Rambo: First Blood Part II
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | War action movie |
Rambo: First Blood Part II is a 1985 American war action movie featuring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran. Serving as the sequel to First Blood (1982), it represents the second chapter in the Rambo series. Directed by George P. Cosmatos and based on a story by Kevin Jarre, the screenplay was co-written by James Cameron and Stallone. The cast also includes Richard Crenna returning as Colonel Sam Trautman, alongside Charles Napier, Julia Nickson, and Steven Berkoff.
The narrative follows Rambo’s release from incarceration by the U.S. government to verify the existence of prisoners of war (POWs) still held in Vietnam. He is explicitly instructed not to attempt any rescues but chooses to defy these orders, employing his combat expertise to save the POWs.
Premiering on May 22, 1985, through Tri-Star Pictures, the film achieved blockbuster status worldwide, earning around $150 million domestically. It was the second highest-grossing film in the United States for that year and ranked third globally. This installment remains one of the most iconic within the franchise, spawning numerous imitations, parodies, and video game adaptations. In 2009, Entertainment Weekly placed it at number 23 on its list of "The Best Rock-'em, Sock-'em Movies of the Past 25 Years".
Though commercially successful, critical reception was divided; many reviewers felt it compromised the original film’s complexity in favor of a standard action hero depiction. The movie received seven nominations at the 6th Golden Raspberry Awards, winning four including Worst Picture, yet it also earned a nomination for Best Sound Effects Editing at the 58th Academy Awards.
Plot
Set three years after the events in Hope, Washington, former U.S. Army Green Beret John Rambo is confined in a penal labor camp. His Vietnam War commander, Colonel Sam Trautman, informs him that pressure is mounting on the U.S. government due to reports indicating POWs remain captive in Vietnam. To address public concerns, a solo reconnaissance mission is authorized to verify these claims, with Rambo selected for his familiarity with the POW camp. He consents in return for a presidential pardon.
In Thailand, Rambo and Trautman meet helicopter pilot Ericson, his associate Lifer, and bureaucrat Marshall Murdock who supervises the operation. Rambo’s objective is to photograph a suspected POW camp without engaging or attempting rescue efforts. Trautman is the sole trusted participant on this mission.
During insertion, Rambo’s parachute becomes entangled, forcing him to cut it loose and discard most equipment except for knives and a bow and arrow. His contact, Vietnamese intelligence agent Co Bao, arranges river pirates to transport them upriver. At the camp commanded by Captain Vinh and Lieutenant Tay, Rambo confirms POW presence and rescues Banks despite explicit orders not to.
As they try to retreat, river pirates betray them; Rambo eliminates them and disables an approaching gunboat using an RPG. Before extraction can occur, Rambo and Banks separate from Co Bao. Amid mortar fire, their rescue helicopter arrives but Murdock orders an abort. Lifer restrains Trautman from intervening; Rambo and Banks are captured. Murdock reveals that the mission was a façade designed to avoid political consequences or war over POWs.
At the camp, Rambo discovers Soviet military involvement. Soviet liaison Lieutenant Colonel Podovsky and Sergeant Yushin subject him to torture and interrogation. Podovsky demands Rambo broadcast a warning message to Murdock; after threats against Banks’ life, Rambo complies but secretly contacts his base. With Co’s assistance, he overpowers his captors and escapes; however, Co is fatally shot by Lieutenant Tay. Rambo buries her and pledges to honor her memory.
Employing guerrilla warfare tactics, Rambo eliminates Vietnamese and Russian troops, including killing Tay with an explosive arrow. After Yushin attacks from a helicopter, Rambo kills him as well, commandeers the helicopter, bombards the camp, and liberates Banks along with other POWs. Pursued by Podovsky piloting an attack helicopter, Rambo feigns a crash before destroying it using a rocket launcher.
Back at base, Rambo confronts Ericson for abandoning him and destroys mission control equipment in frustration. He threatens Murdock while demanding further rescue operations for POWs. Trautman urges him to return to civilian life; however, Rambo insists that the nation must support its soldiers as they have supported it. When asked how he plans to live moving forward, Rambo responds "day by day" before walking away.
Development and writing
The sequel to First Blood entered development following Carolco Pictures' sale of international distribution rights in 1983, with an initial release date set for December 1984, later postponed to August 1, 1985.
Screenwriter Kevin Jarre crafted a treatment that resonated with both producers and Stallone, centering on a POW rescue mission in Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, the storyline bears resemblance to Ted Kotcheff's Uncommon Valor, another project produced by Buzz Feitshans.
James Cameron was brought on board to write the screenplay while concurrently working on The Terminator and Aliens. His version, titled First Blood II: The Mission, preserved the core narrative but featured heightened violence. Cameron described his script as a broad, stylized adventure, differing from the original film’s focus on social issues.
Stallone subsequently assumed responsibility for the screenplay, delivering the final version. Jarre received sole credit for the story, whereas Stallone and Cameron were acknowledged for the screenplay. Jarre remarked that little of his original treatment remained intact, while Cameron explained that he emphasized action sequences and Stallone concentrated on political elements.
During a 2006 Q&A session, Stallone highlighted the political dimensions he introduced, contrasting Trautman’s conservative viewpoint with Rambo’s neutral stance expressed in the concluding speech. He also mentioned that Cameron’s draft postponed action scenes and included a technologically adept sidekick, which Stallone ultimately rejected.
