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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
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
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
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
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!
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