Directed by: George P. Cosmatos
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Charles Napier, Martin Kove, Julia Nickson, Steven Berkoff
First Blood was not only an intense action picture, but had something to say about the mistreatment of Vietnam veterans when they returned home. Soldiers like John Rambo (Stallone) couldn't adjust to civilian life, and when pushed too far by a bullying sheriff's department, he does what he does best: Fight.
Rambo: First Blood Part II picks up three years later as Rambo is spending time in federal prison for the mayhem caused in the first film. His trustworthy superior Col. Trautman (Crenna) comes to him with a deal from the government. Go back to Vietnam, scout suspected POW camps, and take photos of the area to determine if any prisoners are still being held. "Just take pictures, do not engage," Trautman tells Rambo. Uh huh. He must forget who he's talking to.
Rambo discovers numerous prisoners of war and has a team of mercenaries led by Co (Nickson) to help him. It turns out the entire mission was a sham and the boss of the operation (the oily bureaucrat Murdock played by Charles Napier) were going to suppress any evidence Rambo presented in order to avoid starting another Vietnam War to rescue the POW's. This doesn't sit well with Rambo, and he defies the orders and rescues the prisoners. We would expect nothing less.
Rambo is mostly action, explosions, and Rambo doing his Rambo thing in slow motion. Co provides a momentary love interest and a beacon of hope that Rambo may be able to live a normal life after the mission is over, but alas, that is a fleeting prospect thanks to the screenplay. Rambo is a machine in this sequel and not given the human dimensions he had in First Blood. At the end of First Blood, Rambo let out his rage and sadness over living in a country that deserted him in an impassioned speech. In Rambo II, he has a similar speech, but without the emotion. That could sum up the entire movie.
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