Last arrow in the quiver

It’s hard not to be sentimental about a movie franchise that captured the imagination of a generation of angst-ridden teenagers. 'Rambo', the third sequel to 'First Blood', sees an ageing Sylvester Stallone reprise his role as the troubled special forces soldier with ultraviolent tendencies and a penchant for burning arrows.

Unfortunately the disappointment hits early on with the realisation that Rambo's final hurrah is not a patch on the taut intensity and cordite-chewing mayhem of its predecessors. Thankfully untouched are the studied thousand yard stare and the survival knife so beloved of Saturday afternoon soldiers and Stallone spitting such epic gems as "Live for something or die for nothing" and "When it comes down to it, killing is as easy as breathing."

The primary drivers here are clearly style and nostalgia, and a certain reliance on the cult following the series garnered a decade past. What little there is that vaguely resembles a plot revolves around a group of sanctimonious missionaries roping Rambo, who incidentally bears the name of a Pennsylvania apple, on a mercy mission to war-ravaged Burma.

As can be expected, things go awry and our hero is called upon to accompany a band of mercenaries on a rescue operation. Villainous Burmese generals blowing away mute civilians and playing grenade Olympics with prisoners, provide the cannon fodder. With a political statement like this, what odds on the Italian Stallion following his cohort Arnie onto the soapbox? Thankfully the movie doesn’t end with the installation of a puppet ‘democratic’ president.

In another significant departure from Rambo roots, the over the top blood and gore seems to have been designed to appeal to the new wave of youths. As bodies are maimed and entrails explode, you almost expect to find a pulsating liver lying on the seat next to you. And through it all Stallone, going on 60, looks positively Herculean, rendering his jugular-ripping high jinx entirely plausible.

The melancholy tones of the original Jerry Goldsmith score have been faithfully recreated by Brian Tyler, completing the retro picture. Watch out for the tumultuous climax, a fitting farewell to what must be the last cinema-goers will see of the most famous Vietnam Vet in celluloid history. Rest in peace John Rambo, we’ll carry the spirit of the red headband inside us for all time (and pray that there isn’t a sequel to 'The Specialist' in the works)…