Review of First Blood (1982) by Robert S — 09 Nov 2013

Extremely intense and very exciting, this is one of the best action movies ever. It is has larger than life action but still exhibits tasteful restraint and does not get obnoxiously carried away. John Rambo is noticeably withdrawn, but he still has humanistic qualities that build empathy and make him easily identifiable.

Sylvester Stallone plays the part perfectly and is more than just a meathead. He displays strong emotion and conveys a great deal of substance in his physical and facial acting. When he opens up in the memorable the final scene, his frustration and emotion are powerful.

As an action movie it is top notch, but what elevates it to the next level is how it confronts the viewer with a poignant social issue and ethical dilemma. This movie raises questions about what happens to a human mind when it is trained to kill and experiences unspeakably atrocities during war.

Furthermore, this movie points out how the psychological scars of war can make it very difficult to integrate back in with normal society. It shows how brave soldiers, particularly during the Vietnam War, are often condemned, criticized, and ostracized when they return, from war rather than being greeted with compassion, respect, and gratitude.