DVD
REVIEW: RAMBO
05/25/08
The last time we heard
about John Rambo was 20 years ago in Rambo III, when he was
helping our friends in Afghanistan to get rid of the
communist Russians. With this mission, the Vietnam Vet
retired and disappear from the big screen, since it did not
have the success expected. Luckily, for our iconic hero,
fans have not forgotten him, he still one of the most known
and admired characters in America and the world, and his
sells around the world has proven that he is still one of
the greatest action heroes. The warrior is back, and
although time has passed through him, Rambo still as sharp,
violent, and mighty entertaining as the first time.
The movie follows a basic and predictable story: Good guys
want to help, Good guys get caught by the enemy, and good
guys get rescue by Rambo. What makes the movie interesting
is not the external struggle, what is happening in the
world, but Rambo’s internal struggle. Its been almost three
decades and he still is trying to find out who he is. The
story begins describing the conflict: Burma’s situation, and
then jumps to Rambo, who is now living in Thailand as a
Snake hunter, until one day he is asked by a group of
Christians missioners to help them get to Burma, at first he
refuses, but he is finally convince by Sarah, one of the
missioners. Rambo agrees and take them to their destination
and come back to his regular life. One night he is visited
by a priest and is told that the missioners are been hold
prisoners by the Burma army. The father asked Rambo to take
some mercenaries to the same placed he drop the
missionaries, he agrees, and joins the mercenaries to carry
the rescue.
The movie will not disappoints at all in its purpose, it
will entertain to the fullest and for Rambo fans this is the
most graphical yet. It surpasses its predecessor in bullets
fired, kills, and blood. I don’t remember seen a Rambo movie
as bloody as this one, Stallone and his special effects did
an incredible job in this aspect, each action sequence is
just amazing, it s said that is one of the most accurate
movie in depicting the kills and used of weaponry. The
actors performance were good for an action movie, besides
the only performance that matter was the main character,
Stallone gets in his character really well portraying
Rambo’s characteristics as good as in the first movie, the
supporting cast did a great job as well. Character design it
disappoints a little, many character are just too
predictable like Michael and Sarah, other although more
charismatic should have required a little more thought like
the mercenaries. Video and sound wise the movie will make
the audience feel the war as it is: brutal. I regret not to
have seen this movie in theater since the audio and video is
great. Nonetheless, its DVD version is good enough to make
you sense the same effect.
Unlike any other Rambo, this movie does not have Rambo doing
all the work by himself, nor it has an equally skill bad
guy. This might be a let down for fans of the series, since
they wont seeing Rambo pushed to his limits, or struggling
in a final combat against an equally powerful enemy. In my
opinion, I think it is great that Rambo required help and
that the enemies did not have such character, since it gives
the movie more realism. Major Pa Tee Tint and his merciless
army is challenge enough for Rambo, and although no
interaction takes place between them, the heated is there.
Besides the movie itself is more about the struggle inside
Rambo, his final enemy is Rambo himself trying to figured
out what or who he is.
In Rambo’s own words “Nothing does change,” and he is right
his movies will continue to inspired and amused new
generations to come. The movie although as violent and
brutal as it is, it also like the other Rambos, keep us
aware of existing problems going on in the world today.
Stallone did an outstanding job in bringing back the hero,
as a writer, director, and actor. Rambo is an action packed
movie that will make the audience feel like they are
fighting right beside him. For action fans, who have not
seen it or thought the character is played out: reconsidered
it, because like I say, Rambo has not changed, he still as
deadly, sharp and fun as always.
Review By Milo
milo@smartcine.com
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VIDEO:
16x9 Widescreen Presentation
2.40:1 ratio
AUDIO:
English Dolby
Digital 5.1mastered in high definition
French 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Subtitles: English and Spanish
SPECIAL FEATURES: The
DVD is well presented it looks attractive to the eye, and
from the beginning it put you in the mood for the movie.
Also I recommend to watch the special features, which are
very good and instructive.
Audio Commentary with Sylvester Stallone
It’s a long
road: Resurrection of an icon - Director and Writer
Sylvester Stallone talkes about how the movie evolved from
its beginning story, (Rambo going to Mexico) to the
theatrical story (19:44).
A
Score to Settle: The music of Rambo: Composer Bryan
Tyler discusses how he came up with the music for the movie.
From the original sound created by Jerry Goldsmith, to his
new addition to the series, also he shares how Silvester
Stallone influenced and helped him in coming out with the
new themes. (6:31)
The
Art of War Part One: Editing: It basically how the
movie was edited (6:47)
The
Art of War Part Two: Sound: here the Editors
discussed how the sounds where chosen and talked about
Stallone’s involvement in this process (3:15)
The
Weaponry of Rambo: property master Ken Johnson
talked about how the weapons for the movie were chosen, how
the actors trained with them, and how its damaged power was
portrayed in the movie. (14:23)
A
heroes Welcome: Release and Reaction: It is
basically the opening night in Las Vegas, cast tells the
impression of celebrities, critics and fans, and tell
stories about some reaction of fans in the theater. (9:31)
Legacy
of despair: The struggle in Burma: It is by far the
best featured, it depicts the real oppression the people at
Burma is living to the present day, it has real footage and
testimonies of real Burma people and their fight for human
rights.(10:42)
Deleted Scenes: 4 deleted scenes that did not make
it to the movie. Out of these I think 1 could have been
added to the movie to clarify Rambo‘s live and state of
mind(Approximately 15 Minutes)
Disc - 2
Digital Copy: Standard Copy for portable devices,
compatible with the ipod and Media player
RATING BREAK DOWN:
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