Rambo is a good film, but I'm also critical about how the movie begins.
The way the group of missionaries were introduced, was IMO - rushed and clumsy. They just appeared out of nowhere in Rambo's 'backyard'.
The missionaries could have been introduced to the audience during the opening scene - perhaps going up river in a boat with shots of the surrounding environment.
Some dialogue between Sarah and Burnett - how they've heard of this mysterious 'Rambo' character and are looking for his help to get them further up the river to Burma.
That way, these two characters get fleshed out a little, and we learn of their goal of helping the people suffering under the regime. Build some tension and a sense of expectation in the audience as they wait to see the Rambo character after an absence of 20 years.
Then when the missionaries arrive at Rambo's location, we see Rambo for the first time with the snakes.
Four or five extra minutes at the beginning was all that was needed. Nothing when you consider that it was a VERY SHORT film ( 1hour and 15 minutes - if you exclude the end credits.)
Change the dialogue accordingly in the following scenes with Sarah, Burnett and Rambo:
Sarah explains to Rambo, how they've spent days seeking HIM out specifically and are desperate for his help. Instead, we got a scene that gave the impression that the missionaries - by chance - had just stumbled across Rambo. There was no sense of investment on their part as they bargained for Rambo's services.
In turn, Sarah came across as far too familiar and emotionally-charged as she talked to Rambo - a complete stranger whom she had just met, (and as far as the audience were concerned) knew absolutely nothing about him.
There was no backdrop to the stories of Sarah, Burnett and the other members of the group (who were strangely silent during their scenes). There was no attempt to establish who they were.
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ph75006
10 years ago
I also thought that Sarah was strangely emotionally charged when speaking to Rambo for the first time-- so much so that I didn't even realize that Michael was her husband. Rambo also took an immediate liking to her as well, giving her full charge of the boat ("Because of you, we're going upriver. Anytime you want to turn around, it's done.") It just seemed really rushed and ill-conceived. Originally, I got the impression that she was to be a potential romantic interest for him (and I'm glad it didn't turn out that way) but I definitely agree with you about the way the missionaries were introduced was just sloppy.
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romefan123
10 years ago
Concur concur concur. Been saying all along that they're the weakest component of the film. "Rushed" seems about right, good assessment. In fact, they remind me of the crappy acting of the priest in Gran Torino, if you get my drift.
Better actors and dialogue (writing) might have helped this. Anyone could see it was over-acted. Surprised Sly didn't tone their part down. An introductory piece (3 min) of them working gleefully in another village maybe a year prior would have been a nice touch.
"You know it..." Snake Karate Kid III
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hajj628
9 years ago
I agree there are problems with how the film begins - however, this is a Rambo film, so it needs to stay focused on his POV - if it had started from the missionaries perspective we would've immediately sympathized with them. instead, by starting with Rambo, we sympathize better with the fact that he's resigned himself to life. and ultimately it is this character arc that matters the most in the film, not that of the missionaries. but of course things could've been handled a bit more gracefully in the introduction of the missionaries, for certain.
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strahd9
8 years ago
I agree with folks who say this is a Rambo movie and it needs to be centered with him. But I really agree with the movie clocking in so quickly, some building of the missionaries would have helped. They were less developed than Horror Teens. Granted I was watching this movie in MST3K mode with a friend, but I missed completely that Sarah & Burnett were married. And one of my complaints/quires was how did this missionaries find Rambo or were they or part of the group was part of the Armed Forces trying to bring him back in.
Also I agree that the rest of the missionaries were such background characters that they had their names in parenthesis. Other than the montage of them helping in the village & getting a line or two, they seemed completely expendable.
drew
I'm a person just like you
But I've got better things to do
- Minor Threat
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