I have to admit I love Rambo, First Blood.
Okay, it’s a bit gonzo. But it’s great entertainment. Stallone is perfect as the taciturn Nam vet, John Rambo, who freaks out and goes native, when uptight local Sherriff, Will Teasle tries to boot him out of town.
Based on the 1972 novel, First Blood, by Canadian author David Morrell, you could actually make a case, as nutso Hollywood as the movie is, that the story is a little bit prophetic, in terms of the idea of America’s exported wars coming home to roost.
As Morrell himself puts it (read more here):
I decided to write a novel about a returning Vietnam veteran who brings the war to the United States…
Setting aside the basic idea of the story, based on the idea of spurned ‘war hero’ veterans, unable to assimilate, it’s just a damn well put together piece of movie making.
Terrific actors giving really solid performances, in great locations. Well shot and directed. Nicely paced, and with loads of terrific scenarios: from chases, to hunting in the woods, or ravines; mining tunnel exploration; even a siege of the local police station!
Once again, author and Rambo creator Morrell puts it well:
… I love the movie. Ted Kotcheff’s direction, Jerry Goldsmith’s music, Andrew Laszlo’s photography, Sylvester Stallone’s acting, Richard Crenna, on and on. It’s a terrific movie that seems more realistic with each year because its action scenes don’t use computer effects. The realism of the stunts is amazing.
In Morell’s book, Col. Trautman kills Rambo. In the movie, he doesn’t. Allowing the sequels/franchise. Watching this makes me want to re-watch the sequels. And plenty of other Sly stuff, like Rocky, and that early movie with the Tom Waits tunes… what’s it called?
Ah… Paradise Alley! Must check that out. ASAP.