From the moment Rocky was bestowed upon the world, it was known by most everyone that Sylvester Stallone would become a star. Not only could he act, but his knack for writing was apparent and he was even able to prove useful as a director soon after. As years passed, Stallone would become heavily involved in the action genre of filmmaking. More and more his films would appeal popularly though less critically. Regardless, he would always show here or there, that he still knew how to make a quality picture. Years after Rocky, this was evidenced with First Blood.
The 1982 classic set the standard for action movies with Stallone as a leading man, however, there was more to this film than just fight scenes and machines guns. Stallone is John Rambo, a retired Green Beret who’s home from the Vietnam War. Rambo, traumatically effected in more ways than one by his experiences, is back in the States searching for any remaining members of his unit. When he soon finds out that he is the last one, he continues to drift aimlessly. It’s not until he passes through a small town and encounters a confrontational Sheriff that Rambo’s demons awaken inside him. Once provoked, Rambo gives the Sheriff and his small police force a war they never even imagined they’d ever have to fight.
Many of the returning soldiers were not given a warm welcome home, and that’s a huge point highlighted in First Blood
The production standard for a film like this was on par with most action films of that decade. There are pros and cons, some things dated, and many other things that were ahead of its time. The ideas and the message of First Blood are what make it an acclaimed classic. Anyone who was an adult from the 80s and before know how the Vietnam was received publicly, and how the military was treated for their involvement. Many of the returning soldiers were not given a warm welcome home, and that’s a huge point highlighted in First Blood. It’s a trend that some would argue has continued with US war veterans. They’re used to advance US interests, only to be tossed to the side and left to fend for themselves once there’s no further use for them. Stallone’s acting embodies this concept, portraying a man who clearly has PTSD though in a time where the condition was barely understood. It’s a film that forced people to take veterans’ issues less lightly and to understand what it is they actually sacrifice to ensure the United States remains a world super power.
It was a continuation of the body of work Sylvester Stallone has built that will see him remembered in the industry long after he’s gone. Sly has definitely made a solid living out of being the Hollywood ‘badass’, but it’s films like First Blood that serve as a reminder that he can actually act, and quite well when he wants to. He’s an intelligent artist who’s often been overlooked because of his route as a professional, but there should be little doubt of his obvious talent.
