Rambo 4 a.k.a. John Rambo (2008) - Movie Review

Rambo is back, after twenty very long years, indeed. Rambo 4 which also known as John Rambo not only starring Sylvester Stallone as the lead actor, but the film is written, directed and produced by Sylvester Stallone as well.

This new film is the only film in Rambo series that does not feature Rambo’s friend and mentor, Colonel Trautman, played by Richard Crenna, who died of cancer in 2003. Rambo 4 is also the only film in the franchise not to be musically scored by Jerry Goldsmith who, ironically also died of cancer in 2004.

SPOILER WARNING: Plot and/or ending details follow.

In Rambo 4, Vietnam War veteran John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) lives a peaceful life as a fisherman cum boatman. He has long traded in his guns for a fishing reel. One day, human rights missionaries Sarah Miller (Julie Benz) and Michael Bennett (Paul Schulze) show up asking Rambo to take them to Salween by boat so they can get some much needed food and medical supplies to the desperate Karen tribe.

Sarah Miller (Julie Benz) and John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) in Rambo 4
Sarah Miller (Julie Benz) and John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) in Rambo 4

Initially Rambo refuses to bring Sarah and the missionaries to Burma, but after much persuasion by Sarah, Rambo somehow realizes that these refugees will most certainly die without aid. After two weeks, Pastor Arthur Marsh (Ken Howard) arrives with a message that the aid workers never returned from their mission into the jungle, and the embassies refuse to help Marsh and his fellow missionaries find their missing friends. Pastor Marsh knows that Sarah, Michael, and the rest of the missing missionaries are being held hostage by the Burmese army and therefore, he has hired a group of mercenaries for a rescue mission and needs Rambo to guide them to the village the army resides.

Expect lots of violence and blood, although I can say it’s too hard to really diffentiate the amount of blood shed between John Rambo and Sweeney Todd. Both movies are just enjoyable despite the violence and gory scenes.

My ratings: 7 out of 10. Watch this if you are a Rambo fan and have watched all the movies in the Rambo series, although there’s almost no direct connection between the three previous films and Rambo 4 a.k.a. John Rambo. The movie could have been a lot better if Sylvester Stallone didn’t take on too many roles like he did in this movie.

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4 comments ↓

#1 Vampire Bats on 02.07.08 at 8:30 am

I enjoyed the movie. Most people didn’t like it, but I guess I am one of the few that did :)

I also thought that the movie did feel a little too short.

#2 Komodo Dragon on 02.10.08 at 7:57 pm

I also enjoyed the movie ;) But it did seem a little bit too violent, and short.

#3 james pong on 02.10.08 at 8:17 pm

Yeah, the movie is kind of too short with not much storyline. And it’s definitely more violent than the three previous Rambo movies. Though I am a fan of Rambo, I think there definitely won’t be a Rambo 5. It’s the end of era for Rambo.

#4 Vampire Bats on 02.13.08 at 12:23 pm

Yeah I would be surprised if another Rambo came out. I think if another one or another Rocky came out, it wouldn’t sell.

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