We’ve come a long way since First Blood. Rambo has turned from a meaningful piece on Vietnam War veterans into an over the top, stylistic action gore fest. While it’s a shame Rambo has taken the route of the sequels, dropping any subtext in the process, this is still a ridiculously fun action movie when it finally gets started.

Writer/director/star Sylvester Stallone attempts to draw attention to the horrific civil war in Burma and does so without flinching. Anyone even remotely sensitive to violent, disturbing images needs to stay away from Rambo. The opening newsreel footage is real, and sets the tone for the upcoming violence in eerie, believable fashion.

The villains are vile, and there’s little question that their eventual demise is warranted. Children are tossed into flaming buildings, women are gang raped, and for entertainment, innocent hostages are forced into ponds filled with land mines. The enemy is faceless and nameless, adding a cold, calculated heartlessness without even saying a word.

Questions about Stallone’s age are thrown out. As with Rocky Balboa, he looks weathered as if he has been through hell and back. It fits with both of his trademark characters given their experiences and the length of time that has passed since the last film in each franchise. The cheeky dialogue is cringe-worthy at times, impossible to dissect in others, and somehow effective in the end.

The Rambo character is brought out of retirement quickly because of a group of missionaries, led by actress Julie Benz. There’s a relationship or affection of some kind there, though it’s never brought to the front of the story. It’s Rambo’s only reason for going into the war zone, and this critical plot point remains relatively unclear.

There’s a similar feel to Rambo - First Blood Part II, given the setting. The boat rides, jungle brawls, and eventual goals of rescuing hostages are repeated from the first sequel. The pacing is also familiar, leading to a slow build before Rambo’s eventual rampage and audience payoff. Brian Tyler’s soundtrack is a fine way to mix new and old themes to connect Rambo with its predecessors.