Where to watch Rambo: Last Blood
2 1/2 Stars
Rambo: Last Blood presents the title character in a peaceful state of domesticity. In the latest sequel, Rambo is far from the muscle-bound jungle cat who prowled the screen in the previous four movies. Now, he’s settled on his ranch in Arizona with a make-shift family. That’s until a tragic event propels him back into ‘Rambo’ mode.
The fifth sequel in the four-decades spanning series, which includes toys and cartoons, is a mixed bag. It’s the kind of straightforward, no-frills, ultra-violent semi-crowd-pleaser that Cannon films specialed in during the 1980s. Stallone knows his audience and he can still deliver the goods. Fans of the franchise will be thrilled by the film’s bloody and exceedingly violent third act. But the storyline is so threadbare that we end up just waiting for the inevitable final (and bloody) confrontation. The last sequel had a similarly simple plot and still managed to carry some emotional resonance.
The ending of Rambo: Last Blood suggests that more Rambo adventures may be in store. If that’s the case, I hope Stallone gives his fictional alter-ego a story worthy of bringing the character back out of retirement.
Director: Adrian Grünberg
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Paz Vega, Sergio Peris-Mencheta