Sylvester Stallone Vs Brian Dennehy (Rambo: First Blood (DVD))

Member Name: joecooper

Product:	Rambo: First Blood (DVD)
Date:	25/04/03 (590 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great stunts

Disadvantages: Dodgy sequels

First Blood is the opening film in the Rambo trilogy, and easily the superior of the three. Like its successors, it doesn't shy away from being a violent one-man 'rage against the machine'. However, First Blood manages to succeed where Rambo II and Rambo III are discarded as mindless trash.

With just the right amount of character development, and a small glimpse of a social message, First Blood gives you all the ride you want.

*Background*

1982 saw the release of First Blood, and was Sylvester Stallone's first real digression from his launch-pad role as Rocky the 'Italian Stallion'. Sylvester was no longer mistaken for a puttytat, but his stardom wasn't quite carved in stone. First Blood, and the launch of the character John Rambo, was to be somewhat of a gamble. One that obviously paid off and paved the way further for Sly to become the 80s and 90s action hero icon.

*Into the story (a teaser, but not a spoiler)*

John Rambo (Stallone) is a Vietnam War veteran floating around the Northwest of America looking up old war buddies. Rambo's a lost soul. The war changed him, and he no longer feels welcome in the country that he fought for. Rubbing salt into the wounds is the fact that many of his old friends from the jungles of a South-east Asia have either passed on or have disappeared. John Rambo is just one of many young men that were sent to fight for their country in return for a very poor thank you and not much in the way of support upon their return. You can't help but feel for Rambo.

The film begins with Rambo making his way into yet another small town, looking for yet another old war buddy. Except this town is slightly different - it's the jurisdiction of a redneck sheriff that takes his business a little too seriously. Sheriff Teasle (Brian Dennehy) runs a tight ship, and the appearance of a scruffy looking Rambo making his way into town brings out the macho 'm
y town, my rules' power-junkie in him. With his 'the good people elect me to keep this town peaceful' license, the Sheriff hauls Rambo into the station for a talk and a bit of excessive force. It's a bit of a 'let's teach this boy a lesson, and send him on his way'.

Rambo's initially submissive. It's as if he's seen Teasle's type before and is just going to take the hard-man talk and a cuff around the ear before he's sent to the town limits. Rambo doesn't seem too perturbed. Then the ante is upped.

Rambo's quiet demeanor and resignation to a little roughing over puts the wind up Sheriff Teasle and his deputies, spurring them on to give out heavier treatment. On it goes, with Teasle almost in a frenzy of desperation to see Rambo crack like most of the poor souls that he lords over in his personal fiefdom. Rambo does crack, but not in the way that the good sheriff expects.

Rambo wasn't a clerk in Vietnam, he was a Green Beret, and when pushed too far by the sheriff and his lackeys he snaps and gets himself out of the sheriff's station in brutal fashion. Once out on the street he coathangers a bloke off a trail bike, gets on it himself, and speeds out of town with the sheriff's armada of squad cars in hot pursuit. Thus begins Rambo v The World.

Rambo takes to ground in the woods outside of town, and finds himself a hunted man. The sheriff and his boys, are joined by the state police, and eventually the national guard. Rather than thinking rationally, Rambo regresses and finds no alternative but to teach them all a lesson. And it's worth watching!

*The acting*

The only two characters that are put under the microscope in First Blood are Stallone's Rambo, and Dennehy's Sheriff Teasle. Stallone is more than adequate in First Blood. In fact, it's probably the perfect role for him. Rambo is the man of action, who from time to time si
ncerely struggles to express his thoughts and feelings with words that he's not comfortable with. Stallone coerces a lot of empathy from his audience in this role with some deliberately stilted and somehow touching monologues.

Dennehy. Well, he's Mr Telemovie. He has just enough ability to do the job, but he's nothing to write home about. Perhaps a more accomplished actor (say a Gene Hackman) may have been a wiser choice, but, then again, it may have taken the focus off Stallone's efforts.

*Cool Scenes*

Director Ted Kotcheff in conjunction with Stallone took the time and effort to conjure up some memorable scenes in First Blood.

My personal favourites include:

Cliff scene

Rambo finds himself hanging by his fingertips on the face of a cliff. There's no going up, and it's hundreds of feet straight down. To make matters worse, there's a sniper in a helicoper taking pot shots at him. What does he do? I'm not going to spoil it, but I will say that it's one of the best stunts that I've ever witnessed! Priceless!

The tunnel of rats

Ever wanted to be sealed into a mine shaft with rancid water and several thousand rats for company. Rambo mightn't have wanted it, but he gets it. It's actually Stallone in the footage, rather than a stunt double. Very cool scene!

*Joe's final word*

I get a kick out of First Blood every time I watch it. It's a unique action film. Rather than Stallone's later efforts, that are laced with corny lines and glistening 'personal trainer' muscles, First Blood is gutsy and a little on the sobering side. Despite the seriousness though, it's also a good 'go get em Tiger' action romp. You want Sheriff Teasle to get it, and get it good!

It goes without saying that First Blood is not for the kids. Set them up in another room with the Lion King before you get down with Ram
bo.

I'm going to give First Blood a good solid 5 stars. It's a stand out for what it is - a unique and quality action movie in the sea of garbage that litters the genre.

Cheers for reading!


~Joe

Trivia: Stallone is a fortunate soul. He's one of the very few Hollywood big names to have featured in a pornographic film in his early days, and not have it stifle his mainstream prospects. For the curious, Sly's skin flick was called 'Party at Kitty and Stud's'. Ooh la la!

Summary: