Yes people, my 80’s bingewatch is continuing. I don’t know what it is these days, but I seem to be living more in the past than in the present. Maybe I am actually experiencing a severe case of midlife crisis. Either that, or I am just getting old. For all you animelovers out there, and yes I am still one of them, rest assured there will be some animecontent coming out later this week. But for now, it’s time to revisit one of the greatest action heroes of all time: John Rambo. Portrayed by Sylvester Stallone, who I still consider to be one of best action stars to walk the face of this planet, Rambo is an icon and became a part of our culture. Just think of all the times his name has been mentioned in other movies or tv series. Together with Rocky, Rambo is just a terrific character that has captured the hearts and minds of action movielovers everywhere.
First Blood tells the story of the former Vietnam veteran John Rambo. At the beginning of the movie he is trying to get in touch with a former army buddy of his, with which he served in ‘Nam. He is shocked to find out his friend has died from cancer. Stricken with grief, Rambo sets out on foot not really caring where he ends up. Soon he arrives in a small town called Hope and comes across the local sheriff a man called Will Teasle. Now he really doesn’t take kindly to a stranger entering his quiet town, and firmly tells him to hit the road again. When John refuses, he is taken into custody even though he hasn’t done anything. But Will is about to find out that a war is going to take place in his small town. A war caused by a man named John Rambo. And when he is done, you can certainly count on one thing that will definitely be needed: a good supply of body bags….
Now if you have actually never heard of this movie, seriously where have you been? Just kidding here of course. Rambo is one of the 80’s best action films and I honestly can’t count the number of times that I have seen this movie. We could all argue about the amount of macho type characters and testosterone this movie contains (and it certainly does contain that, no argument there), but at the heart is a story about prejudice. Here we have a man that has been a credit to his country, awarded with countless awards, and he gets accosted by the local sheriff just because of the way he looks. Also it teaches us what war can really do to a man or a woman. I have never been in a war, nor do I hope to ever be in one, but only if you experienced those horrors can you really imagine what it must be like. There is a gutwrenching scene at the end of the movie where John cries his eyes out telling his former commanding officer about what happened to him in Vietnam. And it really is hard to watch this iron warrior break up like that. War, seriously what is it good for?
The performances in this film are excellent. Stallone was born to play this part, a role he would reprise three times after this movie. Even though he does some horrible things in this film, you get where his anger is coming from, and you certainly feel sympathy for his character. And that is all because of the humanity that Stallone brings with him through his acting. Sheriff Will Teasle is played by the highly underrated actor Brian Dennehy. Will is a dispacable man, but in the end you do feel for him, as through his ignorance he gets way more than he ever imagined would happen to his town. It’s a terrific role and one that Brian pulls off incredibly well. And last but not least we have Colonel Trautman, Rambo’s commanding officer in Vietnam, played by the sadly departed actor Richard Crenna. Trautman acts as Rambo’s father figure, and pretty much the only man that Rambo has respect for. Crenna does a terrific job in portraying this commanding role, and you would almost believe that he was a real soldier.
The review would not be complete without mentioning the amazing score of Jerry Goldsmith. It adds another layer to what is already a terrific movie, and the theme for Rambo is one that will stick in your head for the remainder of the day, whenever you hear it. This movie is now 35 years old, and you would think it was made yesterday. With some fabulous action scenes, great and very memorable characters, and a story that does also make you think about the futility of some things, this is 80’s action moviemaking at it’s best. It will probably not please everyone, but if you are an action adrenaline junkie and have yet to watch this one, you will be in for a treat. And otherwise it’s a great movie to revisit and to relive the golden 80’s.
I give Rambo:First Blood a 9 out of 10 score.
Rambo is so good. It’s my go to 80s movie (other than the Thing) when I just want to kick back and relax.
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Haha, the Thing is utterly fantastic as well. Such a great film. I honestly meant what I said, I have lost track of the amount of times that I have seen this film, but every time I see it, I enjoy it. It’s just terrific and as you Saya movie to just kick with in a lazy chair and a bag of crisps: life can’t get any better than that 😊
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I now want crisps and Rambo.
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I loved watching this wit my Dad. Oddly though, I’ve never seen any of the sequels.
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Well, the three sequels are quite different in tone and more action oriented. Part 2 is basically John trying to free a couple of prisoners from the jungle, and the third one sees him heading to Afghanistan to rescue colonel Trautman. Actionwise there is a lot to enjoy, but the story is pretty much not there. Still, I would recommend them too. The fourth one is absolutely brutal abd an R-rated movie. Blood and guts are flying everywhere there, and we see a Rambo that hasn’t really aged well apparently. Still, it was a great film, and a Tour the force for Stallone. All are great action films, but this first movie will forever be the best installment 😊
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Ah, tis often (though not always) the case that the of original shines brightest. I’m really not sure why I never got around to them.
