Rambo (2008)

In Thailand, John Rambo joins a group of mercenaries to venture into war-torn Burma, and rescue a group of Christian aid workers who were kidnapped by the ruthless local infantry unit.

Director:

Sylvester Stallone

Writers:

Art Monterastelli, Sylvester Stallone,

Stars:

Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz, Matthew Marsden

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sylvester Stallone	...	John Rambo
Julie Benz	...	Sarah
Matthew Marsden	...	School Boy
Graham McTavish	...	Lewis
Reynaldo Gallegos	...	Diaz (as Rey Gallegos)
Jake La Botz	...	Reese
Tim Kang	...	En-Joo
Maung Maung Khin	...	Tint
Paul Schulze	...	Michael Burnett
Cameron Pearson	...	Missionary #4 (Jeff)
Thomas Peterson	...	Missionary #2 (Dentist)
Tony Skarberg	...	Missionary #3 (Videographer)
James With	...	Missionary #5 (Preacher) (as James Wearing Smith)
Kasikorn Niyompattana	...	Snake Hunter #2
Shaliew 'Lek' Bamrungbun	...	Snake Hunter #1

Storyline

Vietnam veteran John Rambo has survived many harrowing ordeals in his lifetime and has since withdrawn into a simple and secluded existence in Thailand, where he spends his time capturing snakes for local entertainers, and chauffeuring locals in his old PT boat. Even though he is looking to avoid trouble, trouble has a way of finding him: a group of Christian human rights missionaries, led by Michael Burnett and Sarah Miller, approach Rambo with the desire to rent his boat to travel up the river to Burma. For over fifty years, Burma has been a war zone. The Karen people of the region, who consist of peasants and farmers, have endured brutally oppressive rule from the murderous Burmese military and have been struggling for survival every single day. After some inner contemplation, Rambo accepts the offer and takes Michael, Sarah, and the rest of the missionaries up the river. When the missionaries finally arrive at the Karen village, they find themselves part of a raid by the sadistic ...

---

Plot Keywords:

rambo | missionary | burma | boat | mercenary | 

---

Taglines:

Heroes never die.... They just reload.

---

Genres:

Action | Thriller | War

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong graphic bloody violence, sexual assaults, grisly images and language

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Films [fr] MySpace page

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English Burmese Thai

Release Date:

25 January 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

John Rambo

Filming Locations:

Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,247,195 (UK) (22 February 2008)

Gross:

$42,724,402 (USA) (21 March 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lionsgate, Weinstein Company, The, Millennium Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min 99 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name 'Rambo' is mentioned only once in the whole film, namely when Rambo is awoken by pastor Arthur Marsh.

---

Goofs

When Rambo kills the gunner on the jeep-mounted machine gun, and takes over the weapon, the first thing he does is lower the barrel and blow away the soldiers in the forward seat. This would not be possible. In order to prevent this from happening accidentally in the heat of combat, the gimbal on which the gun is mounted would have a built-in mechanical stop, which would prevent the gunner from lowering the barrel far enough to kill his own crew. This safeguard was applied on WWII bombers, to keep the side and turret gunners from shooting into the wings and engines of their own planes.

---

Quotes

Burnett: I was told it might be possible to rent your boat. We'd like to do that. Is that possible? We need to get upriver.
John J. Rambo: Where are you going?
Burnett: Into Burma.
John J. Rambo: Burma's a warzone.
Burnett: Well, that's what people call it, but it's more like genocide than war. Anyway, this will be my fifth trip in, so we're aware of the risks.
John J. Rambo: I don't go that far north.
Burnett: Let me explain our situation. Our church is part of a pan-Asian ministry, located in Colorado. We are all volunteers who, around this time of year, bring in medical ...
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

On-Set Salad Maker - Cholticha Wannaoun

---

Connections

Features First Blood (1982)

---

Soundtracks

"Rambo: First Blood Theme"
Written by Jerry Goldsmith (BMI)
Published by Universal Music Publishing o/b/o El Cajo Music Company (BMI)

User Reviews

Rambo is back and better than ever!

I saw this at an advance screening in Oslo, and going in, I didn't expect it to be any more than a cheesy and somewhat gory tribute to eighties actioners by a star/director/producer/writer who was desperate to relive past glory. That latter may or may not be true, but my former assessment was plain wrong. This movie is authentic, shocking and unlike any other comparable movie.

Given its genre, the movie is a masterpiece. The story is simple but solid, and works on several levels. The action scenes are unparalleled, more intense than "Black Hawk Down", "Saving Private Ryan" and "Stalingrad" put together. The level of brutality and gore will shock and fascinate, and no doubt cause some level of controversy.

Stallone proves himself to be an excellent director, as well as in excellent shape for his age. I had little faith in him going in, and I stand corrected.

This is a Rambo who has come to terms with who and what he is, in a movie that holds up when compared with the original "First Blood". Well done, Sly. Well done indeed.