Rambo (2008)

7.5/10

I liked it, this is the first installment of the “Rambo” franchise that I have liked since “First Blood”. While this one was no where near the film that the original was, it at least had a plausible story line. The reason I decided to watch it was that a friend of mine told me that the premise of this film is actually based on a real American living in or near Burma (I have not verified that). Regardless, This film is packed with action, tension and is working at creating awareness over a real issue.
However the film makers still stuck to the same old crap that made me dislike parts 2 & 3, why is it that a gun in Rambo’s hands will split a bad guy in half, while a similar weapon will merely give Rambo a flesh wound? Also the film had moments that reminded me of Weird Al Yankovich’s classic parody of Rambo, in “The Vidiot from UHF” or that of “Hot Shots 2” when Rambo fires his gun, every body goes down!

Plenty of blood and guts in this film!

The Plot:

Vietnam veteran John Rambo has survived many harrowing ordeals in his lifetime and has since withdrawn into a simple and secluded existence in Thailand, where he spends his time capturing snakes for local entertainers, and chauffeuring locals in his old PT boat. Even though he is looking to avoid trouble, trouble has a way of finding him: a group of Christian human rights missionaries, led by Michael Burnett and Sarah Miller, approach Rambo with the desire to rent his boat to travel up the river to Burma. For over fifty years, Burma has been a war zone. The Karen people of the region, who consist of peasants and farmers, have endured brutally oppressive rule from the murderous Burmese military and have been struggling for survival every single day. After some inner contemplation, Rambo accepts the offer and takes Michael, Sarah, and the rest of the missionaries up the river. When the missionaries finally arrive at the Karen village, they find themselves part of a raid by the sadistic Major Pa Tee Tint and a slew of Burmese army men. A portion of the villagers and missionaries are tortured and viciously murdered, while Tint and his men hold the remainder captive. Concerned by their disappearance, the minister in charge of the mission gathers a group of mercenaries and pleas Rambo transport them with his boat, since he knows their last exact location. But Rambo can't stay behind: he joins the team where he belongs, to liberate the survivors from the clutches of Major Tint in what may be one of his deadliest missions.

Cast:

Sylvester Stallone...John Rambo

Julie Benz...Sarah

Matthew Marsden...School Boy

Graham McTavish...Lewis

Reynaldo Gallegos...Diaz (as Rey Gallegos)

Jake La Botz...Reese

Tim Kang...En-Joo

Maung Maung Khin...Major Pa Tee Tint

Paul Schulze...Michael Burnett

Cameron Pearson...Jeff - Missionary #4

Thomas Peterson...Dentist - Missionary #2

Tony Skarberg...Videographer - Missionary #3

James With...Preacher - Missionary #5 (as James Wearing Smith)

Kasikorn Niyompattana...Snake Hunter #2

Shaliew Manrungbun...Snake Hunter #1

Trailer



The Movie: