Trying to dodge painful memories of his past, Vietnam vet John J. Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is making a life in Thailand where he spends his time salvaging old PT boats and tanks for scrap metal. But his R&R has been interrupted as Christain missionaries Michael Burnett (Paul Schulze) and Sarah Miller (Julie Benz) request he take them to Burma. Little do the missionaries know that it's one of the biggest mistakes they could ever make, as Burmese military men kidnap them for sick and twisted pleasures. Now Rambo has to snap out of his funk and rescue his friends before they are killed.

The new decade has seen re-emergence of familiar movie franchises making a return: Arnold Schwartzeneggar's Terminator, Bruce Willis's Live Free or Die Hard, and Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa... and the latest in Rambo. A franchise that probably shouldn't have bared its presence since the third film, which I heard was monumentally terrible, its newest installment, simply titled Rambo, makes a surprsingly entertaining 93 minute sit. Just as long as you don't get squeamish.

Bare in mind, the film wears its R rating on its chest. Not only is the film hyperviolent (limbs are shot off and bodies explode), but it also seems to be based on real-life events, with atrocious militants putting the hurt on innocent people, whether it's rape, beheading, or child endangerment. It's sadism if handled irresponsibly (Hostel Part 2, Alien versus Predator: Requiem), but as a director, Sylvestor Stallone throws those willing into the heat of the moment. And, in the final action scene, the film really goes for the gully, yet it never loses its mojo and fist-pumping intensity that the franchise is known for.

At 61, Stallone does a solid job with his performance as the wounded vet. Unlike in past efforts, and like in Rocky Balboa, he's more comfortable with his acting choices and his gravitas works well for his character's trauma. Yeah, he's going to chop some people up and man a turret like no one's business (well directed here, I might add), but Stallone's more in tune with keeping the thing popping with zest and charm.

I'm not to sure about the rest of the cast though. Despite showing up with a straight face, Julie Benz almost winds up showing some amateurish acting and can't seem to match the hyperactive scenes of action with her gravitas either; it ain't the point though, this is a raw action film, but her hyped performance may turn off some Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans. The rest of the cast is fine, however, though it's hard to pick some of them out of a line-up (Matthew Marsden was somewhere), but it's a solid choice that real Vietnamese citizens were used as extras.

Rambo may not be the film everyone may be into (reviews aren't too pleasant), but I thought it was on the money at times. Stallone isn't a horrible actor like the likes of Steven Seagal, and his choices here won me over. I wonder why Meet the Spartans - as funny as cancer - beat in the box office?

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age