The Rambo movies were a huge staple for action lovers back in the 80s. Whereas the latest installments in the Stallone-led franchise haven’t been received well, the first three films which came out between 1982 and 1988 were hugely popular. Collectively, they grossed close to $700 million worldwide. This wasn’t Marvel movie money but it was good money at the time.
The movies normally presented war veteran John Rambo as a man who could do it all. He was the perfect killing machine sent by the gods to destroy every evil earthling that stood in his way. However, as time has passed, some things about Rambo haven’t aged particularly well. There are lots of old movies which are still without blemishes when examined with modern critic spectacles but the Rambo films don’t fit into that category. Here are some things that might have appeared okay back when the films were popular but don’t look so good right now.
The Anti-Police Narrative In First Blood
First Blood cemented Stallone’s place as Hollywood heavyweight. His Rocky doubters no longer had anything to say. Surprisingly, due to wrangles behind-the-scenes, it was almost never released. However, the film’s storyline was totally anti-police. First Blood is basically about John Rambo taking out hundred of cops single-handedly in the small town of Hope, Washington. And he does so in a very brutal manner.
Rambos’ actions were understandable. He had been arrested and abused by the town’s police department yet he had just come to see a friend. However, in the current climate, the movie would be seen as something that promotes phobia and disdain for law enforcement. Hating the police might sound cool in rap songs and in movies but when you are in real trouble, 911 might be your only hope.
Fighting With The Mujahideen In Rambo 3
In Rambo 3, John goes to Afghanistan to fight the Soviet Army, which is said to be controlling the country. The Soviets have also made the mistake of kidnapping his friend Colonel Trautman. While he’s there, he briefly seeks the help of Afghan fighters popularly known as the Mujahideen.
Nothing wrong with getting a little help right? Yeah right. Well, it was later revealed that former Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was also part of the Mujahideen in the 80s. Wow. Good Ol’ John was fighting in a group that gave birth to a terrorist leader. It doesn’t look so good, whichever way you look at it.
The ‘One Man Army’ Cliche
Rambo has always been too good for all his enemies. In every single movie except First Blood, his kill statistics easily passed the 100-mark. He rarely needed a sidekick or fellow soldiers. But this was very unrealistic. No man can take out that many people on his own. It’s no surprise that pre-90s movies involving teamwork like Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket are considered better war films than the Stallone flicks.
Seeking to embrace reality, modern action flicks have ditched this cliche. Even if the hero is a skilled operative or former veteran, modern movies try to make him as human as possible. However, the Rambo franchise has refused to evolve. Equally, critics have refused to show the latest installment dubbed Rambo: Last Blood any mercy.
Defending The Karen Rebels
In 2008’s Rambo, Stallone’s character works with the Karen rebels in Burma as they fight against the oppressive government. However, this situation is very complicated in the real world. There are those whos see these real-life Karen rebels as the biggest obstacles to peace in Burma (Myanmar)
The government has been at war with the rebels for close to 60 years. That’s a bloody long time. And in as much as they’ve received support from countries like Britain, there are those who argue that Burma would be fairly peaceful if it wasn’t for the guerilla warfare by the Karen rebels.
The Iconic Headband
It looked cool at the time but right now you can’t help but question its necessity. In all the Rambo movies, Stallone would tie a piece of cloth around his head, implying that a couple of bad people were about to be sent to the afterlife. It was the ultimate badass moment but it made no sense at all. Was the headband supposed to increase his powers?
Bandanas like the red one like the one Stallone wore in 2008‘s Rambo are quite controversial. Headbands normally imply gang affiliations. Most members of criminal organizations like the “Bloods” of Los Angels are known to tie pieces of clothing around their heads. Tying a red piece of cloth around your head in order to kill generally seems absurd too.
Promoting The Anti-Mexican Agenda
Rambo: Last Blood is only a few months old but it is already aging poorly. The film sees John Rambo fighting Mexican cartels who have kidnapped his adopted daughter and forced her into prostitution. It’s hard to understand why Mexican drug dealers (not human traffickers) would need an American prostitute. Its a stretch. Since Stallone co-wrote the script, you get the feeling that he just wanted to pit his beloved character against the Mexicans.
The film has already caused controversy for promoting hatred against Mexicans. Some critics say the movie is promoting the narrative that most Mexicans are crooked criminals that have to be dealt with. Why don’t you just hire good screenwriters, Mr. Stallone?
Not addressing The PTSD
Like many other films about war veterans, Rambo was first introduced as a man suffering from PTSD. In David Morell’s First Blood novel upon which the novel was based on, Rambo was more of a maniac than he is in the films, This was due to his PTSD. In the film, the trauma from experiences of war was mentioned as well but it was never addressed fully.
What’s surprising is that Rambo has trauma and stress issues when the opportunity for action arises, his PTSD just disappears. We might not be medical experts that we know that PTSD is not cured by holding a gun. Wouldn’t more bloody violence make the condition worse?
The Prisoners Of War (POW) Controversy
In First Blood: Part II, Rambo went to Vietnam to rescue American war prisoners who had been abandoned by the government ten years after the war ended. This later triggered a political controversy. The government went on to deny the existence of American POWs in Vietnam. Let’s say there were POWs, why would the Vietnamese government keep American soldiers for that long? What’s the benefit?
Stallone co-wrote the script for First Blood: Part II with James Cameron. However, Cameron later threw Stallone under the bus and insisted that he only wrote the action parts. According to him, the divisive political message in the film was all Stallone’s fault. As a result, the two men have never worked together ever since.
Bringing Knives To Gunfights
In all the installments in the franchise, John Rambo has always had a knife that he doesn’t necessarily need. Given that most of his opponents usually have gins, it makes you wonder why he would need a knife at all, except for the sole reason of looking cool.
He is also a very skilled shooter, so this even makes you scratch your head about the knife again..Interestingly, Stallone has his knives custom-made for the films. He is said to have hired renowned knife makers like Jimmy Lile and Gill Hiben to make the most warrior-like knives for him.
The Lack Of Humor
The best action movies tend to be seasoned with some humor. It doesn’t have to be a lot but it has to be there somehow. Most Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, and Seagull movies have one or two funny moments. So do many other films of the era. However, Rambo films tend to be all action and no laughs.
Apparently, Rambo was supposed to have a funny sidekick (played by John Travolta) in First Blood: Part II but Stallone scrapped the character when he rewrote the script. He didn’t want another character to have all the cool dialogue. And that’s how we lost the only chance of having humor in a Rambo movie. How selfish.
