Pub.lished Movie Reviews
First Blood (1982)
At first glance, Sylvester Stallone does not appear to be a smart man.
Still, don't judge a book by its cover. Stallone was the genius behind "Rocky".
In "First Blood", Sheriff Will Teasle makes two assumptions when he first meets John Rambo.
First, he assumes that Rambo is trouble. Second, he assumes that Rambo is manageable trouble.
The Sheriff is only partially right. Rambo is trouble, but Rambo is not manageable trouble.
And you know what happens when you make assumptions. They make an ass out of you and me.
Or, in this case, of Rambo and the Sheriff. By the end of the movie, neither Rambo nor the Sheriff end up looking that great.
The original book featured a lot of Rambo's inner dialogue. The director originally followed the book quite closely.
When Sylvester Stallone watched the rough cut, he hated his own character's dialogue, and insisted on cutting most of it. This is an extremely unusual request coming from an actor but was absolutely the right decision.
Stallone's stoic face says more than he could with mere words.
While you might think this movie is a classic action flick, with no real need for dialogue, (especially if you have seen the other Rambo movies,) "First Blood" isn't about Rambo.
"First Blood" is about alienation and disillusionment of Vietnam vets, struggling to reintegrate into early 70's society. "First Blood" is about the countercultural clash with conservative groups during that period of time in American history.
Okay, "First Blood" is also about Rambo kicking ass. Let's not kid ourselves. But the point is, there is more to this particular movie than just Rambo kicking ass.
In addition to Rambo the badass, who kicks ass, we also see Rambo's vulnerable side, where the emotional depths from the book peek through.
"Don't push it or I'll give you a war you won't believe."
- You are not fond of explicit graphic violence
- You are younger than the recommended age rating of 18
- War and military themes upset you
- Intense action and psychological trauma is not your preference
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "First Blood" (1982)? I mean, it's the first Rambo movie, but there's no mention of anyone named Rambo in the title. It’s like calling the first Rocky movie "First Punch" and forgetting about the guy who's throwing it!
And what's with Stallone's dialogue? I think he has maybe 20 lines in the entire movie. It's like the script was written on a napkin during lunch. He spends more time grunting and groaning than speaking. If I wanted that, I'd just listen to my Uncle Morty after Thanksgiving dinner!
Batman Begins (2005)
"Batman Begins" shares with "First Blood" the theme of a protagonist returning home after a long absence. In "Batman Begins", this takes the form of Bruce Wayne's return to Gotham City where he becomes Batman. The film explores Batman's origins and features intense action and dramatic moments, similar to "First Blood".
Die Hard (1988)If you enjoyed "First Blood", you'll likely appreciate "Die Hard". Like "First Blood", this movie is also an action thriller featuring a lone hero against numerous enemies. The film stars Bruce Willis as John McClane, a New York police officer taking on a group of highly organized criminals in a Los Angeles skyscraper.
Rambo (2008):A logical follow-up to "First Blood", "Rambo" is the fourth film in the series and sees the character well past his prime but no less deadly when a group of missionaries require his unique skill set in Myanmar. The themes that were present in "First Blood" are even more pronounced and explored in this film.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015):While perhaps not as grounded as "First Blood", "Mad Max: Fury Road" is another action-oriented film where the protagonist grapples with a deadly environment and enemies. The intense action sequences and survivalist themes may appeal to a fan of "First Blood". Plus, the character of Max shares similarities with Rambo, both being reluctant heroes with a tragic past.
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