Follow @screenit

"RAMBO" (2008) (Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz) (R) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Heavy Extreme Extreme *Moderate Extreme Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Moderate Minor Extreme None Extreme Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Moderate Moderate Mild Heavy Extreme QUICK TAKE: Action: A Vietnam vet and a group of mercenaries attempt to rescue humanitarian aid workers who've been abducted by sadistic Burmese soldiers. PLOT: John Rambo (SYLVESTER STALLONE) is a Vietnam vet who hasn't lived in America for a long time. Now residing in Thailand, he does various odd jobs, such as snake wrangling and transporting people in his river boat. The latter has led a group of humanitarian aid workers -- led by Sarah Miller (JULIE BENZ) and Dr. Michael Burnett (PAUL SCHULZE) -- to him, hoping he'll take them to Burma where a decades old civil war still rages on, leaving many villagers in dire need of outside help. Rambo wants no part of their effort, but eventually agrees once Sarah convinces him. When he saves them from river pirates via the use of deadly force en route, he draws the condemnation of Michael, and thinks his time with them is over after dropping them off. Little does he realize, however, that they've run afoul of sadistic soldiers working for the equally abominable Major Tint (MAUNG MAUNG KHIN). He's determined to wipe out anyone he believes might be involved with the Karen rebels who are trying to undermine him and the government, and thus he kills some in the group and abducts the survivors, including Sarah and Michael. An American pastor then contacts Rambo, desiring him to transport a group of mercenaries -- consisting of Lewis (GRAHAM McTAVISH), School Boy (MATTHEW MARSDEN), Diaz (REY GALLEGOS), Reese (JAKE LA BOTZ) and En-Joo (TIM KANG) -- on a rescue mission. Rambo and Lewis clash, with the latter wanting the former to stay with the boat while they do their thing, but the vet takes matters into his own hands when things go awry. Severely outnumbered by the Burmese soldiers, he and the mercenaries then set out to rescue Sarah and the others. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're fans of the first "Rambo" films, anyone in the cast, or war-related action pics, they just might. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R For strong graphic bloody violence, sexual assaults, grisly images and language. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: SYLVESTER STALLONE plays a stoic Vietnam vet who now lives in Thailand, doing odd jobs, and not wanting much to do with anyone, especially some humanitarian workers who want transport to Burma. He changes his mind, however, and then assists the mercenaries in a rescue mission of those workers. Along the way, he kills many bad soldiers, and uses some strong profanity. JULIE BENZ plays a humanitarian aid worker who convinces Rambo to transport her and the others into Burma to help those in a small village. She must then contend with an attack on the village and being abducted by the soldiers. PAUL SCHULZE plays her doctor companion who is shocked by Rambo's use of deadly force, but eventually resorts to that when needed. GRAHAM McTAVISH plays the lead mercenary who isn't happy to be on the rescue mission, doesn't like Rambo, kills various bad soldiers, and use strong profanity. MATTHEW MARSDEN plays another mercenary who's quite handy with a powerful sniper weapon, and assists in rescuing Sarah. MAUNG MAUNG KHIN plays the sadistic military officer responsible for the deaths of many villagers and destruction of their villages, and the abduction of Sarah and others. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: Here's a brief summary of the content found in this R-rated action pic. Profanity consists of at least 37 "f" words, while other expletives and colorful phrases are uttered. Some captive women are sexually assaulted and there may be fleeting images of bare breasts, while a male soldier takes a boy into his quarters (presumably for homosexual behavior). Violence consists of a great deal of people being murdered and otherwise killed by a variety of means, much of that with very bloody and/or gory results (including severed heads, limbs and more). Such footage and moments of potential peril might be unsettling or suspenseful to viewers, but much of it goes so far over the top as to turn absurd. All/some of the action and other behavior might be enticing for some kids to imitate, while various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes. Characters smoke and/or drink, with some of the latter appearing intoxicated. Some tense family material is also present. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. For those concerned with bright flashes of light on the screen, there's some of that from lightning. For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there are varying amounts of camera movement in the film, including some bouncy, handheld footage. