Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

Written by John Chard on January 26, 2020

Not Expendable!

Rambo: First Blood Part II is directed by George Pan Cosmatos and collectively written by David Morrell, Kevin Jarre (characters), Sylvester Stallone and James Cameron. It stars Stallone, Richard Crenna, Charles Napier, Steven Berkoff, Julia Nickson and Martin Kove. Music is by Jerry Goldsmith and cinematography by Jack Cardiff.

The sequel to 1982's First Blood, this finds Vietnam Veteran John Rambo released from prison on proviso he undertakes a special mission back into Vietnam to find proof of American POWs still being illegally held captive there...

OK! It's all very implausible and cartoon like, and of course now it's very un-PC, pulsing with stereotypes and indicative of the Reagan era 1980s. It also lacks the character depth of the first film, reducing Rambo, the scarred and bitter war veteran at the iconic core of the franchise, to merely being a robotic killing machine. However, it's an action fan's dream, where even as the flag waving patriotic fervour hangs heavy, it's an explosive pic that thrills and excites from first frame till last. 7.5/10