Just got back from seeing it. I'll give it a 7 out of 10. Below is my review, but
beware of spoilers.
Really have mixed feelings about it. There are alot of nice things about this movie, and then there is points about this movie that just dont do it for me, considering this is a Rambo movie.
The PROS:
It felt different than the other ones. This is a good and a bad point to the movie, so it helps it and hurts it at the same time. Unlike others, I didnt feel that this really linked to First Blood all that much, except for his attitude at the beginning and then the exact end of the movie.
I did love the attitude he had at the movie. Clearly, Rambo has lost all faith in humanity and the world. I loved that, and that made me really get into the movie at the beginning. And who can blame him...the world has treated him like garbage and the world this day in age is garbage. He has experienced the worst humanity has to offer, so I really liked that bit of character development...as small as it was.
I did love the fact that he wasnt a full one man army in this film. The mercs are a nice touch to the film, and it was needed in a movie such as this, with Stallone going for a slightly more realistic approach to the film in comparison to Part 2 and 3. The boat scene with the mercs was nice as well.
The sheer violence! Yes, its horrible horrible violence. But again, seems that Stallone went with the sheer brutality of it all, and I personally think it worked. The movie doesnt suffer due to the graphic level of the violence, and I am not one of those hardnosed UFC/Wrestling guys who just went to the movie for the violence. But yeah, the action was good when shown.
Loved when Rambo came to the rescue of those group of people with the land mines in the water...when he used the arrows to finish off the guards! Great scene! The buildup was perfect, the surprise was perfect, and THAT...WAS RAMBO. That was the Rambo I was waiting for for 20 yrs!! Unfortunately, we really didnt get to see more of him.
Love the flashback sequence! I think that was my fav moment of the film! Great moment, and I think something like that could have been used effectively in a trailer as well instead of let the bodies hit the floor crap. But it was great in the film! Brilliant!
The sound of the film!! Great, loud sound. The direction was fine and I give Kudos for Stallone for recongnizing how important it was! The cinimetography was nice as well!
I did like the fact that Stallone didnt hold back at showing how bad these guys were and the atrocities that are occuring in Burma. If one person who now sees this movie takes notice of the horrible things going on over there...then the movie succeeded.
And finally, the last shot of the movie with Stallone back in the U.S. walking on that long road. Great shot, but there is a con with this as well from my point of view.
The CONS:
This movie is too freaking short!!! What the hell!?!? Felt like the real action just got started and then it finishes. The movie would have benefited if that final action sequence went another 5 to 10 mins longer. Wow. Very disappointed.
In relation to above...95% of the real exciting action from that last action sequence we already saw in the trailers!! So...I was expecting alot more and then it never came to be?!? Wtf!?!
Aside from the arrow scene I talked about and then the sneakup to the 50 cal...where was Rambo!?!? Where was the Rambo even from First Blood? I didnt see him? The entire final action sequence was pretty much just him on the 50 cal standing in the truck! Even after he got injured...he just goes back on the gun. Thats it!??! Colour me hugely disappointed in this department. With John McClane we got him doing what he does best in different scenarios...I just felt I was shortchanged in the amount of "Rambo" I got. Yeah there was action. It was good. I am glad the Mercs were in it...good and a nice change. But Rambo had to do more in this film. It just wasnt enough.
Rambo actually has a Dad that is alive? Wow. Not sure I like it. Seems like his Dad has a nice place back in the old US of A. Uh...why didnt he go there in First Blood, or after Part 2, or after Part 3!?!? Seems that after Part 3...he seemed a bit more ready to go back. If he has a Dad, why wasnt he going back? Seems a little thrown in for no reason. Rambo should have gone back to the States for himself. The fact he has actual family IMO didnt fit in well with the character. I felt that Trautman was all the father figure he needed.
Last but not least, the musical score of this film....not impressed. It wasnt a terrible score, but was generic and the Rambo theme was needed for the action sequences. It didnt have to be full blown on like scenes in Rambo 2 or 3, but give the fans something! Again...felt like I wasnt watching Rambo. Thumbs down on the score.
Anyways, good film. Good action film, although I am not sure I would classify it as an action film. I wouldnt call Saving Private Ryan an action film, even though it has intense action scenes. Live Free or Die Hard was an action film. I am not sure I can place this into the "action movie" genre. And because it didnt feel like too much like a Rambo film...I am not sure what to think. I think Stallone did a good job, but the movie had alot of shortcomings and because it didnt feel like a Rambo movie, I have to rate this at last place on my list of Rambos, even though its still a good film. After 20 yrs, I was hoping to see Rambo. I am not sure how much Rambo I actually got in this movie. I think all the pieces were there, it just fell short. But I congradulate Sly for bringing this iconic character back, and the fact that I saw Sly as Rambo again anyways brought a big smile to my face!!