Review of Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) by Mark K — 28 Sep 2012

Loud and brash, Rambo: First Blood Part II does away with the elements that made the first the winning blend of action (misunderstood veteran rebels against mistreatment by police) it was. Although one can see why putting John Rambo back in the situation that made him the circumstantial victim he was in the first place would be a progression for action in terms of sequels, it's not such a pay-off.

One can mindlessly cheer along when Rambo kills the post-War Vietnamese imprisoners and their Soviet allies, but there's nothing challenging or too original here. The film has an unnecessarily convoluted title for the simpletons it presumably caters to--although the film isn't entirely unlikable either, including if you read Rambo's final stand as speaking for remaining American POWs a commentary on a real-life political issue.