“RAMBO FRANCHISE.”

“RAMBO FRANCHISE.” <1>“First Blood” (1982, Pluto TV). <2>“Rambo: First Blood Part II” (1985, Pluto TV). <3>“Rambo III” (1988, Pluto TV). <4>“Rambo” (2008, Netflix). <5>“Rambo: Last Blood” (2019, Netflix). In all five movies, John Rambo stayed troubled and misunderstood from 1982’s “First Blood” to 2019’s “Rambo: Last Blood.” 

       The storyline template: Mr Rambo is a Vietnam veteran who must rely on his combat and survival skills when a series of brutal events pummeled his life (and the people he was with), starting in the fictional small town of Hope, Washington in “First Blood.” 

       Then he went abroad: Afghanistan, Burma, Mexico etcetera to save lives all by himself. Because he is Rambo. From I to V, the action and explosions improved, hence more violent and gory. And the drama is more believable, going forward. 

       Directed by Adrian Grunberg, Part V or “Last Blood” is the best in the franchise. Violence is more harsh and graphic but it has more cinematic/aesthetic credits. But the plotpoint or central theme remained as a hawkish Washington foreign policy playbook: The only solution to social/global ills perpetrated by violence is more violence. 

       Yup. John Rambo is the world’s saviour and he’s not negotiating shit with enemies. But it’s a movie, you know. Not United States politics. Or is it? But then, chill. 🎥💻📽