Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

The two problems I have with this highly intelligent experience is that John Hambone keeps leading the enemy soldiers in pursuit through populated areas. He is putting innocent Vietnamese villagers at risk from gunfire. Why did he not consider the safety of the innocent villagers? He also killed a chicken. _What gave him the right to slaughter the chicken?_ Other than these minor gripes - this highly intelligent film will please most intellectual viewers seeking something more than a basic, gung ho action film.

Not Expendable! Rambo: First Blood Part II is directed by George Pan Cosmatos and collectively written by David Morrell, Kevin Jarre (characters), Sylvester Stallone and James Cameron. It stars Stallone, Richard Crenna, Charles Napier, Steven Berkoff, Julia Nickson and Martin Kove. Music is by Jerry Goldsmith and cinematography by Jack Cardiff. The sequel to 1982's First Blood, this finds Vietnam Veteran John Rambo released from prison on proviso he undertakes a special mission back into Vietnam to find proof of American POWs still being illegally held captive there... OK! It's all very implausible and cartoon like, and of course now it's very un-PC, pulsing with stereotypes and indicative of the Reagan era 1980s. It also lacks the character depth of the first film, reducing Rambo, the scarred and bitter war veteran at the iconic core of the franchise, to merely being a robotic killing machine. However, it's an action fan's dream, where even as the flag waving patriotic fervour hangs heavy, it's an explosive pic that thrills and excites from first frame till last. 7.5/10

_**Comic book action flick about Rambo going back to Vietnam**_ The imprisoned Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is offered a mission by Col. Trautman (Richard Crenna) to go back to his old stomping grounds in ’Nam to see if there are any living American POWs. Charles Napier, Martin Kove, Julia Nickson and Steven Berkoff are included in the peripheral cast. “Rambo: First Blood Part II” (1985) contains what you would want from a Rambo flick: A muscular protagonist, a one-man-army scenario, a noble cause and loads of action, particular of the jungle warfare variety. It also has a quality cast, fabulous locations and a moving score. Unfortunately it’s marred by a glaring comic book vibe that spurs chuckles throughout, which is disappointing for fans of the outstanding first film. However, if you can acclimate, “Rambo II” can be enjoyed as a serious adventure, albeit thoroughly comic booky. It’s entertaining for what it is, but it’s my least favorite of the franchise. The next movie (1988) is more-of-the-same, albeit set in Afghanistan. The film runs 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot in Mexico (Guerrero, Sierra Madre del Sur de Chiapas & Sierra Madre del Sur de Oaxaca). GRADE: B-/C+

Confined during Uncle Sam's pleasure, "John Rambo" (Sylvester Stallone) is offered a chance of freedom by his former CO "Trautman" (Richard Crenna) but that means his return to Vietnam where he must try to rescue some POWs. It's not exactly a sanctioned operation, so he knows that it's risky - he will have little support from his own side and can expect a great deal of peril as the jungle, the VC and brutal megalomanic "Podovsky" (Steven Berkoff) stand in his way. Although it is quite well stitched together, and it doesn't hang about, I found the jeopardy of this film completely lacking. The usually reliable Berkoff is just too much of an ham right from the start of his sparing appearances and neither Crenna nor Charles Napier's "Murdock" add much to the mix either. The predictable ending as our agile, bullet-proof strongman strives to free his colleagues and deal with a bit of betrayal/duplicity from within his own camp - though accompanied by plenty of stealth, rocket-fire, pyrotechnics and explosions - is all just a bit jaded. The photography and action scenes do benefit from a big screen, if you can, but neither the acting nor the really stilted dialogue are going to have you gripped. Sorry - not a patch on the original film.