Rambo - First Blood Part II (Special Edition)

Starring:Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Charles Napier, Steven Berkoff, Julia Nickson-Soul, Martin Kove, George Cheung, Andy Wood (II), William Ghent, Voyo Goric, Dana Lee, Baoan Coleman, Steve Williams (XXII), Don Collins, Christopher Grant, John Sterlini, Alain Hocquenghem, William Rothlein, Tony Munafo, Tom Gehrke
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Studio: Live / Artisan
Product Type: DVD

Customer Reviews:

Politics, not cinema.......2007-06-10

I saw "Rambo" when it first came out, and it stands out more now for its political dimensions than for its cinematic qualities.

It may seem odd, but America tried to tell itself...for quite a while... that it had won the war in Vietnam. "Rambo" said something vividly that may seem uncontroversial today, namely that we had lost in Vietnam. We lost, not because of the failure of the military, but because of a failure of political will. Our Soldiers weren't allowed to win.

If you weren't old enough to see this movie when it came out, you need to see it just because it is referenced and parodied by so many other films.

A must see.......2006-11-18

Boy! I sure am getting old! I remember seeing this in the theater. If your young and reading this review and mocking my opener for this movie, just wait till you hit 44 and start seeing all your movie favorites on Turner Classic Movies! Anyway, this movie is one of Stallones best. It all started with First Blood and you have to see all the Rambo movies to really appreciate what Stallone was trying to do with the John Rambo character. If only we had more Rambo's in our military right now in Iraq! Wow. Get this movie and watch it. You will enjoy it if you like to see the bad guys get their butt's kicked!

A fun Sequel.......2006-11-05

I like Sly's movies and Rambo and the Rocky series are by far some of the best yet flawd movies I have seen, As a kid I loved these films and I still do at 24.

A good extension of the FIRST movie.......2006-01-01

Come to think of it after seeing this sequel to the first movie FIRST BLOOD (based on the novel by David Morrell (wherein the character played by Sylvester Stallone- Johnny Rambo, a soldier who fought in vietnam is killed by the ending))- I find that it's not quite bad at all inspite of what the detractors would say.

Scripted by TITANIC movie mogul director/writer James Cameron - Stallone did more than to work out and really learn a lot of actual skills for his portrayal in this movie, but also came in volutarily for some personal touch of his for the script, and thus this flick which went co-scripted by Stallone himself, makes it a real well thought-out sequel to the previous movie.

This time picked from a prison camp by his superior played superiorly well by Richard Crenna, to take pictures of P.O.W.'s on a vietnamese war camp for evidence, Johnny Rambo is promised that upon the success of his mission -a presidential pardon shall be granted for his release, but Rambo did more than just that. However it turned out, he was framed to an abandon so as to set him up for failure on the mission by one of the superiors who are more concerned on covering his own butt than rescuing the Prisoners of War who are caught in Vietnam.

A lot of emotional juice are drawn regarding the matter concerned with the movie's plotline thematically, the concept purveyed in the movie regarding some validity in coming to love your country in spite of valid reasons there may be to hate it - is something thought provoking. And I'm yet to see how one could apply it personally into one's own system.

Anyhow, overall a good composure and budget is met in the movie with just the right amount and measure. I think, although not to top its predecessor- this sequel is decently good, it's quite alright.

AS FOR the sequel to this sequel RAMBO 3 -- I haven't seen it until recently, since the time when it first came out back in 1989, due to the many bad reviews it had received panned by the "critics' - when come to think of it, it ain't so bad either. On the third installment to the Rambo series, Stallone in the role of this one-man army hero, embarked on a personal mission to rescue Richard Crenna's character who's kidnapped as the hostage by russian terrorists who're operating a war against Afghanistan, shot under the great locales of Israel (rather)... the reason winds apparent why the movie is so panned its that the movie came out during in the time when Nancy Reagan (wife of the former US pres Ronald Reagan) is already making up some truce with the russians during the Gorbachev days and its reform - so needless to say (and yet I'd say it such), that the reason for its bad publicity is nothing short of being political. Actually based on the events of the Russian bombing in Afghanistan back in xmas of 1979 (d-day of my very own late grandmother as well), and its peculiar who would have known that shortly by the turn of the century, there are some connecton to this that such an event would cumulate to a yet another terrorist attack that would shatter the world by the 9/11 incident.

Welp, as for them so-called professional "critics" -- they're only getting paid for doing their reviews, so chances are if they'd promote something as 'that good' , that movie might not be that good at all, the reason why their "professional" opinions are hired is to give a boost of publicity for any soggy film, all for the interest of sales. Thus those critics rather should not be given credit but are best left ignored.

entertaining, but terrible.......2005-03-08

Recently I watched this movie, it was fun but filmwise "DUMB". Come on why would anyone love seeing action and explosions instead of "PLOT" and "CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT" like in the amazing First Blood before it.

Rambo - First Blood Part II (Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

One of the best action movies - ever
Are we going to win this time? Abso-mother frocking-lutely
A merciful 2 star rating, Crenna is as good as ever but Stallone's attempt @ Bo Gritz is getting worn!
Dumbo: More Blood Part II
Redemptive "Rambo"

Rambo - First Blood Part II (Special Edition)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone , Richard Crenna , Charles Napier , Steven Berkoff , and Julia Nickson-Soul
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Manufacturer: Live / Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

First Blood
Rambo III
Rambo III (Special Edition)
Cobra
Commando

ASIN: B0000640S2
Release Date: 2002-05-28

Amazon.com

After Rocky and its sequels, Sylvester Stallone cast about for another character that would bring him the same kind of box-office hit--and found it in disillusioned Vietnam vet John Rambo in First Blood, a solid little action thriller. So when all else failed, Stallone went back to the same well in hopes of recapturing the same commercial success. Which this film did. But where First Blood was a no-nonsense thriller that pitted Stallone against a worthy (and not necessarily bad) Brian Dennehy, this one is a sadistic chest-thumper in which Rambo gets to go back to Vietnam: ostensibly, he's there to rescue missing POWs, but in fact the movie was a lame excuse for him to refight the Vietnam War--and win. Audiences ate up the cruel Vietcong (and their Russian manipulators) and Stallone's bogus heroics, but it was strictly by-the-numbers action. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

One of the best action movies - ever.......2006-06-28

In spite of its flaws (and let's face it, Rambo isn't art), this still remains one of the most relentlessly intense, adrenalin-fuelled action pics ever made. I first got into the Rambo series with Rambo III, although I had already seen Part II on televison a couple of years after its theatrical release (I wish I had seen this on the big screen). Initially I didn't think it was anything great, but Rambo has gradually become over the years one of those guilty pleasures of mine (we all have them).
True, the characters are fairly one-dimensional & some of the dialogue & acting is a bit cheesy - but the movie succeeds admirably in those areas that really count in an escapist action film. The look of the film - specifically Stallone as the steel-thewed supersoldier with his trademark bandana & specialised bow with explosive-tipped arrows - plus state-of-the-art pyrotechnics - all allied to well done action sequences & exciting score by Jerry Goldsmith.
Much of the action & violence for which the film is much maligned, is concentrated in the last quarter or so, rather than liberally sprinked throughout, & God knows Rambo's actions seem rather justified after having been a) abandoned by the American government b) captured & tortured by communist soldiers and c) having his compatriot/ally Co Boa killed before his eyes.
This film made Rambo a household name & 80s cultural icon. It was an enormous box-office hit - I believe it took more money its first three weeks alone than any other R-rated picture at that time, as well as being a smash hit here in Australia (as were the other 2 Rambo films). Go ahead: see it!

Are we going to win this time? Abso-mother frocking-lutely.......2006-06-25

I fricking love to be an American and this movie demonstrates why. Guns, bombs, rocket laden helicopters, a hot Asian chick, and MORE GUNS!!!!!! What else do you need in this life? I almost wet myself when I saw this movie at the theater back in the 80s. Rambo is the new archetype of MAN, the new mythological/pedagogical device meant to help us realize our human potential. Come on, let's be honest, we've all been screwed by THE MAN. We've all been sent on errands meant to fail just to make our superiors look competent. We've all been abandoned under direct command. "And these are the people you protect.....with your pain." We're just grocery clerks sent to collect the bill (sorry, Apocalypse Now reference). But do you think I'd care if I was left alone on a mountain top surrounded by a division of North Vietnamese armed with AK-47s all after my arse. Not on your life Baby!!! At least, not since I saw this flick. I know I'd be safe if I had a trusty sidearm, was sprayed with mildew, and had an emaciated countryman whose been incarcerated into a stupor as a sidekick. "You may scream. There is no shame." No!!!! YOU may scream, you Soviet tool, when Rambo rips you limb from limb in a fit of homicidal revenge. Don't bother with that touchy feely pap like Platoon, or Saving Private Ryan, or Schindler's list. Any REAL man knows that this is what war's really about. I can't recommend this movie enough. It absolutely satisfies my lust for a little bit of the ultraviolence. God Bless.

A merciful 2 star rating, Crenna is as good as ever but Stallone's attempt @ Bo Gritz is getting worn!.......2006-05-06

Once again poor Jonny Be Good 'Rambo',
with his steroid encased muscles is
being picked on and once again nearly
everything gets blow up! Even Ahnuld's
Commando is better, and that's not say-
ing much! Instead of a blow-by-blow de-
tail oriented review, I will enliten the
reader with a rating of the entire 8 films
based on the above mentioned premise:
1) Missing in Action, (2) Uncommon Valour,
(3) P.O.W. - The Escape, (4) Missing in
Action II, (5) Rambo: First Blood, (6)
Missing in Action III, (7) Rambo: First
Blood II, (8) Rambo: First Blood III

Dumbo: More Blood Part II.......2006-04-16

First Blood was a fable written in the days of old by none other than William Shakespeare. It was a tale of a simple man overcoming adversary and finding peace within himself.

Well, maybe I'm lying. The simple man was true though. How simple must a man be to use the logic, "If it moves, I kill it." Last time we saw John Rambo he was hauled off to prison for laying waste to a redneck town. And in prison he remains. For the first five minutes, anyway.

Colonel Trautman shows up to offer Rambo an Escape From New York-style ultimatum. If he goes back to 'Nam and takes photos of American P.O.W.s, he'll receive a full pardon for his crimes against the hillbillies.

"Do we get to win this time?", he asks.

"This time, it's up to you!" Trautman says, which basically gives him licence to massacre as many baddies as possible. And massacre he does.

The first movie had a body count of one. Just a single death in the whole film. And it was accidental, caused by the character's own stupidity. Whatever reality First Blood had is well and truly gone now.

The biggest strength of this sequel is its rousing score by Jerry Goldsmith. The original theme is expanded and exploited, with brilliant new ones kicking in at moments of high action. It's exciting stuff and you can only imagine how poor the film would be without it.

George Pan Cosmatos was widely regarded as a hack. There is nothing here to prove otherwise, but his direction is adequate, rather than exceptional. The scene where Rambo emerges from a pile of mud is one of the few moments of directorial spark. By today's standards, it's pretty simple stuff, but back in '85, when the actor Ronald Reagan was still in The White House and the Cold War took it's last few breathes, it became a massive hit.

It's no secret that America lost in Vietnam. And 10 years on the country still felt cheated by the government. It needed a way to get back at them and show who the boss REALLY is. So Rambo returns to kick ass.

Originally written by James Cameron as a script called First Blood II: The Mission, the film was never going to be anything other than pure fantasy. And it is here that the one-man-against-the-world sub-genre started. The villains are cardboard. Steven Berkoff plays the role of a stereotypical Ruskie bad guy with no grace, or charm. His character serves no purpose other than for Rambo to kill him last. No huts, or shacks, exist for any other reason than for Rambo to blow them up. No Viet Cong shows his face and lives.

It's this touch-and-go attitude that prevents the film from becoming truly engaging, or worthy. The standard three act structure is apparent and you can tell that the producers just wanted to churn out a money maker rather than anything serious.

Ted Kotcheff made First Blood about an emotionally scarred man, who wanted no more than what he deserved. Shakespeare it was not, but it was a good movie, even if it didn't set the box office on fire - just everything else. Now George Pan Cosmatos takes the same character and turns him into a disturbed schizophrenic mass murderer. No human emotion, just mindless violence. Although there is room for Rambo's big speech at the end, it's not as clever, nor as moving, as is it was first time around. It sounds so very "American" and disgustingly patriotic.

Still the movie takes millions and Rambo has become an historical icon. Everything about the Reagan era is is this movie. It's superficial, narrow-minded and VERY un-PC. But hey...it was the Eighties.

Redemptive "Rambo".......2004-11-30

"The war and all this may be wrong, but, dammit don't hate your country for it."
"Hey..., I'd die for it."
"Then what do you want?"
"I want..., what they want. And every other guy that came over here & gave everything he had & spilled his guts, wants. For our country to love us, as much as we love it. That is what I want."
- Rambo speaks, to his Colonel, as the voice of every American Veteran, (past, present, & future) & reminds Americans & the world over that freedom has a price thats worth fighting for, but, sometimes the simple personal rewards are elusive in "Rambo: First Blood Part II"

Thanks to the big screen & video success of "First Blood", Rambo lives on this second installment, thats just as good as the previous film, but, tends to get quite cartoonish towards the films end.