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE One mercenary has a beer. The mercenaries talk of Meth labs and other drug use (of others, not them). Various soldiers drink and appear to be intoxicated. A bad officer drinks. BLOOD/GORE The opening montage shows quick, news style footage (brief and split second views) of dead bodies (bloody and otherwise gross looking), one or more severed heads, etc. Tint and his soldiers raid a village, abducting some of the younger people, and shooting others dead (with some bloody results). We see dead and bloody pirates that Rambo previously killed (saving Sarah and the others). He then pours gasoline on their boat to burn up the evidence, and the gas mixes with the blood on the deck. We see village kids who are missing limbs from previous, unseen violence. A mortar explosion suddenly rocks a village. More follow that, as does machine gun fire from soldiers, with people dying and body parts flying as a result. Soldiers stomp down onto some, jab bayonets into others, hit some with machetes, and continue firing machine guns into men, women, and children, while also hitting some with a flamethrower (all with varying degrees of bloody and gory results). We see quick, black and white flashback images of violence from the earlier "Rambo" films, including him killing others via various means (gunfire, arrows, knife, explosions), being subjected to shock torture, and such. Much of that has varying bloody and/or gory results. The mercenaries come across a village that was earlier wiped out by the soldiers, and there are fly-covered bodies everywhere, as well as that of pigs and, we hear, of dogs. We also see a severed human head (also covered in flies) stuck on the end of a pole, while hanged bodies are also seen. Rambo kills several soldiers, and his arrow shots have varying degrees of bloody and gory results, including some views of arrows through heads and other body parts. We see a wild boar feeding on the feet of a strung up and presumably dead captive (with bloody results). A soldier is stabbed, including repeatedly in the side (with bloody results). Acting as a sniper with a high-powered weapon, School Boy shoots several guards dead, with bloody results. A bad officer drags Sarah back to his quarters (presumably to rape her), but Rambo grabs him by the throat, squeezing hard enough to draw blood. Rambo then yanks out part of that man's throat, with even bloodier results. School Boy shoots more soldiers with his sniper weapon, including a graphic head shot. Lewis steps on a mine, and the resultant explosion blows him aside, wounding and bloodying his leg. Rambo decapitates one soldier, and then uses a large caliber machine gun to shoot many soldiers, killing and shredding many of them (with extremely bloody and gory results). Mercenaries then open fire on the soldiers as well, killing even more. More fighting breaks out, including one stabbing a knife into another, and Michael repeatedly bashing one soldier's head with a rock, killing him. Mortar fire from rebels then lands in the melee, killing and dismembering more people. A military boat then shoots its large machine gun and flamethrower into the action, killing more, while Rambo shoots back at it with his large machine gun (he's hit in the shoulder in the process, with some bloody results). Rebels then fire a rocket into the military boat, causing it to explode. More killing occurs (including a decapitation), while Rambo stabs Tint in the gut with his knife, partially disemboweling him (with very bloody and gory results, including as the body rolls down a hill). DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Major Tint and his soldiers have bad attitudes for killing people, wiping out their villages, abducting humanitarian workers, torturing people, sexually assaulting and otherwise degrading women, and more. Rambo initially wants nothing to do with helping Sarah and her team (but changes his mind). Lewis has a bad attitude toward most everything, but particularly Rambo who he belittles. Some pirates stop Rambo and his passengers, aiming guns at them, and wanting Sarah (presumably for sexual purposes). As a result, Rambo shoots all of them dead. One mercenary jokes that he likes another's sister, with that guy then joking that she likes "retards" (referring to the first guy). FRIGHTENING SCENES Scenes listed under "Violence" and/or "Blood/Gore" may be unsettling or suspenseful to younger viewers and/or those with low tolerance levels for such material (but others may find such material as progressively over the top to the point of turning into a live-action cartoon of sorts, albeit a very violent one). An officer throws a mine or similar explosive into a wet field, resulting in an explosion. He then tosses in several more, while soldiers force local captives to run through the field. One steps on a mine and dies in the explosion, while soldiers mow down the rest with machine guns. Rambo captures and then bags a large cobra. Later, we see a local man in a ring with two cobras (as part of a show for the tourists). They strike at, but don't hit him. We also see Rambo place a mouse in a cage with a constrictor of some sort, but don't see the snake get it. While transporting Sarah and the others up river, Rambo spots some pirates at a small port on the bank side. He tries to quietly pass by, but they spot and then give chase, firing one warning shot. Rambo stops his boat and the pirates pull up alongside them, aiming their guns at Rambo and the others, and demanding that they have Sarah. Rambo tries to convince them to take money, but when they don't seem interested in giving up Sarah, Rambo grabs a gun and shoots all of the pirates dead. When Michael chastises him for that, Rambo grabs him by the throat, pinning him back against part of the boat. The mercenaries come across a village that was earlier wiped out by the soldiers, and there are fly-covered bodies everywhere, as well as that of pigs and, we hear, of dogs. We also see a severed human head (also covered in flies) stuck on the end of