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Free classic flicks not shown in theaters
By Brian Offenther |
June 1, 2012, Friday
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RAMBO does exist - just not here. For that guy, see "First Blood: Rambo II" and "Rambo III," the first two sequels of the series.
Expectations of blood and mud mayhem have led to "First Blood" being one of cinema's most misrepresented films. Ironic considering how closely that mirrors its plot.
Rambo is portrayed here by Sylvester Stallone with understanding and empathy, with granite muscles but real-life blood pumping oxygen to them.
We meet Rambo as he discovers from a grieving widow that a fellow soldier in his Vietnam War military unit has died of cancer.
Instead of bullets, the after-effects of the war - in this case, Agent Orange (defoliant) exposure - killed him. Rambo leaves dejected and walks the streets of a small town in the northwest of the United States.
He's quickly harassed by the police chief (Brian Dennehy) who clearly isn't impressed by Rambo's scowl, beat-up army fatigues, and shaggy haircut. "We don't want guys like you in town," the portly chief threatens.
Rambo is soon booked on trumped up charges and finds himself treated with utter contempt by police at the station. Soon, he snaps and breaks lose. "I don't want anymore hurt!" Rambo bellows before escaping deep into a forest.
Soon joining the chief is Rambo's former commanding officer, General Troutman (Richard Crenna). Why? "I didn't come to rescue Rambo from you, I came to rescue you from him," Troutman intones with "First Blood's" typically snappy dialogue.
From here, the hunt of Rambo is on ... even if what makes Rambo tick isn't yet discovered. It's all reminiscent of Thomas Wolfe's classic novel "You Can't Go Home Again" (1940).
"One can observe a soldier moving forward in a battle and see him spin and tumble, and know the movement he is hit. But one cannot observe so exactly the moment when a man has been shot down by life."
Is that a little heavy for a Sly Stallone film? Surprising to many, no.
"First Blood," like the best action films, is the external actualization of the psychological drama of its protagonists. In this case, Rambo. Because the film is so big - this is indeed an 1980s action film, whether it suffers from the tropes of its successors or not - it suffers slightly from its heavy handedness.
But as we discover, Rambo has problems as big as any baddie's gun that comes his way.
Certainly beyond kiddie fodder, the Rambo in "First Blood" is misunderstood. Reader, don't make a similar mistake, give Rambo his due.
Not in a theater near you
Want to know where and when to watch free classic, cult classic and underground movies? Get the scoop every Friday from DJ and film aficionado (and Shanghai Daily columnist) Brian Offenther.
Movie: 'First Blood' aka 'Rambo: First Blood' (1985)
? Where to see it: Dada nightclub at 115 Xingfu Rd, near Fahuazhen Road
? When to see it: June 5, 9pm
? Ticket: Free
? What's to see: Action legend Sylvester Stallone at his best: physically dynamic, fiercely intense and explosively expressive.
? Why see it: Rambo is the character synonymous with the cartoonish excess of 1980s summer blockbusters. He's the big brute with the machine gun mowing down scores of faceless baddies in camouflage for the mindless entertainment of pubescent boys.
? Brian's rating: 9/10 stars
Expectations of blood and mud mayhem have led to "First Blood" being one of cinema's most misrepresented films. Ironic considering how closely that mirrors its plot.
Rambo is portrayed here by Sylvester Stallone with understanding and empathy, with granite muscles but real-life blood pumping oxygen to them.
We meet Rambo as he discovers from a grieving widow that a fellow soldier in his Vietnam War military unit has died of cancer.
Instead of bullets, the after-effects of the war - in this case, Agent Orange (defoliant) exposure - killed him. Rambo leaves dejected and walks the streets of a small town in the northwest of the United States.
He's quickly harassed by the police chief (Brian Dennehy) who clearly isn't impressed by Rambo's scowl, beat-up army fatigues, and shaggy haircut. "We don't want guys like you in town," the portly chief threatens.
Rambo is soon booked on trumped up charges and finds himself treated with utter contempt by police at the station. Soon, he snaps and breaks lose. "I don't want anymore hurt!" Rambo bellows before escaping deep into a forest.
Soon joining the chief is Rambo's former commanding officer, General Troutman (Richard Crenna). Why? "I didn't come to rescue Rambo from you, I came to rescue you from him," Troutman intones with "First Blood's" typically snappy dialogue.
From here, the hunt of Rambo is on ... even if what makes Rambo tick isn't yet discovered. It's all reminiscent of Thomas Wolfe's classic novel "You Can't Go Home Again" (1940).
"One can observe a soldier moving forward in a battle and see him spin and tumble, and know the movement he is hit. But one cannot observe so exactly the moment when a man has been shot down by life."
Is that a little heavy for a Sly Stallone film? Surprising to many, no.
"First Blood," like the best action films, is the external actualization of the psychological drama of its protagonists. In this case, Rambo. Because the film is so big - this is indeed an 1980s action film, whether it suffers from the tropes of its successors or not - it suffers slightly from its heavy handedness.
But as we discover, Rambo has problems as big as any baddie's gun that comes his way.
Certainly beyond kiddie fodder, the Rambo in "First Blood" is misunderstood. Reader, don't make a similar mistake, give Rambo his due.
Not in a theater near you
Want to know where and when to watch free classic, cult classic and underground movies? Get the scoop every Friday from DJ and film aficionado (and Shanghai Daily columnist) Brian Offenther.
Movie: 'First Blood' aka 'Rambo: First Blood' (1985)
? Where to see it: Dada nightclub at 115 Xingfu Rd, near Fahuazhen Road
? When to see it: June 5, 9pm
? Ticket: Free
? What's to see: Action legend Sylvester Stallone at his best: physically dynamic, fiercely intense and explosively expressive.
? Why see it: Rambo is the character synonymous with the cartoonish excess of 1980s summer blockbusters. He's the big brute with the machine gun mowing down scores of faceless baddies in camouflage for the mindless entertainment of pubescent boys.
? Brian's rating: 9/10 stars
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