RAMBO: LAST BLOOD

a film by Adrian Grunberg released through Lionsgate in 2019

The distinguishing characteristic of Rambo: Last Blood?  It's one of the most disappointing movies of all time.  After four solid entries, Stallone should have known better.  Based on its troubled production history, he leapt at the chance to revisit the character before he got too old, without thinking through the harm that could result.  John Rambo finally came home at the end of the fourth movie.  But there is no closure.  We lose the on-going tension between Rambo loving his country, but feeling alienated from it; now the focus is on family.  So when his niece is captured by Mexican drug lords we end up with a slap-dash mélange of Patriot Games and, yes, Home Alone.  Still, there are some great moments as Rambo plays detective  and finds the necessary leverage on unwary slime.
 
While the body count may be lower, the violence reaches even higher levels of gruesomeness.  Maybe—just maybe—these guys deserve it.  But should we be reveling in it?  If we are, is that bad?  And if we are not...then do we really have a hero to cheer anymore?
 
This one is for die-hard fans with a strong stomach.
 

★★☆☆☆

Best for ages 18+

FEATURING

SYLVESTER STALLONE, PAZ VEGA, SERGIO PERIS-MENCHETA, AND ADRIANA BARRAZA

© 2023 Ian C. Bloom