First Blood - 1982
Quick Summary
John Rambo, a veteran of Vietnam where he won several medals, is arrested in a small town for vagrancy and decides to flee. The manhunt begins...
My Thoughts
"First Blood" is the first part of the cult saga we all know by now. Contrary to popular belief, "Rambo" is not a war film! It's set in a post-war context, but never, never, never does it feature tanks.
It's simply a film about John Rambo, a former soldier in the Vietnam War, wandering from town to town in search of his old war buddies.
As effective in denouncing the cruel guilt of veterans as it is in setting up a breathless survival in grandiose settings, the film is always a pleasure to watch, getting straight to the point in every scene and thanks to its short running time (1h29).
I also find the music excellent, and of course the actors are excellent too, especially Sylvester Stallone, whose talent is unquestionable.
You're drawn into John Rambo's story right up to the final scene, in which the lost soldier becomes a child again and breaks down in the arms of the only person he has left, remembering his war traumas.
This film is not a simple action movie, and John Rambo is not a killer: this film carries a strong message denouncing the horrors of the Vietnam War.
To Watch or Not to Watch
"FIrst Blood" is a film that you can watch 50 times without worrying about it, it's a great watch and goes by quickly.