Rambo II, is more exciting than this routine 3rd installment.

RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II-85', is my favorite, straight forward, (non-sci themed), action film. I could watch it many times over. Stallone appears 100% invested in the lush and technically excellent presentation of the production and his stoic, troubled, laconic character. It opens with a shot of an explosive blast, (which foreshadows the action to come), then takes a predominately action-less; but always interesting 30mins to set up the scenario and then goes full blast and never lets up, once the Russians have been introduced. It looks and sounds spectacular.

RAMBO III, while well made and shot, with some awesome hardware and action set-pieces, appears to be lacking something. I don't feel as involved in the proceedings and while it doesn't appear that much different than Part II, in the way it plays out the action, it comes over as kind of dull. It doesn't have the same energy or pizazz, the direction is by the numbers and the humor seems forced and strained.

For the sake of a story, there has to be a catalyst to set Rambo off; but he was finding his peace and Trautman starts up on a rubbishy babble about him coming full circle and about accepting the fighting machine that he is. Trautman, (who trained Rambo and then doesn't appear to follow his own lead), gets deservedly captured and tortured by the Russians, for being a jerk and then Rambo has to come to the rescue, for something he didn't want to do in the first place. Maybe this scenario, wasn't as meaningful or as purposeful as part II. I wonder why the original director, Russell—Highlander—Mulcahy was fired. Did he see the flaws inherent the script and could he have brought a more intense and stylish visual approach to the film?

"Murdock... I'm coming to get you"!