First Blood


release year: 1982
genre: action
viewing setting: home DVD, 12/3/09 and 12/22/03 and many other times dating back to the early 1980s

synopsis: Pushy cops in a small town mess with the wrong guy.

impressions: That summary I just gave doesn't do this movie justice. Many people forget that this relatively serious movie preceded the over-the-top Rambo sequels. What we have here is an exposition - in action-film form - of how our Vietnam veterans got mistreated by the country they fought for. The police chief is a jerk right from the start, refusing to see or admit that he or any of his men are bullying idiots. First, he won't let Rambo even get some food in his town, suggesting that he walk 30 miles to the next town to get some food. Second, he arrests Rambo on trumped-up charges. Third, he ignores the fact that one of his deputies is way out of line - twice. Fourth, he takes it personally when that deputy gets killed (due to his own stupidity.) Fifth, he doesn't know when to give up and tend to his wounded, which only results in more wounded. Sixth, he ignores further evidence of his deputies being abusive. These are small-town hick cops, the kind who were bullies as kids and grew up to be bulllies as cops; they're used to doing whatever the hell they want, whether it's right or wrong. Well...all I can say is that everyone gets what he deserves. Aside from being a great action/wilderness thrill ride, this movie also gives an important message about the way the general public fails to appreciate the soldiers who fight for the freedoms it takes for granted.

things to watch for: When Teasle and his deputies and the dogs close in on Rambo.

acting: This is a low-key performance by Stallone, actually - he only kills one person throughtout the entire movie, and it's not even his fault really. Brian Dennehey does a good job being the barely unlikeable sheriff; he's basically a good guy who just won't admit when he's wrong or that he's overmatched.

final word: This one's underrated because many people won't take Stallone seriously. They don't know what they're missing (on either the action or the message levels) and probably couldn't appreciate it if they did.

back to the main review page