Customer Reviews

Rambo Collector's Pack

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If there's an action movie series that's a big ol' honkin' slice of Americana, the RAMBO saga is it! This is where the unstoppable-one-man-army action flick trend got its start! Sly finally finds another role to fall back on besides Rocky, and he even gets the opportunity to co-write the scripts to all three movies!

'First Blood' features some of the greatest moments of action-movie overacting ever caught on celluloid! The tense verbal spars between Col. Trautman (Richard Crenna) and Sheriff Teasle (Brian Dennehy) regarding their efforts to capture Rambo are just plain dripping with hammy machismo! And Sly displays his acting range as Rambo reveals his softer side to the Colonel... it's so touching! It *sniff* gets me *sob* right here, y'know?

'First Blood' novelist David Morrell's commentary track features plenty of anecdotes regarding the production of the flick, and the notion of the RAMBO saga as a modern myth, a distinction that the STAR WARS trilogy's been credited with as well. But his main focus is on the differences between his novel and the movie, and other changes that were made. Probably the most notable change was making our lovable one-man army a more sympathetic character!

Now on to 'First Blood Part II', featuring Johnny's return to Vietnam to pick up a few American POWs. This time he's been double-crossed, and he's going up against hundreds of Charlies and several Soviet troops flying a super-sized winged doom-chopper and his only weaponry is a big military knife and bow with explosive-tipped arrows. Needless to say, those Charlies & Soviets don't stand a chance! With the help of legendary writer/director James Cameron, Sly manages to script one of The Gipper's all-time top movie faves!

Director George Cosmatos' commentary track is full of his memories of the making of part II, with quite a few anecdotes & behind-the-scenes comments. He really goes into detail for the first half of the movie, then kind of trails off and adds only a few things here & there in the second half.

Finally, there's 'Rambo III'. If you thought our hero's previous hell-raisings were ridiculously implausible, you ain't seen nothin' yet! Speaking of raising hell, this particular outing reflected a happier era when we were helping Afghanistan fight a war, instead of fighting against them. It's amazing the difference several years makes, ain't it? Anyway, Johnny's out to rescue his mentor Col. Trautman from a Soviet stronghold in Afghanistan. With the aid of a few of the natives, Rambo manages to rescue the Colonel & pretty much take out the entire Soviet occupation force single-handedly. The climactic tank-versus-Doom-Chopper game of chicken is easily one of action cinema's most unbelievable scenes. It's a moment that's so incredibly over-the-top, I'm pretty sure it's the main reason there's never been any subsequent RAMBO flicks. I mean, how do you top the hero surviving a head-on tank/chopper collision? Yeah, see what I mean?

Director Peter MacDonald's commentary track, much like Cosmatos' in II, features plenty of behind-the-scenes anecdotes and great & not-so-great memories. He also kinda trails off in the second half, with only the occasional thought here & there.

The RAMBO Trilogy discs include your basic special features: aside from the aforementioned commentary tracks, there's also theatrical trailers, text about each movie's respective cast & crew, & production notes. Oh yeah, let's not forget way superior picture quality & sound compared to its VHS predecessors, and the widecreen presentation! 'First Blood Part II' features a documentary that basically compares the trilogy's similarities to the basic aspects of ancient mythology, which Morrell also touches on in the 'First Blood' secondary track. Definitely a must-see for the Joseph Campbell aficionado!

The only extras I didn't much care for were the featurettes for 'First Blood' and 'Rambo III', which were basically glorified trailers. Other than that, this set's good to go!

'Late

Can you beat this? NO YOU CANT!!! Movies cannot be any manlier than the Rambo films. If you are a man you need this box set.

First Blood was an excellent movie. And its not all about killing. Its about a vietnam vet who is haunted by his demons and lashes out against the cops that are treating him like dirt. The film is an action based movie, but the ending leaves you feeling sorry for the emotionally fragile John Rambo.

The other two films in this box are, in my opinion, inferior. But they are still great fun. Lots of action and explosions from the one man wrecking crew.

Great stuff!

Ordered set of Rambo series, watch them over and over again. Good action and acting performance by Sylvester Stallone, the fourth (Rambo or John Rambo was good too). Very entertaining movies to watch, kept both dvd and vhs copies, one of best series ever. All of his movies are excellent.

Watching the Rambo III is something like a History lesson. U know what I mean. Freedom need a huge costs.

How can you go wrong. Three Rambo flicks for under ... Purchasing a movie means you have to watch it over and over . These can be thrown in at any time and entertain. You dont need acting or a good plot with Stallone. Just blow ... up. Classic Stallone keeper.

what can you say about rambo, hes just the greatest, all the films are the very best,
i miss him,
i did hear that sly is about to make a new rambo??.

i think its awsome they are letting this box set come out i seen it on vhs i loved all 3 i bet the widescreen ver is cool forem cant wait to getem ive been wating on the box set its a cool price for this one ?

Despite of what every one else think, I must say I like Rambo. He's a tough guy that also has his troubles and I like that.

In the first movie, former Vietnam-warrior John Rambo is a sad, lonely hitch-hiker. All his friends from Nam has passed away and he's just walking around America. A small-town cop doesn't like Rambo and thinks he's trouble. He takes Rambo to the station were an evil polisofficer named Galt beats him up. The station's youngster (David Caruso from NYPD blue) warns them about what will happend. Eventually Rambo breaks out of the station and goes to hide in the cold woods. A long chase begins, that practically last the whole movie. Rambo accidently kills poor officer Galt. Richard Crenna plays Trautman, Rambos officer in Vietnam, that suddenly shows up. He just "want's to take his kid back alive", while the other policemen want him buried. In the end, Rambo runs back to the city, steals an M60 and starts shooting at things (never people) and blowing up houses (never with people in it). The policeofficer that captured Rambo in the beginning of the film, tries to shoot him, but Rambo fills him with bullets instead. But he's not really dead, and when Rambo goes to "finish the job", Trautman shows up. He talks softly with Rambo. Rambo has a nervous breakdown and starts crying. He misses his old war-buddies. This is real good acting by Stallone, and I shiver every time I see it. Rambo cries in Trautman's arms, before the police takes him away.

I give this first Rambo-movie three stars. My favorite scenes are the one where Rambo breaks loose from the police and the final scene with Trautman. One of the first action-films in it's kind!

The rambo movies are very good f you like action movies the 1 and the 3rd where great and the 2 was ok but all in all they are 3 great movies. I recoment them to all action fans