“Rambo: Last Blood” Movie Review

    Sylvester Stallone has played many popular characters over the years but without a doubt his two most famous characters have been Rocky Balboa and John Rambo.  I have always preferred the Rocky franchise personally but I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy most of the Rambo films.  By far the best film in the franchise was “First Blood”, the very first Rambo movie.  By the time he reappeared in “Rambo: First Blood Part II” and “Rambo III”, Rambo had become something of a superhero, a larger than life badass.  “Rambo” on the other hand attempted to ground the character a bit more but still was larger than life compared to his portrayal in “First Blood”.  I wasn’t sure what to expect with this film since Sylvester Stallone has mellowed a bit lately on the action front.

    This installment of the popular Rambo franchise finds John Rambo raising his niece Gabrielle on a large ranch in the United States after finally returning to the country at the end of “Rambo”.  Rambo has finally come to some piece in his life now that he has a purpose and someone who depends on him.  Rambo’s world is turned upside down when Gabrielle goes to Mexico to get answers from her father and ends up being kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery.  Once Rambo finds out, he sets off to rescue Gabrielle and he will let no one stand in his way.

    At the time I am writing this review, movie critics have already declared this film to be the equivalent of a dumpster fire and the film hasn’t performed well at the box office so far.  It seems like some people think the film has a Pro Trump agenda while other people seem to think the film advocates pointless violence.  I am in by no means a Trump supporter and I do think all the pointless violence going on in the world now is a talking point and should not be ignored.  That being said, I don’t think it is fair to blame any one film for it’s depiction of violence or to accuse a film like this as being bias.  To be rather blunt, “Rambo: Last Blood” is simply a stupid popcorn flick that gives fans of the action genre plenty to smile over.

    This was not my favorite Rambo movie nor was it my favorite film of the year, but it was enjoyable and still a step up from the over the top nature of “Rambo III”.  John Rambo still remains something of a superhero but shows more signs of vulnerability and flaws.  Stallone brings a sense of mortality to his portrayal of John Rambo that hasn’t been there in the other sequels.

    Yes, the film is still over the top and ridiculous at times.  The “Home Alone” inspired final act feels a bit ham fisted but this is a film largely driven by a sense of vengeance so you can forgive some of the film’s more far fetched aspects because you are rooting for Rambo.  Retooled a little, “Rambo: Last Blood” could have easily worked as a “Death Wish” reboot.

    While this may indeed be the final Rambo movie, the ambiguous ending certainly can leave room for a sequel.  Also, I think Sylvester Stallone would love to play Rambo in yet another film if the script was right.  “Rambo: Last Blood” isn’t a great film but it is a pretty fun movie to watch.  If you like the other Rambo movies, you will love this one.

Grade: B-