) performance helps but when his character says "let it go, or I'll give you a war you won't believe", THE END should have come up on the screen. A nice little 45 minute movie ending satisfactorily. Unfortunately, the film goes on and a man in a grey overcoat and silly beret shows up with a pair of water skis and a rubber shark. This toe curlingly cheesy performance ends with one of the most embarrassing moments in film history. "Don't do it, Rambo!" Yells the afore-mentioned Colonel. Indeed, John, don't waste your bullets on Brian Dennehey, whose rather a good actor. Aim it where it counts. The man is destined to get you into more mischief anyway. Meanwhile, back at the ranch....(what's left of it.)
Rating:
Summary: I'll give you a war you won't believe!
Review: I remember seeing this movie on HBO as a kid after my parents went to bed early one night. It left its mark on me. As I've grown older I've come to love this film. I read the book it was based on and although it's different (ie, Rambo dies in the end by the hand of his mentor Trautman,his escape by dirt bike actually takes place with him being naked and having to supply himself from local mountain men, he's also more of a hippie in the novel whereas in the film he's a "full blooded combat soldier"), but that isn't such a bad thing.
I really think that critics don't enough credit to Stallone for his performance in this film especially when it pertains to the final scene between Rambo and Trautman where he breaks down emotionally and recounts all of the horrors of war he has seen first hand and how special he was in Nam, but as a civilian he can't get a job parking cars. The desperation and pain he portrays as he practically begs to be forgiven for becoming a killing machine is like a son asking to be forgiven by his father.
I've spoken with a lot of vets at Veteran's Hospitals and VFW's over the years as a volunteer and they always mention that in my conversations with them that this film was step in the healing process to some of them and their families. That it helped them come to as what Col. Trautman calls "Full Circle".
One of the best extras that I can think of is actually a commentary by the author David Morrell. It helps to explain a lot of the details that usually are glossed over in action films and makes the experience more emotionally exciting.
Rating:
Summary: Rambo: First Blood - Special Edition DVD
Review: While I do appreciate getting both Full & Widescreen versions of this film in the twin-disk package, the lack of any meaningful extras brings the the rating for this DVD set down considerably. That, along with the fact that there are no English subtitles available for the largest buying-base for this title, English speaking AMERICANS. Oh well, I suppose I'll have to wait for the "Criterion Collection" for the wanted extras. :>) Rating: Performance(5), Special Edition DVD(3)
Rating:
Summary: "Nothing is over! Nothing! You just don't turn it off!"
Review: The film centers on John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), a vietnam vet and Congressional Medal of Honer winner, who has gone from a Green Beret to a drifter upon his return from 'nam. He has recieved the same harsh treatment by people who, if they went to Vietnam with Rambo, would understand the whole thing better, and know what they were talking about. After trying to visit a war buddy, and finding out that he recently died from Agent Orange, he tries to pass through the small town of Hope, Oregon and is given trouble by sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy), who, after Ram,bo tries to re-enter town after Teasle drops him off at the city limits, arrests him for vagrancy. Leaving Rambo to the deputies, one of them who takes delight in abusing him, he is beaten, sprayed with a fire hose, and nearly shaved - dry, which would really hurt, by the way. These incidents trigger his 'nam memories, and he escapes, heading for the woods. Teasle takes a posse into the woods in pursuit, and they all end up injured, with one dead due to his own stupidity and no fault of Rambo's. After the battle has been on for a while, the government sends Sam Trautman (Richard Crenna), the colonel who trained Rambo and his unit, to try and get Rambo to surrender. When he won't give up, he tells Teasle that he needs one thing when he deals with Rambo: "a good supply of body bags". This special edition DVD from Artisan has a lot of goodies, plus great sound and video. The extras start with a commentary by the novel's writer David Morrell, who, among other things, tells the differences between the book and the movie (which includes the ending, which I will not spoil here. Plus he did the novelizations of the two sequels, which have the characterization that was needed.). He is a good speaker, and the track is fun to listen to. Next up is a documentary entitled DRAWING FIRST BLOOD: CREATING JOHN RAMBO, where the creators of the movie talk about the adaptation of the novel to the screen. Then the usual production notes, cast and crew information, and trailers. all in all, not a bad package. I also recommend the novel and the soundtrack for the excellent closing credits song and Jerry Goldsmith score. FIRST BLOOD
(1982, R)
John J. Rambo: Sylvester Stallone
Col. Sam Trautman: Richard Crenna
Sheriff Will Teasle: Brian Dennehy
Capt. Dave Kern: Bill McKinney
Deputy Sgt. Arthur Galt: Jack Starrett
Deputy Balford: Michael Talbott Director: Ted Kotcheff
Writers: David Morrell (novel), Michael Kozoll, Will Sackheim, Sylvester Stallone MOVIE: 5
VIDEO: 5
AUDIO: 5
EXTRAS: 5
MENUS: 5
OVERALL: 5
Rating:
Summary: One man wrecking crew
Review: A former green beret (Stallone) journeys into the northwest on foot to find an old army buddy who he finds has passed away. He walks into the nearest town to get a bite to eat but the sheriff (Brian Dennehy) doesn't want his kind around. He gives Rambo a ride out of town and informs him the next town is only 30 miles away. Rambo doesn't have to take this. He turns around and heads back but Dennehy sees him doubling back, arrests him and takes him to the police station. He gets fingerprinted, then they decide he needs a shave and this is where all the trouble starts. He has flashbacks from Vietnam and sees the Vietcong holding a razor to his face and goes berserk. He gets away, steals a motorcycle and heads for the mountains. Dennehy goes after him but ends up crawling out of his vehicle while it sits perched upside down. Now the manhunt begins, only the odds are in Rambo's favor ("those green berets, they're real badasses"). Rambo is skilled in every facet of guerilla warfare. Six cops with rifles and three dogs just aren't enough. Before it's all over Rambo has caused enough destruction to declare the place a disaster area. And it all started because some cop (Dennehy)wouldn't let him stop in town and get something to eat ("Why you pushin' me"?). Plenty of action. Dennehy plays his usual part; hard nosed and stubborn. It's his way or no way, regardless of the consequences. David Caruso is a deputy in this movie and Richard Crenna is Rambo's former Colonel. Acted well by all.
Rating:
Summary: A true classic of the action genre.
Review: Slyvester Stallone stars as " John Rambo", a former green beret drifter who gets bothered by a local cop, he defends himself in Oregon mountains by arming himself with weapons. Very entertaining and thrilling yet unique action movie that introduced Rambo to audiences making two great sequels, merchandise and a Animated series. The movie is also a poltical statement and a great paranoid fantasy brought on to the screen with great acting and thunderous action.
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