Review of First Blood (1982) by Harry W — 21 Jan 2014

First Blood is an indisputable post-war thriller masterpiece and features some of Sylvester Stallone's best efforts ever as an actor.

First Blood doesn't open by setting the iconic character John Rambo is an action hero, because although that's what his name is synonymous with, in First Blood he has yet to turn into an iconic man of violence. First Blood opens by characterising him merely as a human being trying to find an old friend, and instantly Sylvester Stallone evokes a sense of complete humanity.

First Blood quickly turns into an expose of police corruption and the unfair treatment of Vietnam War veterans in society. It contrasts who really fights to protect us and who fights against what they don't like. It asks who the real cold blooded killer is, and it doesn't answer it. It leaves audiences to do that with implications. One scene which contrasts this really well is the chase sequence between John Rambo and Sheriff Will Teasle at the start of the film, because the Police Sheriff is driving shakily in a police car while the former Vietnam War Veteran is acting quickly on a motorbike in an intense mood. It shows the resourcefulness of each figure and just what they can do with what resources they have, and so it's easy to make a comparison in this scene.

The script in First Blood is great. The film doesn't need much dialogue to initiate its powerful intensity, but it gives insight into the the character John Rambo through the perspectives of the surrounding characters, especially Colonel Sam Trautman. He has more knowledge of John Rambo than John Rambo has of himself. But the most defining line of the film, spoke by John Rambo himself happens when he pills a knife on Will Teasle out in the woods. He proclaims "In town you're the law, out here it's me. Don't push it! Don't push it or I'll give you a war you won't believe". This line defines law as being about power, and how power causes war. It reveals the damaging power that the law has when put into the wrong hands, the same kind of damage that can happen when a gun is put into the hands of John Rambo.

Really, First Blood is one of the most intense films I've ever seen. The intensity goes on for practically all of the film, and so it's an exhilarating experience as well as a mean visual one due to strong cinematography, quick witted editing and convincing blood effects. But above all, the musical score is powerful and memorable in First Blood, and it helps to ensure a powerfully intense atmosphere.

And to assist the powerful atmosphere and just build the credibility of the film that one step further, the acting in First Blood is flawless.

Sylvester Stallone has few lines in First Blood, and his performance is very reliant on his physical capabilities as an actor, and his movements are intense as are his facial expressions which really convey that of a psychologically unhinged madman. But his defining moment is his soliloquy at the end of First Blood. It makes use of some of his most intense line delivery ever on film, and it's incredibly powerful and intimidating until it gradually deteriorates into an expression of sadness. It's really Sylvester Stallone's greatest performance since Rocky and the second-best of his career, second to Rocky.

Brian Dennehy is a great antagonist in First Blood because the audience's disdain for him doesn't just come from his physical actions, but his attitude towards John Rambo. He has the lust for bloody vengeance directed at John Rambo which is inhumane, and that's what makes him a powerful villain. He's the most inhumane character of the film, including a cold-blooded killer like John Rambo, and he plays it well.

Richard Crenna is also a powerful presence because he strongly portrays an Army Colonel who talks with a passionate knowledge about John Rambo which brings serious insight into him. He provides insight into another character, and we learn a lot about John Rambo from the way Richard Crenna speaks of him, vocally and with body language. Richard Crenna gets the performance greatly.

So benefitting from a simple story told excellently, an incredible consistent rate of intensity and a powerful lead effort from Sylvester Stallone, First Blood is an absolute masterpiece which is definitely one of the greatest films ever made in the history of cinema.