Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

Directed by: Adrian Grunberg | 101 minutes | action, adventure | Actors: Sylvester Stallone, Paz Vega, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Adriana Barraza, Yvette Monreal, Genie Kim, Joaquín Cosio, Pascacio López, Óscar Jaenada, Alexander Dimitrov, Aaron Cohen, Nick Wittman, Jessica Madsen, Louis Mandylor, Owen Davis

Since ‘First Blood’ hit the silver screen in 1982, the character John Rambo has become an iconic character. The traumatized Vietnam veteran – played by Sylvester Stallone – was widely embraced by the public and that resulted in a slew of sequels that in fact had nothing to do with the source material. The tormented and psychologically unstable loner quickly turned into a virtually invulnerable one-man army. After 37 years, Stallone thought it was enough and decided to step into Rambo’s skin for the last time. ‘Last Blood’ should be his swan song (although that’s not saying much, since the mighty dollar often throws a spanner in the works and can put proposed plans on hold). Is this a worthy tribute or an unworthy display?

In the fifth part about the iron eater, Rambo seems to have finally found happiness. The veteran lives on a ranch with a friend and her granddaughter. Although Rambo doesn’t quite settle in civil society, he seems to do well on this remote ranch. The fact that the wars have left their mark is apparent from the fact that the ex-soldier digs immense tunnels(!) under his home for fun. When his foster daughter decides to visit her from her estranged father in Mexico, things go wrong. She falls into the hands of ruthless people smugglers. Rambo decides to track down and rescue her. This rescue mission degenerates into a bloodbath.

A lot can happen in 37 years. Rambo, for example, is no longer a muscular demigod. Stallone has let himself go (probably 37 kilos) and wisely decided to keep his shirt on. The actor is clearly much too old for the role and a title like ‘Strambo’ would have been more appropriate. What’s worse is that this movie has nothing to say. This part is a faded copy of ‘Taken’, but with an iconic character who caused a furore in the eighties in the lead role.

Although there is a lot wrong with this production, ‘Last Blood’ is surprisingly old-fashioned. The villains are painfully one-dimensional and conform to the stereotype surrounding Mexicans. Bad accents, involvement in drug cartels, dirty alleys, gangs and the flamboyant clothing: all prejudices are ticked. The only ‘good’ Mexican is the “independent journalist” (who in turn lost a family member to an overdose as a result of working with the cartel). Mexico doesn’t look good in this movie. Another part in which director Adrian Grunberg does not hold back is with showing violence. The finale can be compared to an episode from the ‘Saw’ franchise rather than a standard Hollywood action spectacle. Heads were swept away by a shotgun, after which the remaining stump is also treated to a shot of hail. “Look at me being gross!” screams the movie. Grunberg tries excessively hard to shock his audience with violent scenes. Because these explosions of violence are so over-the-top, the film can almost be called comical.

The run-up to the grotesque ending, which can best be described as a combination between ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Saw’, is a long time coming. Too long. The introduction to Rambo’s family situation is dull and flat. The chance that you will become attached to the foster daughter and her mother is nil. ‘Rambo: Last Blood’ is actually a rather childish film that wants to be very tough, but does it so clumsily that it can almost be called cute. Rambo is no longer the cool killer he used to be, but that unintentionally funny beer-bellied uncle who dishes up his stories from his army period. Entertaining for a short while, but high time to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. You’ve got it Stallone!