'First Blood' proved that Sylvester Stallone did not have to wear boxing gloves to be successful. Stallone plays Rambo, a character that became even more iconic than Rocky. Although the Rambo character is often seen as a symbol for the right-wing Reagan era, the film is actually based on a 1970s novel with a definite anti-war message. Its author, John Morrell, was not too happy with the action hero John Rambo had been turned into but apparently his objections to Stallone's adjustments did not make turn down the offer to write the novelizations of the two sequels.
'First Blood' is first en foremost a solid action film with a gripping story line and some fine action scenes. In addition the film boasts strong performances by both Brian Dennehy as Will Teasle, the small town sheriff who makes the mistake of getting into Rambo's way and Richard Crenna as Rambo's former army superior Col. Samuel Trautman. It is a shame that the makers of the film decided to change the ending of the novel. The finale they have come up with instead seems somewhat of an anti-climax, as if it had been hastily changed just before the film was finished. Nevertheless I consider this film to be a true action classic.
'First Blood' is first en foremost a solid action film with a gripping story line and some fine action scenes. In addition the film boasts strong performances by both Brian Dennehy as Will Teasle, the small town sheriff who makes the mistake of getting into Rambo's way and Richard Crenna as Rambo's former army superior Col. Samuel Trautman. It is a shame that the makers of the film decided to change the ending of the novel. The finale they have come up with instead seems somewhat of an anti-climax, as if it had been hastily changed just before the film was finished. Nevertheless I consider this film to be a true action classic.