As John Rambo returns for one more mission, Lionsgate brings his previous forays into battle out in a Blu-ray set. The set collects the already released First Blood and adds new Blu-ray editions of the other two films.
However, what the set lacks is a copy of that latest mission, which is available separately or in the DVD Complete Collector’s set.
John Rambo first blasted onto screens in 1982 when the ex-Green Beret went in search of one of his old war buddies only to discover that they had died, scarred by Vietnam. He’s passing through a peaceful town when the overzealous sheriff (Brian Dennehy) tells him that they don’t want his kind there.
When Rambo tries to walk back towards town he’s arrested. The deputies beat him up and Rambo uses his skills from Vietnam to escape their clutches. Their manhunt becomes deadly when one of the deputies is killed. Rambo only wants to be left alone but the sheriff won’t let him escape now that one of his men is dead. The state authorities are called in to smoke him out of the woods, but Rambo is in his element.
His old commanding officer, Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna), arrives and lets the sheriff know that they’ve bitten off more than they can chew and perhaps they shouldn’t have drawn first blood.
In Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rambo is in prison following the events of the first film. Colonel Trautman approaches Rambo with a new mission. He’s been asked by Murdock (Charles Napier) to get Rambo on a top-secret mission to return to Vietnam and photograph some American POWs.
Rambo accepts the mission, but when he rescues one of the men his pickup is aborted and he’s left to be captured by the hostile forces. He’s interrogated by a Russian commander (Steven Berkoff), but promises Murdock that he will be returning to settle the score with him.
Finally, Rambo is done with war and is living peacefully in a monastery. He’s once more called upon by Trautman to engage in a secret mission to Afghanistan. He refuses, but finds that when the hostile Soviet forces capture Trautman he once again dives into the war zone to rescue his friend and commanding officer.
Rambo’s first adventure had already graced Blu-ray, but his latest blood drenched foray onto the screen got this new Blu-ray box set released that includes the second and third films.
It would’ve been nice if this set also included Rambo as well, but you have to buy that Blu-ray separately. It was fun reliving these films in these politically correct times. They seem positively quaint when compared to the kill-fest of the last film (supposedly it contains more killing than these three combined – I can believe it).
First Blood is definitely the best of the lot and features a fine performance by Stallone, as well as Dennehy and Crenna. Part II is a great action-fest, but also seems relevant to the plight of American POWs that are still trapped in the camps of Vietnam. Three is the most expensive of them all and in some ways feels like a retread of two, not that it doesn’t have its moments as well.
All of the films have something to recommend them and Blu-ray owners will want to snatch up this set to complete their Rambo collection.
All three films are presented in 1080p anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) and are enhanced for 16x9 televisions. They all also feature a set of “Out of the Blu” trivia tracks. Some interesting facts here but the track’s sound effects can annoy after awhile. First Blood also features a commentary track by author David Morrell and a second commentary track from Stallone.
The 22 minute “Drawing First Blood” takes a look at the making of the film and there are also 5 minutes of deleted scenes, including the original ending that would’ve put a stop to any future films (both in standard definition).
Part II features a commentary by director George P. Cosmatos and the 20 minute “We Get to Win this Time” documentary (in standard definition).
Rambo III has a commentary by director Peter MacDonald and the 29 minute “Afghanistan: Land in Crisis” documentary (in standard definition).
Rambo goes high definition and fans will be pleased to finally see the second and third films on Blu-ray. Unfortunately, you have to buy the fourth film separately if you’re a Blu-ray fan. A Collector’s set DVD includes all of them and I don’t know why that wasn’t offered to Blu-ray buyers. Whatever the case, it’s great to finally have all the films in high definition.
Rambo 1-3 Boxset [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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