Producers desired a partner for Rambo; John Travolta was considered but dismissed by Stallone. Lee Marvin turned down the role of Major Murdock, which was eventually assigned to Charles Napier.
Prior to filming, Stallone engaged in rigorous physical training to attain a muscular build, solidifying his status as an iconic action star.
Filming
Principal photography took place from June through August 1984 across locations in Guerrero, Mexico, and Thailand. During production, assistant editor Ron South began his career in film. Unfortunately, special effects technician Clifford P. Wenger, Jr. lost his life in an accident involving an explosion near a waterfall.
Music
Jerry Goldsmith composed the score, conducting the National Philharmonic Orchestra and integrating synthesized sounds. The main theme song was performed by Frank Stallone, Sylvester Stallone’s brother. The original soundtrack was released by Varèse Sarabande.
Marketing
A teaser trailer for Rambo: First Blood Part II, then known as First Blood Part II: The Mission, debuted in 3,000 theaters during summer 1984—over a year prior to its August 1985 release. Producer Mario Kassar capitalized on this early promotion to build upon the success of the original film. The movie also benefited from extensive merchandising campaigns, with posters and related toys selling rapidly despite its R rating.
Home media
The U.S. home video launch by Thorn EMI/HBO Video in early 1986 achieved record sales of 425,000 units on its first day at a retail price of $79.95, breaking previous records. The DVD edition was released on November 23, 2004; followed by Blu-ray on May 23, 2008; and a 4K UHD Blu-ray edition on November 13, 2018.
Box office
Rambo: First Blood Part II debuted across the United States on May 22, 1985, launching in a then-unprecedented 2,074 theaters, marking it as the first motion picture to open in over 2,000 venues nationwide. It secured the top spot at the box office that weekend, generating $20.2 million in revenue. The film amassed $150.4 million domestically (US and Canada) and an additional $150 million from international markets, culminating in a global total of $300.4 million. It shattered several international box office benchmarks, including a record-breaking opening weekend in the United Kingdom with £1.1 million earned from 322 screens, surpassing the previous record held by E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). In France, it achieved a record-setting opening day attendance of 269,564 admissions and surpassed two million admissions during its first week.
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds an approval rating based on multiple reviews, with consensus indicating that while it appeals to fans of the genre, it reduces its lead character to a conventional action archetype. According to Metacritic, it has a score of 47 out of 100 based on 15 critic reviews, reflecting "mixed or average" feedback.
Reviewers emphasized its commercial intent over narrative depth. Vincent Canby of The New York Times characterized the film as opportunistic, prioritizing Stallone’s action hero image rather than effectively exploring the M.I.A. storyline. Variety criticized both the implausibility of the plot and the portrayal of characters. Gene Siskel from the Chicago Tribune awarded three out of four stars but pointed out concerns regarding racial stereotypes within the film. Michael Wilmington of the Los Angeles Times noted that the protagonist’s invulnerability diminished suspense throughout the movie. Pauline Kael from The New Yorker described it as professionally crafted yet fundamentally absurd beneath its polished exterior. Paul Attanasio of The Washington Post labeled it a crude right-wing spectacle focused on Stallone’s persona.
John Nubbin of Different Worlds commended the film’s action sequences and technical execution, particularly praising its cinematography and Jerry Goldsmith’s original musical score.
Additionally, Rambo: First Blood Part II is featured in Golden Raspberry Award founder John J. B. Wilson's book The Official Razzie Movie Guide as one of The 100 Most Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made.
Accolades
| Award | Category | Nominee | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Award | Best Sound Editing | Frederick Brown | Template:Nom |
| Razzie Award | Worst Picture | Buzz Feitshans | Template:Won |
| Worst Actor | Sylvester Stallone | Template:Won | |
| Worst Screenplay | Template:Won | ||
| James Cameron | Template:Won | ||
| Worst Original Song | Frank Stallone ("Peace in Our Life") | Template:Won | |
| Worst Supporting Actress | Julia Nickson | Template:Nom | |
| Worst New Star | Template:Nom | ||
| Worst Director | George Cosmatos | Template:Nom |
Sequel
The follow-up film, Rambo III, debuted in 1988.
Novelization
David Morrell, the original author of the First Blood novel, also wrote the novelization for Rambo: First Blood Part II.
Video games
Several video game adaptations linked to the movie were developed, including Rambo for platforms such as ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and Commodore 64; the NES version titled Rambo; and Rambo: First Blood Part II for the Master System. Additionally, versions for MSX and DOS were released. In 2008, Sega transformed battle sequences into the arcade title Rambo, followed by the 2014 release of Rambo: The Video Game, which encompassed events from the first three movies.
The 1986 arcade run-and-gun game Ikari Warriors was originally planned as a licensed adaptation of Rambo. However, due to delays in securing rights, it was launched under the name Ikari Warriors. After its North American release, Sylvester Stallone was approached regarding licensing but it was too late to alter the game's title. Stallone maintained a professional connection with SNK's president and owned an arcade cabinet of Ikari Warriors.
In popular culture
- The Italian film Strike Commando serves as an imitation of Rambo: First Blood Part II
- The American comedy Hot Shots! Part Deux parodies both Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rambo III, with Richard Crenna reprising his role as the colonel
- The Kuwaiti action movie Second Blood draws inspiration from Rambo: First Blood Part II
- Within the 1989 comedy-parody film UHF, a fantasy sequence spoofs action scenes from Rambo: First Blood Part II. Although Sylvester Stallone initially consented to a cameo appearance, he eventually declined.