Sunday, July 05, 2009

First Blood (1982)


Rambo’s cinematic nativity First Blood borrows significantly from America’s pastoral heritage. Like some mythological figure, he – among the most iconic of action heroes – is inexorably connected to the woods—they gave birth to him (in more ways than one), and it is to the woods that he both continually comes and goes. Tempting as it is to rhapsodize over the many awesome things Rambo does in the movie – from ambushing the police in the woods to his one-man apocalypse that brings a city to its knees – it’s crucial to consider the natural progression of the film itself. Bits of action are orchestrated between largely atmospheric sequences that not only call attention to the gorgeous location photography shot at Golden Ears Park in British Columbia, but also carry an ethereal presence not often associated with the action genre. An elegiac prologue at a country home gives way to a slow burning urban paranoia that culminates in a chase leading back to the woods. Always back to woods, like an irrepressible refrain. Something innate within Rambo beckons him to return to nature, a call of the wild to which he always answers.

Read my full essay on First Blood here at Not Coming to a Theater Near You

4 comments:

Paul D Brazill said...

very nice piece indeed.

Anonymous said...

It was rather interesting for me to read that blog. Thanks for it. I like such themes and everything connected to this matter. BTW, try to add some photos :).

creative writing service said...

I think in an alternative ending, where Rambo wants to die. He gives a gun to Trautman, and tells him to kill him. Trautman doesn't do anything. Rambo pushes the trigger while it's in Trautman's hand, and dies. Trautman then is mad and walks away.

custom essay writing said...

It's a classic Stalone movie!! Golden collection of cinematography I'd even say!! All time movie