Rent Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

Pointless finale and not a particularly good film on its own. - Rambo: Last Blood review by JD

Ive never been a fan of Sly. Imo his career has largely been made off the back of two of the greatest films ever made (FB and Rocky)

But i was impressed with the presence he brought to this film. Sadly thats all this film has. John Rambos presence. Everything else about it is terrible and worse still it comes across as utterly pointless.

First Blood was epic. One of those films that was never going to be bettered or replicated, least of all by silly sequels. It should of been left alone and this final film in the saga only goes to prove that.

2 stars, not worth watching unless you really are a die hard Stallone fan. Nothing in it for anyone else.

Despite a great opening, this film is vile in so many ways - Rambo: Last Blood review by TB

Whilst I have not seen the first three John Rambo films, I had seen Rambo many years ago, mainly because some of my friends who had seen it thought it was so stupidly violent that it almost became satirical. And when watching it myself, several times I did laugh, as it was like watching a computer game re-enactment with gallons of “tomato soup” style blood spraying about everywhere. One of the only positives about Rambo (the film) was the light that it shone on the horrific genocide that was happening in Burma/Myanmar.

I knew a little about Rambo as a character, in terms of his PTSD and flashbacks, as well as the severe trauma he dealt with which shone a light onto the very real issues faced by many members of the armed forces. But as well as this very real side, I was also aware that Rambo was a by-word for gratuitous violence, wooden acting and the “American” warrior stereotype. Unfortunately, this does not change in Rambo: Last Blood at all, instead introducing many much worse new things into the mix.

The most frustrating thing about Rambo: Last Blood is that, unlike a lot of people, I thought the opening 20 minutes was really good. The PTSD element of Rambo’s character was explored quite profoundly, and as has been pointed out by many people, when Stallone is given the right material, he is an extremely good actor. I totally bought into the difficulty and mental torture the character was going through and how despite his best efforts, these horrors stayed with him. The horse-riding scenes were also well-shot and there was a very good foundation set in the beginning. Unfortunately it then nose-dived.

I won’t talk in detail about the plot, but what started as a good film then just becomes the most bigoted, racist and xenophobic piece of work I’ve seen in years. Almost anyone who isn’t American/close with Rambo at the beginning of the film is shown as being evil and violent, one scene in particular set in a brothel is simply there to keep ratcheting up the message that these people (in this case Mexican characters) are human vermin who do horrible things to defenceless young women; and in the final showdown, which is basically an 18 rated version of the Home Alone traps and designed to be the pay-off, instead just leaves you in no doubt about just how rancid the messages in this film are.

The final thing to mention is that David Morrell, who wrote the original Rambo novel, after seeing this movie, totally disowned the Rambo film franchise, stating “I felt degraded and dehumanized after I left the theatre. Instead of being soulful, this new movie lacks one.”

Dumb bloody fun :) - Rambo: Last Blood review by Jamielou

It's Rambo, come on! I had never seen a Rambo film until the last one in 2008 which I thoroughly enjoyed. I didn't quite know what to expect from this one but it's stupid, the plot is an excuse for more violence and I really enjoyed it. Without giving anything away basically it's a revenge movie, and we all know how those end up. Stallone is his usual slow talking violent self and it's very inventive in showing new ways for people to die horribly so if that's your thing, fill yer boots!

Disappointing final (hopefully) instalment - Rambo: Last Blood review by AL

What a mess and a horrible one. I'll give it one this, it can be pretty gory in parts. Seemed to think we'll take all the best deaths from the previous films and just make them nastier. Oh well, passed the time. Such a shame because the first film is so fantastic.

As good as ever - Rambo: Last Blood review by jb

Mess this this guy ??? over the last many months i have been watching most of Stallone,s old films+have enjoyed them all over again ,this new one is very violent also disturbing with its level of violence ,watch and be throughly entertained -its great .

Ignore the Critics !!! - Rambo: Last Blood review by DE

This film has nothing but bad reviews but I have always ignored the Critics and i Thought this was a great watch , Basically if you are a Rambo fan then please do watch , Is different from the others but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Because violence has consequences - Rambo: Last Blood review by CS

Although not the Rambo some people would've liked, this film unapologetically does what it says on the tin, it's a no-nonsense blood and guts old school actioner. Stallone plays his tried and tested Vietnam veteran in the worn out style of a man who has at last found some meaning in his life. Its a good performance and one which pits the aging hero against a group of foes he's never faced before. While the story arc is somewhat predictable, it manages to stay relevant with its theme of people trafficking and cartel violence. It doesn't flinch when it comes to showing the consequences of violence and even takes Rambo into the territory of what it means to be a father. This is a far more gritty instalment then we've seen so far in the series and even if the end is somewhat unlikely, it's a down to earth, heartfelt performance by Stallone of a man of violence trying to 'keep the lid on it'.

Personally, I'm glad he didn't try too hard.