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Well as is always the case with films (and the beauty of it quite honestly), they never go away, so there is always a chance to seem them again 😊
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great post man! I love your style
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Thank you so much for the kind words, really appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed it 😀
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Yes I did. I like your page too. I’m a new film blogger and hoping we can help each other out!
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I watched the sequel and never got around to watching this. I saw a small clip of that scene you mentioned where Rambo breaks down and that really put me off. Amazing what context can do.
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Even though the second movie certainly isn’t bad, it’s a completely different film than this first one. Part two (and three for that matter) are much more action oriented where this one really tries to tell a good story, and I have to say it succeeds in doing that. Highly recommend this one, hope that when you watch it in it’s entirety you are going to enjoy it 😊
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This film is one of my dad’s favourites. He used to talk about it all the time when I was a wee kiddo. Glad you enjoyed it. 😀
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Haha, yeah as mentioned I actually have lost track of the amount of times that I have seen this movie, but it is always a joy to rewatch it. Cool that this is one of your day’s favorites as well. He has great taste 😊
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I love the Rambo movies so much 😊😊 Still in my favourite action movies list. Such a great movie. Wonderful review dear x x
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Thank you very much 😀 Yes it’s movies like these that are pretty timeless and no matter how many times that you see them, they are always a joy to watch 😊
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Yes, so true 😊😊 I love movies like these. The best! x x
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Terrific guy.
https://ibb.co/nxMFCQ
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Lol, he certainly is 😊
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Yay! I love your throwback movie reviews 😊 They make me feel old lol, but are always really nostalgia. Great review!
I haven’t seen Sylvester Stallone in forever, makes me want to do some old school binge watching.
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Haha, well I feel old all the time, but am still young at heart so to speak lol 😂😂 But yes it’s always a lot of fun to revisit the classics, and Stallone certainly has quite a lot of them on his name. Still his new movies are fun too, like for instance the Expendables. Hmm…that one might fun to rewatch again as well 😊 Thanks for your kind words, appreciate it 😊
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The E. were ultra cool but he did way too many of them….
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Lmao! I think I’m going to have to borrow that phrase from you in the near future 😂
Oh right! I remember that one. I really need to go on an old movie binge sometime. I may just pick random actors/actresses I love(d) and backtrack to the movie that made me love them.
You’re welcome 😊
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Haven’t seen this either~
I know, you’re probably not even surprised by this point. Hollywood filsm came into my life kinda late and I lost interest in them after a few years so a lot of the classics remain unwatched.
All that aside, amazing review as always. If you are indeed having a midlife crisis, then at least there are some great blog posts coming out of it 😉
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Haha, thank you so much, comments like these really make my day. As for not having seen it, trust me I have missed out on so many classic movies myself it is al ost laughable. And don’t even get me started on anime lol 😂😂 The way I think of it: it’s always nice to eventually catch up with things and discover hidden gems 😊
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Heh, your comment on anime content reminds me of my own blog. I’ll often get distracted with games/movies and then realize that I haven’t posted anything for my anime followers.
Rambo is a great movie. The sequels got silly though, a bit like Rocky.
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Haha yeah: it’s a balancing act lol. I just have way too many hobbies and that’s why it’s hard to try and keep track with everything. But that’s what I realised when I wrote this review, time to get back to some anime too 😉
Yeah this is certainly the best part. The sequels has their charms ( I loved his bow with the explosive arrows for instance) but from a story point if view things certainly got pretty silly lol 😂
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I for one adore your 80’s reviews. So many great movies came from that decade and though I was born a decade later, I still find the movies ace.
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Haha, thank you. Yeah the 80’s will always be special to me. The list of movies that I loved from that time is almost too long. It’s great to revisit these classics from time to time. Really enjoy doing that 😊
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Visiting movies again can be so refreshing and wonderful. Memories come flooding back.
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Are there any other decades in cinema that stand out for you?
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Hmm, I guess the 90’s are pretty cool as well. There were certainly a lot of great movies released in that era as well 😊
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I would concur with that too and the 70’s.
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The 70’s most definitely also had another couple of amazing movies that were released back in those days. Sometimes I wish I could travel back in time 😀
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I too could do with a time machine sometimes.
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Well I’ve seen it twice so far. So I guess I’m on my way. Definitely a defining role for Sly!
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Haha…yeah, before you know it you will hit the same number of times I’ve seen it😂
But so true…it’s a great role. I’ve heard there are now plans to make a new Rocky movie. He just doesn’t let go 😊
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