Review: Rambo: Last Blood

John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is back for his fifth and final chapter. At the end of the last Rambo film, we saw John walking back to his family farm and the life he spent so much time running away from. Now he has settled into this new life filled with horses, a barn and people he cares about.

Maria (Adriana Barraza) and Gabrielle (Yvette Mondreal) are part of his world and a make-shift family for a man with few connections and a troubled past. The past which returns to John in flashes and takes a mental toll. Also dealing with her past is Gabrielle, a young newly graduated student with her whole life in front of her. But first, she feels she must confront her once father and ask why he abandoned his wife and child. Traveling to Mexico to find him leads to high emotions and a new trouble.

Taken hostage, Gabrielle finds herself in the midst of gangsters and killers. Her only hope is Rambo, but does he have the skills and mental stability to finish this final mission?

The first thing I will say in regards to this film is, beware of blood, gore and violence. Anyone that watched the last Rambo knows that “kill counts” tend to ride high when John is near. This time though, we switched from the special efx blood for more tactile and real looking gore. Never has violence been so literal.

Once you get past that though, you’ll find a story that somewhat follows the Taken series, except this film takes every opportunity to go down a darker path. Anger and revenge ride shotgun constantly with glimpses of emotional moments from Stallone in-between. I actually enjoyed the film for what it was. Yes it was super violent, but it also had some well written moments and a fun revenge sequence. So if you want to see the hero make the bad guys pay and you aren’t too squeamish, then Last Blood may be for you. Not an amazing way to end the franchise, but not the worst either.

Grade: C
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time 1h 41m