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10,000 B.C. Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
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Rambo
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MPAA RATING: R for strong graphic bloody violence, sexual assaults, grisly images and language
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz, Paul Schulze, Matthew Marsden, Graham McTavish, Rey Gallegos, Tim Kang, and Jake LaBotz
Twenty years after the last film in the series, John Rambo has retreated to northern Thailand, where he's running a longboat on the Salween River. On the nearby Thai-Burma border, the world's longest-running civil war, the Burmese-Karen conflict, rages into its 60th year. But Rambo, who lives a solitary, simple life in the mountains and jungles fishing and catching poisonous snakes to sell, has long given up fighting, even as medics, mercenaries, rebels and peace workers pass by on their way to the war-torn region. That all changes when missionaries are captured by the Burmese Army. Pastor Arthur Marsh turns to Rambo for help. Although the United States military trained him to be a lethal super soldier in Vietnam, decades later Rambo's reluctance for violence and conflict are palpable, his scars faded, yet visible. However, the lone warrior knows what he must do. (Lionsgate)
| GENRE(S): | Action | Drama | Suspense/Thriller |
| WRITTEN BY: | Sylvester Stallone |
| DIRECTED BY: | Sylvester Stallone |
| RELEASE DATE: |
DVD: May 27, 2008 Theatrical: January 25, 2008 |
| RUNNING TIME: | 93 minutes, Color |
| ORIGIN: | USA / Germany |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this movie is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 224 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Trenton D. gave it a10:
The movie did have a slower start, but it fits perfectly with all of the other Rambos. The ending was perfect because he finally came "full circle" like it was discussed in Rambo III. Good movie and full of action.
Zinegata gave it an8:
What the critics don't get - and why they keep giving it bad reviews - is that at its core Rambo is not an action flick. It just looks like one - although to be fair that's also part of its appeal. Instead, the new Rambo is really a war movie. It has more in common with Saving Private Ryan or Black Hawk Down than something like Die Hard or Terminator. It's a film about soldiers - and what they have to endure to make sure the rest of us can sleep safe at night. (In fact, listen carefully to the music near the end of the movie. There are several pieces that are very similar the to music played at the beginning of Saving Private Ryan) As Rambo himself said to the mercenaries, "This is what we do. This is who we are. Live for nothing, or die for something." And there's nothing wrong with that.
Andy C. gave it an8:
“Life for nothing, or die for something.” -John Rambo Jason Bourne? Give me a break. This is Rambo: a repugnant romp with Burmese politics, fueled by weary cynicism and ex-Green Beret killing machine with a machete, that is, admittedly, enough to make even the 80’s action junkie vomit from sheer nostalgic excitement. The new film --which, strangely, has no sign of a “IV” in its title-- reprises Stallone’s role living in the Thai jungle, where he captures poisonous snakes and dabbles in blacksmithing, basically just to pass the time and pay the rent. The inevitability of Rambo coming out of retirement is motivated by a group of Christian aid workers being captured by the Burmese army shortly after they hired him to ferry them upriver. Sure they’re a little annoying with their attempts at making a show of sanctity in the face of everyone’s favorite muscle bound warrior; however, much like Trautman in Rambo III, they’re necessary in driving the plot and making Rambo accept that killing is really the only thing he does well. And, boy, does he do it well. With the movie having a relatively short running time (80 minutes minus the credits), the action is packed with flying limbs, beheadings, sexual assaults on women, and human-munching-pigs. There’s even a scene where our hero rips out a guy’s larynx with his bare hands. Nice. Undoubtedly, actions speak louder than words, and Rambo was never really one for much dialogue anyway. What Sly cares about is grossness, and this is gorier, meaner, and uglier than anything he has been affiliated with before. Mr Stallone (an ode to the man), appropriately develops his melancholy character John Rambo as the quiet hero, aged significantly, yet with the core character elements of the previous movies. We may never really know much about the depth of Rambo’s character, other than him being skeptical about his missions (well, wouldn’t you be?), having a tendency to grunt a lot, and when he’s pushed “killing’s as easy as breathing.” This film could have potentially moved in a variety of different directions; however, Stallone modestly builds from the elements of a traditional action film, and stays true to the genre. Presented are magnificent examples of muscular tone (Stallone is still in immaculate shape at 61), drizzled with manly sweat and glistening with the new blood of his enemies. There's even a nice bookend to First Blood in the final few minutes. It took me a while to come to terms with what I had just seen. Not only was this Sylvester Stallone’s explosive, unapologetic portrayal of the Burmese Civil War, but it was the year 2008, and to my own disbelief I had just walked out of the premier of a new Rambo movie. Give Stallone credit, he knows what his fans want, and is willing to give. It appears to me that the guy’s heart is in what he does, with a desire to forward the strengths and success of the previous movies in the franchise (which is a lot more than can be said for the team of morons behind the Alien vs Predator movies recently.) All 80’s action junkies need a fix. I think I just found mine.
Aquin D. gave it a10:
Superb action, very fast and a decent plot.
J Roth gave it a7:
It could be as good as "First Blood", but the need to show flying limbs and "strong lines" it's way down. I like many things on this movie, and surely is in par with Rambo II. Maybe it's a cross genre, a homage or Sly only wanted to show all his fury and hatred. For an action movie, maybe we couldn't ask for more. But man, this is not Commando. This is not Delta Force. This is John Rambo, and he deserve some respect... since Rambo III, actually. Sometimes the violence is necessary. Sometimes, we want to and we need to see it happening to feel a little confort while the bad guys are dying. But sometimes, just sometimes, we want to imagine, and Sly doesn't open this window for us. Let's hope in the next episode of Rambo, Sly forget about the excess, think about better lines, and gives us what John Rambo wants to tell.
Shaun C gave it a10:
Excellent film....Yes its gory, and yes there are scenes where children get killed...But these things happen over there. That was what Stallone tried to get across, the horrifying things that happen that the general world doesnt know about. And as for Rambo not having much to say, he never did in any of his films. In First Blood (the original), Rambo was a quiet person who just wanted to be left alone until he was pushed too far by the local law enforcement. He's the same in this, just wants his quiet life until he is again forced into fighting to save peoples lives. Excellent film, blood thirsty but what do people think real warfare is, a slap round the face. My girlfriend loved it, she hates violent films but understood what the film was trying to get across.
Robert L gave it a10:
Does exactly what it says on the tin! Classical 80s action flick with up-to-date special effects and sound. A brutal gore-fest of exuberant proportions, but it makes for one hell of a roller-coaster ride. Forget the lack of deep character development and insight into the human condition, that's not what this film ever promised to be about.
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