Serving a five year plus jail sentence for the trashing of the town in "First Blood", "Rambo" opens with the former Green Beret hammering rocks in the local prison. That doesn't last long as Colonel Sam Trautman, Rambo's former CO in the military, pays him a visit & offering him a sweet deal.

Satelite recon had picked up some unexpected movement in the P.O.W. camp that Rambo escaped from in '71. The camp is supposed to be abandoned, but, may still be holding some of Rambo's former P.O.W.'s. Rambo's mission is to sneak into the camp and take pictures & document actions of the camp's activities and report back to base. Trautman & American Forces would step in and invade the camp reclaiming & bringing home the P.O.W.'s. This would also lead to Rambo being reinstated in the special forces and, if the mission is a success, a Presidential Pardon on his prison record, with Rambo walking away a free man.

Rambo reluctantly accepts the challenge, but, upon sneaking into the camp he does indeed find many American Troops still being held hostage beaten, malnutritioned, and one breath away from death. Rambo screws his Kodak moment, taking matters into his own hands. If you've watched "First Blood" you know what happens next.

Filmed entirely in Mexico, "Rambo" is a different film than the first, but retains and expands the violence quotient. Stallone exchanged working in weather that was ten to fifteen below zero & wading in water thats 39 degrees farenheit (remember the scene in "First Blood" where the National Guard is out looking for Rambo who was all along hiding amongst the rocks of the river? Yeah, that water was 39 degrees farenheit. Thats cold ass water to be hiding in). Instead, for "Rambo", Sly worked in weather that reached 110 degrees and, in one scene where Rambo is captured by the Viet Cong, is dipped, from the neck down, in pig slop complete with real live leeches (the Russian General uses Rambo's knife to pick one off his chest. Gross).

The helicopter battle at the end of the film was pretty dangerous. The helicopters flew so low, that in one quick shot of the Russian copter flying over one of the huts, the copter takes the roof off! Director George P. Cosmatos left the scene in to show the danger & peril of the battle.

Stallone's daily schedule was getting up and working out for two to three hours in the early morning, a ten to twelve hour shooting day, & a two to three hour workout at night. All told, Stallone's average work week with the workouts included was approx. 80 to 90 hours a week. Its also said that Stallone was at his leanest, practically resculpturing his body for this movie, as well as, for "Rocky IV".

"Rambo: First Blood Part II" was released for the Memorial Day weekend of 1985, and proceeded to punch a hole in American pop-culture. Everything from toys, bubble gum cards, & a cartoon series were produced to cash in on the success of the film.

As for the S.E. DVD, this is definitely the definitive edition of the film (the recent Ultimate Edition is a dissapointment). Features include a retrospective of the film from Cosmatos, Stallone, Richard Crenna & others, to trailers, an audio commentary from the director, DTS audio soundtrack with Dolby Digital & surround. Rambo is not expendable and neither is this DVD.

Average customer rating:

One of the best action movies - ever
Are we going to win this time? Abso-mother frocking-lutely
A merciful 2 star rating, Crenna is as good as ever but Stallone's attempt @ Bo Gritz is getting worn!
Dumbo: More Blood Part II
Redemptive "Rambo"

Rambo: First Blood Part II
Starring: Sylvester Stallone , Richard Crenna , Charles Napier , Steven Berkoff , and Julia Nickson-Soul
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Manufacturer: Live / Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Combat | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

First Blood
Rambo III
Rambo III (Special Edition)
Cobra
Commando

ASIN: 0784011214
Release Date: 1998-10-21

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

One of the best action movies - ever.......2006-06-28

Are we going to win this time? Abso-mother frocking-lutely.......2006-06-25

A merciful 2 star rating, Crenna is as good as ever but Stallone's attempt @ Bo Gritz is getting worn!.......2006-05-06

Dumbo: More Blood Part II.......2006-04-16

Redemptive "Rambo".......2004-11-30

Average customer rating:

Rambo: First Blood Part II [Region 2]
Starring: Sylvester Stallone , Richard Crenna , Charles Napier , Steven Berkoff , and Julia Nickson-Soul
Director: George P. Cosmatos
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00004VY23

Average customer rating:

Rambo -Complete Collector's Set

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
ASIN: B000EMUCTI

Average customer rating:

Rambo: First Blood Part II [Blu-ray]

Manufacturer: Lionsgate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

Action & Adventure | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

General | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000E1ZK9G

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