Rambo: Last Blood

Brutal revenge abetted by the absence of the rule of law — not a single policeman or even a police car was in sight while the killings were going on.

Technical assessment: 3.5 ★★★✬✩
Moral assessment: 2 ★★✩✩✩
CINEMA rating: V 18
MTRCB rating: R 16

John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), the Vietnam war soldier haunted by the brutalities of war, is a recluse in a ranch in Arizona. With him are Maria (Adriana Barraza) and her granddaughter Gabrielle (Yvette Monreal), whom Rambo has taken in as an adopted daughter. He builds an arsenal in an underground tunnel in his ranch for when a cataclysmic showdown happens. And it does happen when Gabrielle is forced into prostitution in Mexico where she goes to find her estranged father and against the objection of both Rambo and her grandmother. Rambo rescues Gabrielle from the prostitution ring led by brothers Victor and Hugo Martinez (Oscar Jaeneda and Sergio Peris-Mencheta). But she dies of drug overdose on the way back to the ranch, sending Rambo on a rampage. Aided by journalist Carmen (Paz Vega) whose sister was kidnapped and killed by the same syndicate, Rambo lures the ring to his underground tunnel and slays them all.

Beheading, dismemberment, explosion, blood and gore in macabre proportions — all in keeping with the Rambo franchise storyline. The movie shows in the most gruesome way how the savagery of war and conflict destroys people and relationships. Rambo is post-traumatic stress disorder manifested. The aerial view of the peaceful Arizona plains only heightens the contrast between Rambo’s safe haven and the battle he fights within. Stallone is surrounded by an able support cast, Barraza in particular. But in a Rambo movie, the audience hardly takes notice of the acting. It is Rambo’s running amok that makes for a Rambo movie.

The movie is infused with stereotypes that are not flattering to Mexico, leading some to remark that it provides munitions to the US’ border wars that have caused the separation of many immigrant families. The country is depicted as drug-laden, ruled by gangs and syndicates, and a no man’s land. The movie also has an abundance of images showing the mental and emotional anguish of war, and the pain and suffering inflicted on the families who lose their loved ones to violence. What we find most disturbing is the running theme of revenge in its most brutal sense and abetted by the absence of the rule of law. Not a single policeman or even a police car was in sight while the killings were going on. For extreme violence and lawlessness, the movie is not fit for young viewers. We caution viewers. — MOE

Director: Adrian Grunberg Lead Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Yvette Monreal, Adriana Barraza, Paz Vega, Óscar Jaenada, Sergio Peris-Mencheta Screenwriters: Matthew Cirulnick, Sylvester Stallone Producers: Avi Lerner, Yariv Lerner, Steven Paul, Kevin King Templeton, Les Weldon Editors: Carsten Kurpanek, Todd E. Miller Musical Director: Brian Tyler Cinematographer: Brendan Galvin Genre: Action Distributor: Viva Communications Location: Bulgaria, Spain Running Time: 1 hr 45 min