Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

Intro
"Rambo: First Blood Part II" (1985) is the 2nd installation of the popular Rambo franchise, directed by George P. Cosmatos and starring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a struggling and competent Vietnam War veteran. This action-packed follow up follows the storyline of Rambo being launched from jail on a private assignment back to Vietnam to verify MIA (missing in action) reports.

Plot Summary
In "Rambo: First Blood Part II", Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna) provides Rambo his flexibility if he accepts to undertake a secret mission. The mission is to return to Vietnam where he was as soon as a prisoner of war, to photograph a camp reported to host American POWs. Nevertheless, specific guidelines are offered not to engage the enemy. Upon his drop in Vietnam, Rambo's parachute ends up being tangled and he loses most of his equipment, forcing him to rely on his survival abilities. He still manages to tape-record evidence of POWs being cooped.

Mission Complications and Romantic Interest
However, things go awry as deceit can be found in play. The objective commander, Murdock (Charles Napier), knowing that detainees were being held, terminates the objective, leaving Rambo and his newly found ally, female Vietnamese freedom fighter Co Bao (Julia Nickson), stranded. Co Bao and Rambo form a tight bond, escalating to a romantic interest. Regrettably, Co Bao is killed throughout their escape, heightening Rambo's decision.

Escape and Retribution
Taken captive by Lieutenant Tay (George Cheung), Rambo undergoes harsh torture. He manages to escape his cell in an impressive action sequence that includes eradicating lots of guards, commandeering a chopper, and eliminating the Vietnamese and Russian allies. Rambo returns to the camp he was expected to simply picture, and created chaos to rescue the American POWs. He then flies the saved POWs back to the American base.

Climax and Conclusion
On his return, a conflict ensues in between him and Murdock. Rambo, bitter and betrayed, utilizes his intimidation and a display of his combat skills to force Murdock to rescue all remaining POWs. The movie ends with Rambo defiantly turning down to return house, preferring to live amongst the residents, setting the tone for the follows up to follow.

Overall Review
"Rambo: First Blood Part II" brings back the Stallone character with a vengeance, making the 2nd installment of the franchise a bigger, louder, and more successful endeavor. Although criticized for its increased violence and basic plot, the motion picture is typically admired for its extreme action scenes, quickly pacing and Stallone's raw, charming efficiency. It not only propagates the image of Rambo as a one-man army however also attempts tackling the delicate subject of Vietnam War and its after-effects.

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