"Bring a good supply of body bags!"

I grew up in a world of media that had always portrayed/stereotyped this movie "Rambo" as a mindless commando romping through the woods killing people and blowing things up. Assuming that this false representation was factual, I never actually bothered to watch any of the Rambo movies until this past week, (I am twenty now). Well, I can confidently say that for the past twenty years, I have totally been missing out on a great movie! First Blood is a movie that is anything but some type-cast, muscle headed idiot slaughtering for sport like it has seemingly been made out to be. Perhaps that portrayal of Rambo was based on the sequels, which I have not seen. But I can say that First Blood is an action classic that everyone should see.

In First Blood, we meet the character John Rambo (Stallone)as he ventures into a small hick town to visit one of his war buddies from Vietnam. Upon discovering that his friend has passed on, he continues to wander through town until he is picked up by the sherriff(Brian Dennehy). Because the "Vietnam Vet turned drifter" persona is not one the sherriff wants in town, he takes John 30 miles past the town and insists that he not return. Well, Rambo disobeys and in turn is arrested, and while in custody is abused by the local police force. In a mind blowing display of physical prowess, Rambo overcomes the police and makes an escape.

Along the ensuing man hunt through the eerie forest scenery, we find that Rambo is not the blood-thirsty, machine gun toting maniac that pop culture has stereotyped him as. Instead, he is a highly trained Green Berret who is an absolute master in guerilla warfare, battle, and living off the land. He is a generally mild-mannered man until threatened, and sadly the events of the war continue to haunt him. He uses his skills to take down the entire police force that wronged him, and all the others who pursue him. We also meet his former Vietnam Officer in Command (Richard Crenna), who is convinced that Rambo will not be defeated by the authorities. He tries to reason with Rambo to come clean, but John keeps moving until the explosive climax of the film.

First Blood is an action packed, visually appealing, and well acted film that really shows the effects of war on a person. For as good as it is storywise, it also delivers plenty of action and thrills that will satisfy the most demanding movie-goers. I was not bored with First Blood for even a minute. This is definietly a flick with something to say, see it at all costs.

HIGHLY ENTERTAINING ACTION FILM! STALLONE VS THE KEYSTONE KOPS!

This is the first film in the Rambo series and is by far the best! Most people know what the Rambo character is all about, but for those of you who don't......In this entry Stallone's character Rambo is an ex army Green Beret who is wandering across the country in search of an old army buddy. He is not welcomed in the small town he comes to and is treated in the worst way by the town's police. Rambo strikes back and rages a one man war on the town and I'm sure before it is all over, they wish they had just let the guy get a little something to eat! Stallone really knows how to make you hate these moronic cops! Really well done and he has some good supporting characters in Brian Dennehy,Richard Crenna and a young David Carusso! This is Hollywood action and it is not completely believable, but not so unbelievable either. Compared to the sequels it is a masterpiece! The DVD transfer is excellent and it has some very interesting extras.

"We ain't huntin' him, he's huntin' us"

I remember seeing bits and pieces of the Rambo movies on TV as a kid, and after seeing the amazing new Rambo trailer, I had to go back and watch the original to get me in the mood for the new Rambo movie.

John Rambo is singled out by a prejudice cop when he is passing through a small town. Brian Dennehy escorts him out of town and then brings him to jail because Rambo doesn't want to leave. Rambo escapes and decides to go to war with the local police force. The police have no idea what they are getting in to. After 5 or so officers are quickly disposed of, the police retreat. Rambo's former superior comes to tell him he needs to give himself up, but Rambo still won't budge.

This is a strong portrayal of a man who has not fully recovered from his experiences in the Vietnam war, and when bad memories are brought back, a screw goes loose in Rambo's head. Now he has pretty much no choice but to fight the police, because he knows he didn't do anything wrong. Now that an army is after him, he kinda feels more comfortable than he did in every day life.

The action scenes are awesome. Very brutal and very well choreographed. Stallone's athletic skills look great and he gives the action a lot of life.

4/5

The DVD from Lions Gate has good picture quality. Other than minor scratches and a bit of grain, it is perfect. Sound is also good.

Special features include a commentary with Stallone and an alternate ending. I have the ulitmate edition, not the special edition.