Rambo: First Blood Part II is Rare Case Where Sequel is Better Than Original
I’m not sure how many times I’ve seen Rambo: First Blood Part II, but it’s too many to count. I can narrate the entire movie from memory and even quote much of it. A friend of mine once told me a tale of how he reenacted the entire movie after drinking too much to the family of an ex who opposed his political views. He simulated scenes by jumping over couches and crawling under tables. All the while making sound effects and firing his invisible belt-fed machine gun. Natural Light and Rambo are a great pair. However, the next morning he was walking home single from Columbia, SC, literally. This is a 106-mile walk. Respect due though, to this day Rambo: First Blood Part II is still one of his favorite movies. Therefore, let’s move on to my thoughts about this 1980s action masterpiece.
In my opinion, there are only three movies where I really think highly of the sequel. The first is John Carpenter’s Halloween Part II, the second is Terminator 2 Judgement Day, and Rambo: First Blood Part II. In the case of Halloween, the sequel is just as good as the first part with the first only being better because it’s the first and because it’s Halloween. Anyway, Rambo: First Blood Part II, in my opinion, is a rare case where it as the sequel is completely better than the original, which is 100% amazing itself. You can read my blog on this classic, First Blood, here. Let’s jump into why I feel this way because that’s the real blood and guts of this blog.
From the NW Wilderness to the Jungles of Vietnam
Transitioning from the wilderness of the Northwest to the jungles of Vietnam allowed Rambo access to new tools. In First Blood, Rambo had his “hunting” knife and rifles taken from LE and military personnel. In Rambo: First Blood Part II, John Rambo not only has access to guns and his knife but what become an iconic weapon for him – the bow. The arrows for this one are complete with screw-on exploding arrowheads. Moreover, First Blood Part II has many great scenes. When Rambo escapes captivity, the heavy action sequence leading to the POW rescue begins; consequently, the excitement builds. It’s this section of the film that may be the highlight. A well-known part is when Rambo, covered in mud lying against a mud bank, opens his eyes to reveal his hidden location. He then plunges the blade of his knife into the Jugular vein of a passing Russian soldier.
3 Strikes and You’re Out Murdock
In Rambo: First Blood Part II, John Rambo finds himself back in his element, in the jungles of Vietnam. This is the key point that makes this installment so much better than the first. The tale reveals that this commando learned his craft in the jungles of Vietnam while serving his country in the Green Beret. Running from the police for his life wasn’t combat Vietnam but, rescuing POWs from the clutches of the torturous North Vietnamese was. This also happened to be his passion. They inform Rambo that he will be taking photos and instruct him not to engage. This was strike 1 for Murdock and Rambo’s reaction shows where his heart is. The only lens he wanted to look through was one mounted on a rifle.
I’ve never known any special ops guys personally but, I have talked to a few. A fellow I know well told me that he knew several. Some personality traits that they commonly possess are quick and effective decision-making and attention to detail. I realize that Stallone is not really a commando but, Rambo demonstrates attention to detail. One of the few lines Rambo says verbally, because he speaks with action, happens in a brief conversation with Troutman. John tells his colonel that he has already seen through Murdock’s lies based on misinformation he provided about a military unit he (Murdock) supposedly belonged to. Rambo tells Troutman the truth of the unit and clarifies that his trust is ONLY in Troutman. Attention to detail allowed him to see through the lies of the man sending him back to the jungles of Vietnam. This was strike 2.
When Rambo: First Blood Part II was released, it was the ‘80s. In the ‘80s, the media was being used, just like today, to sway the opinion of the masses. They were and still are guilty of being a propaganda psyop machine. If there was a “bad guy” in a movie, he/she was Russian. Rambo: First Blood Part II was no different. Regardless, the interrogation scene and characters are part of this film’s high points. Lt. Col. Podovsky and his muscle Yushin are both Russian and interrogate Rambo. Some of the most iconic interrogation lines in movie history are found in this dialog. At one point, Podovsky calls Rambo’s capture an “embarrassment” and explains that they “must” interrogate him, as if they didn’t enjoy doing it. He also reveals to John that he was “…abandoned on direct command” – strike 3 Murdock, you’re out. I’ve never seen a better interrogation scene.
You’re About to Have a Bad Day Movie Moments, Rambo: First Blood Part II Has One
In a recent blog on Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon, which you can read here, I mentioned movie moments where people must have crapped their pants. When Bruce said, “You have offended my family and you have offended the Shaolin Temple” was one of them. When John Rambo radioed in that the base needed to prepare for an emergency landing and that he had American POWs, Murdock crapped his pants. I know I would have. For anyone who has seen this movie, Murdock meets the business end of Rambo shortly after this. Let’s circle back to the interrogation scene I mentioned. Remember, the last thing Murdock hears prior to John’s arrival is Rambo telling him that he’s coming to get him.
Getting Extracted - Closing Thoughts on Rambo: First Blood Part II
In the upstate of SC, there’s a place called the “Jockey Lot.” You can read more about this outdoor/indoor flea market mecca here. Anyway, when we were kids in the ‘80s and ‘90s we would frequent this market and buy “Rambo” knives. These were cheaply made imitation knives like the one Stallone carried in Rambo: First Blood Part II. The coolest part was that the handle had a compass and would unscrew to reveal a compartment to carry waterproof matches, etc. After scoring our knife with weeks of saved allowance, it was off to the neighborhood woods to pretend we were commandos. Rambo: First Blood Part II is a trip down memory lane and puts me right back to being a kid again. I suppose this is one of the reasons I enjoy it so much, nostalgia.
Rambo: First Blood Part II is one of my all-time favorites and one that I watch repeatedly. Believe it or not, dancehall reggae music and Rambo have something in common. One day I came home and turned on the reggae channel on TV while I cleaned up my house. I heard a dancehall artist rapping about what I recognized to be the Rambo story. Quickly, I ran into the room and read the info. Yellowman, an albino Jamaican dancehall reggae legend, has an album titled Rambo. Attention all Rambo fans – check out this record! You won’t be disappointed.
What’s your favorite installment in the Rambo series? Has anyone seen the cartoon? Thoughts? Chuck Norris had one too – you can read my blog on Karate Kommandos here. Check out my art, buy some, and follow me on all social media here. Peace.