Laugh if you must, but as idiotic as the three "Rambo" movies are, at least anyone can see that they can be appreciated only in widescreen format. The action scenes in all three movies are staged to make use of every bit of frame. Thanks to Pioneer then for finally reissuing letterboxed editions of 'First Blood' (1982), 'Rambo: First Blood Part II' (1985) and 'Rambo III' (1988).
'First Blood' was previously available in widescreen but this is the first time the two later films have been letterboxed. Watching these films in their proper scope ratios again, I was amazed at how I was ever able to comprehend the action on the previous panned-and-scanned editions. Furthermore, the digital surround sound is astounding, with each film’s soundtrack getting progressively more aggressive, demonstrating better aural fireworks that reflecting each film’s improvements in budget and scale. The battle scenes involving helicopters may just have your neighbors ducking for cover.
Visually, the series’ best sequence is in 'Rambo III', when Stallone hunts down some Afgan baddies in a cave, armed with a bow, with blue glow lights attached to the arrows. The sharpness of the laser image enhances this sequence, making it look that much cooler. I only wish Pioneer had included the trailers for each film, which would have made for a perfect cross-promotional gimmick.
Vital statistics: Live Home Video, 2 sides each, CLV, Anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1), Chapter stops, Stereo Surround, $39.95 each.
S. Damien Segal.
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