John Rambo (based on David Morrell's Audie Murphy inspired character) is a staunch, American symbol that cinemas need in a time when dictatorial, politically correctness invades every corner and space. Men, women and children need Rambo. I need Rambo, and I'm glad he's back.
As the fifth film in the Sylvester Stallone series, "Last Blood" more than holds its own, placing events "south of the border" in director Adrian "Get the Gringo" Grunberg's contribution. The screenplay was co-written by Stallone and Matthew Cirulnick, based on a concept by Stallone and Dan Gordon. It presents a straight-forward, no-mush, modern-western path that's hard-hitting in the name (and the game) of good vs bad.
This time Rambo ventures forth to rescue his niece, Gabrielle (Yvette Monreal) from the Mexican cartel, led by the monstrous Martinez brothers (Sergio Peris-Mencheta and Oscar Jaenada). With cool, calculating precision and (when need be) a fury unmatched by any hero, Rambo combats the drug-pushing villainy and along the treacherous line, keeps his "blood" (and moral legacy) alive and well, if not for himself, then surely for a gamut of implied, American values. For those who dare protest the intent, "Last Blood" was never meant for you, any more than "First Blood" was.
As expected, "Rambo V'"s latest (and final?) chapter is lean, crisp and splatter-drenched. Grunberg's taut direction is perfect for the format (and done, I'm pleased to say, in Stallone's directorial style), with nothing to filter the vengeance or our lead's sturdy, stoic performance, which (as with past examples) speaks volumes per a single glance. Really, this is genuine, quality acting and not that sickening, let's-shed-a-tear, mind-controlling emoting that the mainstream know-it-alls praise time and again.
Dewdrops would be wise to wait for the doomed-to-falter "Fantastic Beasts 3" to get their fix or better yet, engage in any given Bill Maher, Sinead O'Connor or Sean Penn jackass sermon. I'm stickin' with Rambo to keep me fulfilled. Hey, what can I say? I like having a spine.
Catch "Last Blood" on the big screen, and then cast your vote a second time when it arrives on disc. Films like this deserve to thrive. Fans like us need to keep 'em alive. May the legacy of John Rambo live on and forever hit hard.
One of the things I admire about the Rambo series is that, though the stories/locales are vary, it never deviates from its core. In other words, it never betrays its fan base. Too bad the current makers of "Star Wars" don't execute the same respect and loyalty.
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