Rambo 1 (1982): Psychology 101
Written: Feb 15 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros:
Great pacing and action, emotionally gripping
Cons:
Some might be disappointed in lack of special effects.
The Bottom Line:
A great action movie with an original story.
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| yakkowarner's Full Review: First Blood |
I consider this an original film that was released at just the right time in our history. It is the story of a Vietnam veteran trying to find his life. He has been through a lot, and I do mean a lot. From killing lots of people anyway possible to being a tortured prisoner and an outcast. This is truly a tormented man. And through the way this story is told, you do feel sorry for him.
The story itself is sad. Nobody wins, everybody loses. To me this is what war really is. It isn't something that can be kept isolated on foreign soil. It isn't something that can be forgotten. It isn't something that can be cleaned. And it's scars cannot be removed with lasers. This is true for Vietnam as well as the war we are in, as well as the other conflicts that are occurring throughout the world. War is ugly and we need to be reminded of that.
And before you ask, no I am not talking from personal experience. I am talking from the many conversations I have had with others (some that make my skin crawl as I write this) as well as everything else we all have been exposed to by the media, youtube, and terrorist videos. No I'm not against war just like I'm not against prisons and law enforcement. Sometimes these are necessary, but it is never without a cost.
It is movies like this, Saving Private Ryan, When We Were Soldiers, etc that I think are vital to remind us of what the costs of war are.
The story is of one John Rambo. He is looking for a friend, and a purpose. He comes upon a small town somewhere on the west coast after finding out his friend is dead. A sheriff gives him a ride through town and makes it clear his kind is not welcome in his town. This sets John off a little, he doesn't understand why he can't get a bite to eat. He drops him off at the other side and bids him a good day. But it's too late, that seed that has been planted just grew a bit bigger due to the sheriff's rude actions. He is eventually arrested and is pushed to his limit by another deputy's actions. Actions that are over the limit and are clearly the deputy's fault (and yes law enforcement does these little things all the time, why do you think internal affairs was created). Well he loses it and escapes custody. The movie is then all about trying to recapture John Rambo.
The acting is good. The hardest role to play is Rambo. Sylvester Stallone does an excellent job in this role. You see him play a range of emotions that are convincing and heartbreaking. Academy award quality? No, but definitely one of his better roles.
Brian Dennehy played the role of the Sheriff. His role is complex in that he is in the middle of catching someone who killed his friend, managing those under him, and the embarrassment of losing a prisoner. Brian does a good job with the role and makes it convincing, but it isn't all the complex a role either. Lets just say he didn't screw up and he made his role fit in perfectly in the film.
The last main role, and a bit part in my opinion, is that of Colonel Trautman played by Richard Crenna. He did a great dramatic job with his role, almost too dramatic. It felt like a great man entered the film but didn't really seem to fit inside the picture frame. Maybe that was good because he was an outsider coming into a small town that prides itself on independence.
Was it realistic? I would say yes. Nothing in the film set off any red flags or angered me in any way from a filming perspective. In fact, compared to many of the films released in the modern theater, this film seemed too simplistic. The wounds were simple and not very graphic in comparison. This is good because it didn't focus on the physical shocking elements of the film. Instead it stayed on the shocking psychological aspects of this film. This is where the true beauty of this film lies. The study of the tormented male mind.
The psychological story telling of this movie is flawless. This is the reason why one would watch/buy this film. It grips you as an audience member. And you don't just feel for Rambo, you feel for everyone involved in the film (except maybe the weekend warriors). So when you see the end, you don't cheer for the hero...there is no hero. There is no villain. There is not one to love and only a couple you can hate. Everyone else you feel sorry for. This format isn't followed in Hollywood much because we want everyone to be happy when you exit the theater. Well reality is not like that. It is raw and unrefined. This movie is closer to reality then we would like to admit, and people don't like to spend money on things that don't make them happy. You do not walk away with a happy heart after seeing this movie.
The pacing of the film is perfect. My only complaint is I would have liked to know a little more about the Sheriff and the forces driving him. That may have slowed it down but I would have forgiven them for it. Other than that, the movie just rolls along from just after the first 10 minutes, all the way to the very end. It just does not stop.
The character development of Rambo is perfect. It is done through careful development in the first 10 minutes (as well as through the "chase"). This is done by his conversations, his initial mission, his flashbacks, and most importantly his actions. I am not a fan of Sylvester in his other roles, but this role is performed beautifully by him. You see his psychological and physical pain in this film. Sylvester does this very well.
The music is done by Jerry Goldsmith, a composer that has a large amount of works to his name. He is known for bring a strong notes, a bold atmosphere with him. This is evident in several Star Trek films (including the one coming up) and other movies for the past 50 years. He still brings a strong emotion to this film that I find appropriate. What I think is lacking is an emotion cord here and there, but no major complaints about the music.
The key players
Director: Ted Kotcheff
Screenplay: Michael Kozoll, William Sackheim, & Sylvester Stallone
Novel: David Morrell
Music: Jerry Goldsmith
Ratings
Yahoo users: B
Yahoo critics: none listed
Metacritics users: 8.9
Metacritics critics: 46
Rotten Tomato community: 88%
Rotten Tomato: 85%
My score: 4.7
MPAA rating: R
Running time: 94 minutes
My recommendation.
This is a movie that must be seen. It does't have fantastic special effects or spectacular stunts. It is just a story, and a well told story of a troubled man trying to fit in.
Other movie reviews
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Serenity
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Recommended:
Yes
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