Rented this from a Redbox DVD machine for $1 and enjoyed the hell out of it.
One thing I learned from this movie is...
You don't F**K with John Rambo!
This film tries to close the saga of Rambo that we saw in the 80's.
It's more hardcore and ten times more brutal than any of the previous Rambo films.
(The blood and gore flowed heavily during the action/fight scenes)
This time around, Rambo is scratching out a living in Thailand capturing snakes when a group of white Christian missionaries and doctors approach him asking if he'll give them a boat ride into war-torn Burma.
At first he refuses, but then is eventually convinced by the only woman in the group.
For some reason, he's moved by what she says to him and seems to act as her personal protector.
He drops them off and heads back downriver to his home. (he makes a pit-stop along the way
)
The group is taken by surprise and captured by the
evil Burmese Army.
When I say that the enemy Burmese troops are evil, I'm not kidding!
They amuse themselves by tossing landmines into shallow water and forcing groups of people to walk through it at gunpoint. They take bets on who will survive and who won't. And then they shoot anyone who makes it through.
They invade heavily populated villages and shoot everyone.
One soldier puts his boot down on the head of a 4-5 year old boy who is lying on the ground and stabs a bayonet into him. (you see the blade penetrating his body)
These evil Burmese soldiers shoot men, women and children. They torch people with flamethrowers and lay waste to entire villages. They don't care.
If you have a faint heart, you'll be disturbed by some of the graphic scenes in this film.
Rambo is contacted in person by a representative of the missionaries' church and is told that mercenaries have been hired to help bring them out.
He needs Rambo to ferry the mercs into hostile Burmese territory to help rescue the captured Christians.
The mercs are a ragtag group and at first, one of them particularly dislikes Rambo.
They eventually come to respect him when he shows them what he can do with his bow and arrows.
If you thought Rambo was good with a bow in First Blood Part 2, you have to see him here. He single handedly dispatches 5-6 enemy soldiers in less than 30 seconds!
Eventually, Rambo and the mercs make their way to the enemy camp and rescue the captives.
When the enemy realize what has happened, an extended foot pursuit begins throughout the jungle.
I won't reveal anything more other than the fact that some of the most brutal and bloody combat takes place while Rambo and Co. try to escape.
The Final Fight (MAJOR SPOILER SCENE!!)
This film is more like
First Blood Part 2. When you watch Rambo in the jungle and see him and the mercs infiltrate the enemy camp, you can't help but think of the second film.
This movie also attempts and succeeds at bringing Rambo's story full circle. (something Stallone mentions in the DVD commentary)
Remember how we first met John Rambo in the movie
First Blood?
He was walking along a road wearing his green military jacket and carrying a pack over his shoulder.
In the end of this movie, he's doing just that... Only he's a bit older. (it was one scene I'll never forget)
I wouldn't dream of telling you exactly where he's going, but let's just say that we hope he's come to terms with all that has happened to him throughout the years. (I think he has)
I rate this film 3.5 out of 4 stars.
I only wish it had been a half hour longer because it seems to end too quickly.
If you like the character of Rambo and love brutal violence, you'll like this film!
I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Have you seen Rambo?
If so, what did you think?
