First Blood

At last, I saw the entire movie from start to finish today. (I mean even with the beginning, when John goes to the lake and asks about his dead friend). What else can I say? Rambo is a cult classic and, right after Rocky, it is Sylvester Stallone's most famous role. Contrary to the sequels, the first movie is more focused on survival in the wilderness and post-traumatic experiences from the Vietnam War and that makes the first movie the best one of the trilogy. Amazing music from Jerry Goldsmith and wild, yet beautiful landscapes (coincidentally, the plot is set in the state of Maine, birth place of the wizard of horror, Stephen King) raise the overall effect to 5 stars. (26/10/2006)

During my prepubescent years, the first Rambo was, for me, a pure action-filled masterpiece with almost an artistic psyche, making me appreciate myself for having it as my favorite from the entire series. And although it no longer makes sense to expect anything more from the prologue of a sad killer's story, John is still an unquestionable action idol for me. (17/03/2006)

A great show throughout, except for the ending when Sly flexes his musculature, machine gun in hand, giving a hint of what's to come in the following episodes. Otherwise, Stallone is very believable, and in the moments when he wages his uneven guerrilla war hidden somewhere in the woods, it’s impossible not to root for him. (27/09/2003)

This is a kind of timid oscillation between action and psychological thriller, which can be watched with a certain amount of nostalgia - even though the action parts have become outdated and the psychology therein has never been a focal point. It’s a neat little monument to the 1980s that is still worthy of maintenance. (11/08/2010)

Today this film is an action classic, but it failed to dazzle me enough to draw me into the plot. And that's despite the well crafted and brisk screenplay and the great Sylvester Stallone, whose role as a retired war hero fighting against a handful of lawmen deserves nothing but thumbs up and admiration for his successful traps. But when the film leaves the dark and suspenseful environment of the woods and Rambo isn't hiding behind a tree with his hunting knife, it's not that good and the ending didn't feel very spectacular or original. In any case, there is almost no boredom and the action is more than satisfying, so 80%. (14/06/2011)