Bad to the Bone 'Rambo'

The story is similar--John Rambo is hiding in Thailand to avoid his troubled past with U.S. authorities. He's trying to live a peaceful life. But, when a group of Christian missionaries ask for his help, he ends up taking them into Bhurma--a veritable hell on earth--per their request. He then, of course, has to save them. The church sponsoring the missionaries acquire the help of ruthless mercenaries to extract the prisoners, but Rambo has to save them as well. What results is a violent, bloody conflict. Limbs fly off, holes get blown in people, people get literally blown into pieces. Crazy.

As in most movies of this type, you have no good feelings for the bad guys, and you can't wait for Rambo to do his thing to them (and he does). This movie is almost 'Saving Private Ryan' kind of violent--somewhat different from the more polished Rambo flicks of the '80's. It's grittier, with more camera shake, and much bloodier.

Stallone basically reinvents the Rambo character (I think much like he did with Rocky Balboa, but I didn't see it). In this movie, he doesn't use a fancy pre-fabbed bowie knife to kill his enemies, but fabricates a machete for himself out of a piece of steel. No fancy helicopters or crazy artillery--just uses whatever he finds. He does still have the classic bow and arrow, though. What's very cool is a flashback scene with images from all three previous movies.

Overall, a great action film that might tap your vengeful side just a little bit. Maybe next he'll make a new 'Cliffhanger'!