Rambo: First Blood 4K [4K Ultra-HD + Blu-ray] [2018]

A really good action film. Hate those small-town cops. Sly gives it to 'em

"First Blood" (1982) is a action film with psychological undercurrents. It stars Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, one of the defining roles if his acting career. It's a popular movie, and inspired three sequels. This first film in the saga is based on a bestselling novel, by David Morrell, which - in the midst of an action storyline - explores some of the difficulties faced by soldiers returning home to the USA after fighting in Vietnam, and the post traumatic stress suffered. The book introduced Rambo - although it was this film series that turned the character into a global phenomenon.The film concerns John Rambo, who's living as a vagrant, being picked up by local police in a small town in rural America. The police don't particularly like Rambo's looks or attitude. In turn, Rambo doesn't seem to care about what the police think ... He's arrested, and while being detained is mistreated by some of the officers. During a moment of flashback - to an ordeal during the Vietnam War, when he was tortured - Rambo gets mad, fights the police officers and escapes. Hiding in the nearby mountains, Rambo is pursued by the police. It's then that the police learn that Rambo is an elite warrior - an ex-special forces soldier who's trained to evade capture, survive in the wilderness, and kill the enemy using any tactics. Ultimately, the police utterly fail to apprehend Rambo - and so now the military join-in the manhunt, led by Rambo's former commanding officer Colonel Sam Trautman. In the final act of the film, Rambo destroys the local town - and then, persuaded by Trautman, gives himself up.This is a violent film. Yet it's not violence for its own sake, merely to titillate. Rather, the storyline is handled in a serious manner - and Rambo's tortured psyche is explored (being clearly depicted in the final scene, when he suffers an emotional breakdown). This is as much a drama about a man being mistreated, and refusing to simply accept such mistreatment, as it is an action film. Stallone acts well, portraying the central protagonist in a meaningful way. He's brilliantly supported by both Richard Crenna and Brian Dennehy.This is a defining film of the 1980's - inspiring a host of copy-cat movies. The Blu-ray edition presents excellent quality video and audio. Unfortunately, it has few special features.

Good

At first glance it might feel like another violent action movie, but personally I think there's more to it. It revolves around vulnerability of a broken war veteran and the world he has to face once the fight is over. Except for him it's never over. Sylvester Stallone delivered that struggle masterfully. Of course, one can wonder just how realistic is it that a bunch of small town law enforcers will be so power hungry and sadistic that it's almost grotesque. But if you can look past that, I think it's a good movie.

In short:- The picture quality can't be better, although or especially because the movie is about 30 years old. Clearly defined colours and sharp resolution, even in dark scenes, let this movie become a new experience for all DVD-watchers.- Only the German sound (5.1 dts) - and that's what is in my personal interest - is a bit tinny or muffled. One can virtually hear the lots of digital filters that made 5.1 from only Dolby Surround in the original film.But, nonetheless, I would always prefer this timeless and uncut version again. Don't spend your money on the DVD-edition!Für deutsche Kunden:Kurz gesagt:- Die Bildqualität kann nicht besser sein, obwohl oder gerade weil der Film schon 30 Jahre alt ist. Klar definierte Farben und gestochen scharfe Auflösung, auch in dunklen Szenen, lassen den Film eine ganz neue Erfahrung für alle DVD-Fans werden.- Nur der deutsche Ton (5,1 dts) - und das ist, was mich persönlich interessiert - klingt ein bisschen blechern oder dumpf. Man kann praktisch die vielen digitalen Filter hören, die den 5.1-Ton aus nur Dolby Surround des Original-Films herausgeholt haben.Aber nichtsdestotrotz würde ich immer wieder diese zeitlose und ungeschnittene Fassung bevorzugen . Vergeuden Sie nicht Ihr Geld mit der DVD-Edition!

To bring the subject of post-traumatic stress syndrome to the big screen, especially during the action driven 80's takes balls and intelligence. This is one of the main reasons that this film just has not dated. It is as relevant today as it has ever been...maybe more so.The film itself is incredibly detailed and does not spoon-feed the audience the information with obvious extra dialogue that is so often used in ... well, in most films.It was Stallone who, when eventually on board, penned the character of John Rambo so brilliantly. He said that when he read the screenplay, Rambo was written as a savage who had lost all sense of humanity during the war. His problem with this was that the public would not care if this character lived or died. Stallone said he needed to give Rambo heart so that the public could empathise with the character. And it is impossible not to. Stallones' acting is fantastic and the story romps along with one outstanding scene after another.The blu-ray itself is decent. The transfer is sympathetic to the original. I can see no use of DNR and the blacks are reasonably solid. There is heavy grain in some scenes but the film is intentionally dark and grain is a result when using film.This film is an absolute must. I am very proud to have it in my blu-ray collection