a pole, while hanged bodies are also seen. The mercenaries take cover as a truck of soldiers arrives, repeating the mine dash from before (where mines are thrown into water, and the captives are forced to walk/run through that water). When they reach the other side, soldiers fire warning shots near them, to make them go back again, with one kicking one captive in the head. Just then, arrows land in all of the soldiers, killing them (with one falling onto a submerged mine and exploding). The arrow shots have varying degrees of bloody and gory results, including some views of arrows through heads and other body parts. When Lewis isn't happy about Rambo's intervention, Rambo aims his arrow directly at Lewis' face, while the other mercenaries aim their guns at Rambo. Burmese soldiers watch some (clothed) captive women who are forced to dance in front of them. One throws his cigarette at them, another his drink, and then one slaps one woman on her clothed butt. Things then become more aggressive, with a soldier throwing one woman to the stage, then into the crowd where one is slapped to the ground and all of them are grabbed and sexually assaulted by the soldiers (with possible fleeting glimpses of bare breasts -- from a distance, and at night). Rambo and other mercenaries slowly infiltrate the soldiers' compound at night, in the rain, killing various soldiers in the process of attempting to rescue Sarah and the others. A bad officer drags Sarah back to his quarters (presumably to rape her), but Rambo grabs him by the throat, squeezing hard enough to draw blood. Rambo then yanks out part of that man's throat, with even bloodier results. Rambo, the mercenaries, and those they've rescued run through the jungle back toward their boat, all as the bad soldiers and their dogs pursue them. GUNS/WEAPONS Handguns/Machine guns/Sniper rifle/Knives/Mortars/Rockets/Bomb/Flamethrowers/Arrows: Carried and/or used to threaten, wound or kill others and/or cause property damage. See "Violence" for details. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "F*ck off, okay?" "F*ck the world," "I want to see you f*cking fools," "F*ck you," "What the f*ck am I doing here?" "F*cked up," "F*ck sake," "You got to be f*cking kidding me," "F*ck f*cking with..." "F*ck is that?" "We're f*cked," "F*cking get up," "Would you shut the f*ck up?" "Knock off that sh*t," "Ancient piece of sh*t," "Bullsh*t," "We don't need this sh*t," "Puss-nuts," "Shut up," "Get up, whore," "Retards," "Moron," "Right up your ass," "You really are an uptight bastard" and "Who are you, boat-man?" Parts or all of the fighting, stunts and other action may be enticing for some kids to imitate. Rambo fishes using a bow and arrow, and we see him retrieve a fish with an arrow through it. Various mercenaries have tattoos, as do some of the soldiers. Rambo spits. JUMP SCENES A mortar explosion suddenly rocks a village. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) An extreme amount of action-oriented and suspenseful music plays in the film. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 37 "f" words, 15 "s" words, 2 slang terms using female genitals ("c*nt" and "puss"), 1 using male ones ("d*ck"), 2 asses, 2 S.O.B.s, 1 hell, 3 uses of "G-damn" and 1 use of "Jesus" and "Oh God." SEX/NUDITY In an opening montage showing quick, news style footage of Burmese atrocities, we may see the bare butt of one victim. A soldier is on top of a woman during a village attack, apparently ready to rape her, but there's no nudity and the act is not seen. Burmese soldiers watch some (clothed) captive women who are forced to dance in front of them. One throws his cigarette at them, another his drink, and then one slaps one woman on her clothed butt. Things then become more aggressive, with a soldier throwing one woman to the stage, then into the crowd where one is slapped to the ground and all of them are grabbed and sexually assaulted by the soldiers (with possible fleeting glimpses of bare breasts -- from a distance, and at night). A bad male officer takes a boy back to his quarters (presumably to force him into some sort of homosexual activity). SMOKING Tint smokes a number of times, while a mercenary smokes once, and some soldiers smoke. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Some village mothers are upset when soldiers drag away and/or murder their children, but there's little footage of that. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT The Burmese Civil War. Genocide. Humanitarian aid workers. Vietnam vets. Rambo asks Michael if they're taking weapons to Burma. When the doctor says no, Rambo says that they then won't be changing anything. He then adds that nothing changes. Michael's condemnation of Rambo saving their lives (and probably preventing Sarah from being gang-raped) by killing pirates, saying that no murder is justified. We see village kids who are missing limbs from previous, unseen violence. Rambo's comment that when one is pushed, killing is as easy as breathing. Rambo's comment to live for nothing or die for something. VIOLENCE The opening montage shows quick, news style footage (brief and split second views) of dead bodies (bloody and otherwise gross looking), one or more severed heads, machine guns being fired, and soldiers kicking and otherwise striking villagers. There's also talk of rape. An officer throws a mine or similar explosive into a wet field, resulting in an explosion. He then tosses in several more, while soldiers force local captives to run through the field. One steps on a mine and dies