First Blood (1982)

	Directed by: Ted Kotcheff	COUNTRY USA Genre Action NORWEGIAN TITLE Rambo RUNNING TIME 97 minutes
	Produced by: Buzz Feitshans
	Written by (from David Morrell's novel): Michael Kozoll William Sackheim Q. Moonblood

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
John J. Rambo	Sylvester Stallone	½
Colonel Sam Trautman	Richard Crenna	½
Sheriff Will Teasle	Brian Dennehy
State Police Capt. Dave Kern	Bill McKinney
Deputy Sergeant Art Galt	Jack Starrett
Deputy Balford	Michael Talbott	½
Deputy Ward	Chris Mulkey	½
Deputy Mitch	David Caruso	½

Review

This action classic is based on David Morrell's novel, though extensively modified to fit Sylvester Stallone's persona and the Reagan-era American action formula. As a character study, First Blood is close to interesting. Stallone has moments of fine acting in which he draws inspiration from Rocky Balboa. In the film's first half, it is engaging enough, directed with fine pace and good, old-fashioned, one-man-army action. Of course, most of Rambo's opponents are borderline caricatured, which undermines the level of seriousness the film wants to add to the Rambo character. What at times resembles Michael Cimino material at the next turn becomes all banal characterisations and cheap action. The latter vouches for good fun, at least up until a certain point. Rambo has his edge in the forest, but when the film moves into town, you may start expecting Brigitte Nielsen to show up at any time.