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Haven't we been here before? There's a definite sense of déjà vu to Rambo, both in terms of its completely unoriginal plot and the fact that it's the second time in as many years that Sylvester Stallone has attempted to resurrect one of his iconic screen roles. Rocky Balboa was generally seen as a success that made up at least for Rocky V and finished the franchise on a high for most fans. Similarly, the Rambo series peaked (artistically, if not commercially) with the first instalment First Blood. Rambo only found himself in the title when Rambo: First Blood Part II rolled around in 1985, and it was an entirely different film – a Reaganite fantasy in which America gets to win the Vietnam War and violence solves all problems. Still, it was popular, bombastic fun. (Rambo III is best forgotten, as it saw the All-American hero actually helping out the Taliban in Afghanistan.) Rambo - formerly known as Rambo IV, John Rambo, Rambo: In the Serpent's Eye, Rambo: Blood River and any number of B-movie alternatives - is more in the mould of the action-packed sequels than the first surprisingly sombre and low-key affair, but it is probably the best of the follow-ups.
Stallone seems keen to be taken seriously these days, and he sets the tone with an opening montage of clips of real atrocities, focusing on Burma, where it tells us the world's longest civil war, lasting for 60 years, is still taking place. The opening burst of action, setting up the cardboard cut-out villains, gives a taste of what will come later, but first, there's a copy-and-paste plot to set up. Rambo is again living a live of relative tranquillity in some middle-of-nowhere jungle environs, and his peace is rudely interrupted by a group of aid workers who want to get upriver into Burma to help ease the suffering. Rambo's initially positive refusal to transport them quickly becomes an "Oh, alright then" after some mild persuasion. But, wouldn't you know it, no sooner has he dropped them off do they find themselves in all sorts of trouble. Lambs to the slaughter? Not if Johnny R. has anything to say about it.
The earnest tone of the early going is slightly at odds with the clear predictability and unabashed cliché on show, but it's satisfactory. Everyone really comes to see the action and it doesn't disappoint. Blood splatters, limbs fly, throats get ripped out, and 236 people snuff it (a Rambo record - there's 1 death in First Blood!). Thankfully, Stallone has the brains to realise that the one-man-army routine won't wash these days, especially at his age (61), and brings in a squad of ex-special forces types to help him out with the shooting. Other than an intensely annoying, overacting cockney (Graham McTavish), their presence is welcome. Stallone, who directs as well as stars, is unflinching with the violence, which is rare to see in this age of PG-13 blockbusters, resulting in action scenes than are undeniably satisfying, albeit perhaps on a very shallow level. It's also welcome to see a film that does many of the stunts like they used to be done, with actual stuntmen rather than CGI. Don't expect a deep character study, then, or much in the way of suspense (unlike the under-appreciated First Blood), but do expect plenty of noise and mayhem.
The summary
A machismo-fuelled adult-friendly action film, but hardly anything new. Rambo succeeds on a visceral level.
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