Review - First Blood

"First Blood" is an action/adventure with dramatic elements, and is based on the novel of the same title by David Morrell.
In the beginning of the movie, we meet John Rambo, a former Vietnam veteran searching for an old buddy from his platoon. Upon learning of his friend's death due to cancer, he wanders into the nearby town, where he is picked up by the sheriff. After a second encounter leads to Rambo's arrest...he is treated roughly by the sheriff's men...and escapes into the woods. Hunted by the sheriff and his growing posse, they learn that they are going after a combat-tested Green Beret...and he will not go quietly.
Despite being an "action" film, there is a great deal of character drama involved in this movie. Rambo is a complex character...he is strong, quiet, focused...but haunted. He is both a victim of his situation and the cause of it at the same time. Sylvester Stallone's portrayal of Rambo is one of the iconic movie roles of our time. He brings a sympathetic undertone to the character...and even though we know that he has to face punishment for what he does in the movie...you still feel sorry for what drove him to it. The most powerful part of this movie is the underlying subplot involving the Vietnam veterans and their return to this country after the war. Rambo himself points out; "Back there, I could fly a gunship, I could drive a tank. I was in charge of million dollar equipment. Back here, I can't even hold a job parking cars!"
It is unique to see a movie that actually holds its hero accountable for his actions. In most action movies (sad to say, but the two sequels to this one come instantly to mind), not only does the hero blow up half the free world and kill three-quarters of its inhabitants...he usually walks scott-free afterwards. It is also interesting to note that Rambo dies in the novel, while he lives in the movie version. This touched off several points of controversy...including a key actor leaving production.
For a powerful and entertaining movie with a relevant message about the treatment of returning soldiers, "First Blood" delivers.
Starring - Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy, Chris Mulkey, and David Caruso. Directed by Ted Kotcheff.
Time - 1 hour, 37 minutes. Rated - R (Violence, language, brief nudity, adult situations)