in the explosion, while soldiers mow down the rest with machine guns. Tint and his soldiers raid a village, abducting some of the younger people, and shooting others dead (with some bloody results). While transporting Sarah and the others up river, Rambo spots some pirates at a small port on the bank side. He tries to quietly pass by, but they spot and then give chase, firing one warning shot. Rambo stops his boat and the pirates pull up alongside them, aiming their guns at Rambo and the others, and demanding that they have Sarah. Rambo tries to convince them to take money, but when they don't seem interested in giving up Sarah, Rambo grabs a gun and shoots all of the pirates dead. When Michael chastises him for that, Rambo grabs him by the throat, pinning him back against part of the boat. Rambo pours gasoline on dead pirates and their boat, sets that on fire, and the boat then explodes. A mortar explosion suddenly rocks a village. More follow that, as does machine gun fire from soldiers, with people dying and body parts flying as a result. Soldiers stomp down onto some, jab bayonets into others, hit some with machetes, and continue firing machine guns into men, women, and children, while also hitting some with a flamethrower (all with varying degrees of bloody and gory results). During this, Sarah is blown or falls down into some water where she's captured and dragged off, while children are dragged off and we see what appears to be the beginning of a rape (the man is on top of the woman, but there's no nudity). We see quick, black and white flashback images of violence from the earlier "Rambo" films, including him killing others via various means (gunfire, arrows, knife, explosions), being subjected to shock torture, and such. Much of that has varying bloody and/or gory results. The mercenaries take cover as a truck of soldiers arrives, repeating the mine dash from before (where mines are thrown into water, and the captives are forced to walk/run through that water). When they reach the other side, soldiers fire warning shots near them, to make them go back again, with one kicking one captive in the head. Just then, arrows land in all of the soldiers, killing them (with one falling onto a submerged mine and exploding). The arrow shots have varying degrees of bloody and gory results, including some views of arrows through heads and other body parts. When Lewis isn't happy about Rambo's intervention, Rambo aims his arrow directly at Lewis' face, while the other mercenaries aim their guns at Rambo. Burmese soldiers watch some (clothed) captive women who are forced to dance in front of them. One throws his cigarette at them, another his drink, and then one slaps one woman on her clothed butt. Things then become more aggressive, with a soldier throwing one woman to the stage, then into the crowd where one is slapped to the ground and all of them are grabbed and sexually assaulted by the soldiers (with possible fleeting glimpses of bare breasts -- from a distance, and at night). A guard is killed with a knife. A soldier is stabbed, including repeatedly in the side (with bloody results). Acting as a sniper with a high-powered weapon, School Boy shoots several guards dead, with bloody results. A bad officer drags Sarah back to his quarters (presumably to rape her), but Rambo grabs him by the throat, squeezing hard enough to draw blood. Rambo then yanks out part of that man's throat, with even bloodier results. Lewis throws Michael to the ground. School Boy shoots more soldiers with his sniper weapon, including a graphic head shot, all as those men are about to shoot Rambo and Sarah (with Rambo diving in an effort to cover and protect Sarah). Lewis steps on a mine, and the resultant explosion blows him aside, wounding and bloodying his leg. Rambo leaves a smaller explosive on a huge, unexploded bomb from WWII. When bad soldiers come across that, it explodes, killing them and their tracking dogs, and destroys much of the surrounding jungle, with the shock wave knocking Rambo down a long ways off. Soldiers kick and hit captured mercenaries, including Tint hitting them with a rod that he also pushes into Lewis' leg wound, causing him great pain. Soldiers then aim their guns at them, prepared to execute them, but they're distracted from doing so. Rambo decapitates one soldier, and then uses a large caliber machine gun to shoot many soldiers, killing and shredding many of them (with extremely bloody and gory results). Mercenaries then open fire on the soldiers as well, killing even more. More fighting breaks out, including one stabbing a knife into another, and Michael repeatedly bashing one soldier's head with a rock, killing him. Mortar fire from rebels then lands in the melee, killing and dismembering more people. A military boat then shoots its large machine gun and flamethrower into the action, killing more, while Rambo shoots back at it with his large machine gun (he's hit in the shoulder in the process, with some bloody results). Rebels then fire a rocket into the military boat, causing it to explode. More killing occurs (including a decapitation), while Rambo stabs Tint in the gut with his knife, partially disemboweling him (with very bloody and gory results, including as the body rolls down a hill). Reviewed January 23, 2008 / Posted January 25, 2008

Other new and recent reviews include:

Privacy Statement and Terms of Use and Disclaimer
By entering this site you acknowledge to having read and agreed to the above conditions.

All Rights Reserved,
©1996-2016 Screen It, Inc.