Movie Review: Rambo (2008), Closure of the Saga

John Rambo is living in Asia as a snake catcher when he is approached by a group of medical missionaries to take them by boat to war-torn Burma. After a while, he agrees to do it. He gets them there and returns. He later finds out that most of the missionaries have been killed and Rambo's hired to lead a rescue team through Burma.

This is part 4 of the Rambo saga and not very original. If you've seen parts 2-3, you know what 4 is about. It's basically an action movie with nothing new to offer. Rambo goes in with his arrows and guns blazing to save the day, aided by Burmese rebel fighters. Why would a soldier with psychological trauma repeatedly be hired on battle missions?

This is good as an action movie without much in the way of story or moral lessons, other than fighting never ends. If you like that, this is for you. If you want more meaning, go with part 1.

Stallone and the rest of the cast do their parts sufficiently, for a no-brainer action flick.

Sylvester Stallone falls back into his as John Rambo quite well, considering it has been twenty years since he did part three and he is now 61. He said that he used human growth hormones to give him a slight edge on his physique. I think he's not as big as in past movies but he still looked the part.

Julie Benz, of Buffy & Angel fame, does a good job as Sarah, on of the missionaries Rambo must save. Paul Schulze, of 24 fame, is also good as Michael Burnett, the pacifist missionary leader, who sees that sometimes violence is necessary.

Rambo is accompanied by a ragtag group of soldiers to accompany him. He's just the boatman and the soldiers don't think he's tough until he ends up rescuing them after they come under enemy fire.

Richard Crennais is dearly missed as Rambo's mentor, Trautman. He is shown in flashbacks.

Very well-done gory SFX. This is not for kids. There are huge, bloody holes in those shot at, throat gouged open with knives, and blood everywhere. When Rambo get control of a huge artillery gun, it looks like bloody rain! Not for the faint of heart!