Review of Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) by Luke B — 28 Jun 2010
OOOOH! So this is where my preconceptions of Rambo evolved from. Everything that was right about the first film is shat upon, in what can only be described as a warning against ego. Stallone was obviously upset by his conflicted and complex character in the original, so here Rambo has become a heroic God.
No excuses were made for his actions in the first, but now every action is justified. With the help of James Cameron, we now have some clear villains. The American government, some seedy Vietnamese savages, and those crafty Russians.
Each of these nationalities is personified by easy to spot caricatures. No subtlety, no debate, just unadulterated propaganda bullshit. With lines as painful as "You are not expendable", and "We want our country to love us, as we love it.
" This is a painful exercise in hilarity. The action is there, but every kill is a glorified moment that is used to make us cheer. There was a cruel darkness to the original, but here we see Rambo not atoning for his sins, but justifying his actions with bullets and bloodshed.
If only the original had kept the ending where Rambo committed suicide, we wouldn't have to suffer such incompetent and misguided writing.
This review of Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) was written by Luke B on 28 Jun 2010.
Rambo: First Blood Part II has generally received positive reviews.
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