Sunday, June 2, 2013

Rambo II (1985)

Rambo II is an action thriller with a heart, if little brain. Clocking in at a quick 97 minutes, we follow Sylvester Stallone, as he goes on a deep, dark, mission to save left Vietnam POWs. While the situation is pure fantasy, its hard not to admire the well-done action scenes and heart-felt one-liners.

A box office smash, Rambo II, took in over $300 million.

Acting honors, such as they are, go to Charles L. Napier, for his slimey, CYA, backstabbing, bureaucrat, "Murdock". His reaction to Rambo's Line "Murdock, I'm coming to get YOU" is almost worthy of an Oscar. Also, good are Steven Berkoff, an the sinister KGB Colonel, and Richard Crenna as upright former Commander, Col. Trautman (Incredibly, Kirk Douglas had been cast in the role, but disliked the ending, and backed out at the last moment!).

Further adding to the fun are Goldsmith's upbeat score and some great lines by James Cameron, including:

Trautman: Then what is it you want?
Rambo: I want, what they want, and every other guy who came over here and spilled his guts and gave everything he had, wants! For our country to love us as much as we love it! That's what I want!
Trautman: How will you live, John?
Rambo: Day by day.

Murdock: And if I were you... I'd never make the mistake of bringing this subject up again.
Trautman: Oh you're the one who's making the mistake.
Murdock: Yeah? What mistake?
Trautman: Rambo.

Lt. Col. Podovsky: [while torturing Rambo]: You may scream. There is no shame.