Saturday, 21 September 2019

Rambo: Last Blood - The scoop and digest

Adrian Grunberg made his feature debut with the impressive Get the Gringo.

Now he faces the task of ensuring one of Hollywood's most iconic action stars goes out with a bang.

Sylvester Stallone - Rambo
Paz Vega - Carmen Delgado
Yvette Monreal - Gabrielle
Óscar Jaenada - Victor Martinez
Sergio Peris-Mnecheta - Hugo Martinez

Summary

Eleven years after Burma, Rambo inherits his late father's horse ranch.

When his niece Gabrielle visits Mexico to get closure on why father left (who's a complete asshole by the way), she's kidnapped by a local drug cartel who plan to sell her as a sex slave.

Despite a few hiccoughs, father figure manages to rescue her, murdering one of the Martinez brothers in the process.

Surviving sibling isn't best pleased and seeks vengeance.

In preparation, Rambo organises a picnic intruders will never forget.

Oh yes, there will be blood

Creator David Morrell is 'embarrassed' to have his name associated with it.

Fair enough, but words may have been influenced by bad reviews.

While not great by any stretch, I don't think hate is really deserved.

Critics are calling it racist and xenophobic, making out this is the first time cinema has given Mexico a bad rap.

Sicario 2: Soldado anybody?

But whatever, the reality of Mexican drug cartels is far more horrific than any film.

Plot is sterile, villains are cartoonish and running time can be rather dumb.

Security at border patrol is hilariously lax and considering Rambo is a living legend, I find it amazing that criminal empire have never heard of him.

Stallone mumbles too much, but evergreen superstar still puts in a tidy performance.

On driving the doomed Gabrielle back home, I found Rambo pouring his heart out quite sad.

It may only last about 10 minutes, but bloodthirsty climax (primarily set inside Viet Cong-esque tunnels), makes most slasher flicks seem tame.

Bravo.

While sequence is basically an 18 rated version of Home Alone, it's worth remembering that Skyfall (albeit obviously goreless) did the same.

To those appalled by violence, I make the following comments.

Rambo (fourth movie) wasn't rated U and more importantly, what did you expect?

John J. resolving disputes over a cup of Darjeeling and biscuits?

Yeah...

The eagle-eyed will recognise spiked planks are identical to forest trap laid in First Blood.

Hugo is lured to barn, hit with several well placed arrows and gets heart cut out.

Now that's how you take out a motherfucker.

Before that, Rambo informs 'I want you to feel my rage'.

Coincidentally, player can unleash 'rage' in Sega's Rambo arcade.

End credits play montage of Rambo's greatest moments with present day geezer riding off on horseback into the sunset.

While Sly will apparently not return to reprise title role, noises suggest prequel will explore early life.

Goof

At some point, Rambo's driving license states date of birth is 4 December 1950.

Not wishing to be a smart ass or anything, but Vietnam was born on 6 July 1947.

Just... WHAT?

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