Rambo – 4K UHD Blu-ray Movie Review

Synopsis

After spending several years in in the jungles of northern Thailand operating a longboat on the Salween river, John Rambo reluctantly agrees to carry a group of Christian missionaries up the river to war-torn Burma. When the aide workers are captured by ruthless nationalist soldiers, Rambo leads a mercenary group in a last-ditch effort to rescue the prisoners…at all costs.

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Specifications

Lionsgate Studios
2008, 2160p, Dolby Atmos with Dolby Vision HDR, Rated R, 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio, 1 hour and 31 minutes

Rating

Entertainment:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Violence: Yes, graphic
Sex: No
Language: Yes

Commentary

Right when you thought Stallone was over his Rambo character, he takes charge with this film to squeeze more out of him. Though the plot is not very deep, the action is splendid, but over-the-top with its violence. I have never seen so many bodies explore with limbs flying everywhere and heads popping of their shoulders like corks on a champagne bottle. Yet, out of the gore and 50-caliber machine gun fire, Stallone gives a thoughtful performance with his character. Rambo believes the world is a violent place full of evil men, but is conflicted with the message of the missionaries, who risk their lives for people they don’t even know. You can almost see his mind churning over the thought of “live for nothing or die for something”. Conflicted heroes are always more interesting. Heck, the Marvel Universe is full of conflicted heroes and have used that as a formula for success time and again. If you don’t mind some extreme violence, this movie is satisfying as an action film that provokes some thought as well.

Technical

With the WCG and Dolby Vision, this movie looks very good with lots of revelatory details even in the murky nighttime scenes. Yes, some of the exploding body parts look a bit CGI, but overall, the effects are convincing. The sound is excellent, with lots of bullets and explosions happening all around the viewer. There is nothing quite like the sound of a 50-caliber machine gun going off in a well set up home theater. Turn up the volume and run for cover!

Extras

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Besides the included BD version, you’ll find: Commentaries with Stallone, It’s A Long Road, A Score to Settle, The Art of War, Weapons of Rambo, A Hero’s Welcome, A Legacy of Despair, To Hell and Back, deleted scenes and a theatrical trailer. Many of these are in UHD, also.

Jim Milton

Jim Milton has been interested in high fidelity since his college years in the late 70's. It was there that he first became interested in classical music. He has been part of choral music, both in opera and oratorio and is an avid collector of classical music from the Baroque through the Romantic periods. He enjoys an occasional night at Boston Symphony Hall or attending an organ concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME. Currently he is the director of Nuclear Medicine at the North Shore Medical Center, located just outside of Boston. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Salem State University where he teaches a course in nuclear instrumentation. During his leisure time, he enjoys listening to his music collection and an occasional movie with his wife of 30+ years. Living on the longest stretch of sandy beach north of Boston offers him plenty of opportunities to take a relaxing stroll or soak up some sun. "Remember, acquiring good A/V gear takes lots of time...but doesn't necessarily take lots of money."