The law of the Rambo films is thus; with each sequel comes less quality. Now that may sound bad. But since I adore 2008's Rambo (the forth entry in the series) you get an idea of how much I love this movie series. Sure, they're not deep and they're not clever...but then...neither am I.
Before I saw Rambo III in the summer of 1988, I predicted it would be shite. In real life the Russian's were withdrawing from Afghanistan and there was a negative behind the scenes buzz connected to Stallone's $80 million investment (the biggest budget film ever at the time). But when I saw it, it blew my danglies off...and it still does.
It looks epic (the budget's up there on screen) and moves like it has an RPG up it's bottom. Stallone no longer plays a character...but an icon...one who wants to kill people with sharp objects. After a slow but steady build up, the massive action sequences are relentless and pulse-pounding...the initial escape from the fort being a favorite.
As usual, Jerry Goldsmith's opratic score lifts this to a whole new level of kick-ass that other action movies can only dream of. And with images like that of a Russian helicopter gunship pursuing Rambo on horseback (all pre-CGI) it makes the movie even more memorable and impressive.
1 comment:
Ahh! Back in the days when Hollywood really knew how to make huge, dumb action thrillers.
Rambo 3 is epic. The story is the same old same old. Basically a rescue mission ala Rambo 2 and Rambo 4, but it's done on such a huge scale with glorious flesh and metal carnage that any true action fan can't help but to love it. And love him or loathe him John Rambo is an iconic figure. Especially in Rambo 3. He runs, strides, climbs around Afghanistan with bloated, glistening muscles ripling in a steroid induced fashion offing Soviets by the tank load. The film looks lovely with excellent photography, art direction and pracical fx. Also Jerry Goldsmith's score is poundingly awesome. It's one of my favourite ever scores. All the action set pieces are top notch. I especially love the Soviets attacking the Afghan village while Rambo is playing the horseback game. And of course there is the brilliant Helicopter vs Tank finale. And - yep - no cgi at all. Every explosion, bullet, tank, helicopter and horseback fighter is real.
The pinacle of the eighties muscle bound action man movie making. As Borat would say....Niiice!
Bring on Sly in The Expendables.
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