Rambo (Extended Cut) (Blu-ray Review)

Not exactly the hyper-violent extended cut I was hoping for, but still worth a look.

Given the number of franchise reboots in recent memory, it wasn’t terribly surprising when I first heard of Sylvester Stallone’s intention to bring the Rambo franchise back to the big screen. After all, the reluctant action hero still resides among Hollywood’s list of iconic characters, gradually acquiring a growing fanbase over nearly three decades. Though I wouldn’t count myself among the devoted followers of the original trilogy, the film buff side of me always has a sense of reserva...

Video

Presented in 1080p utilizing the AVC codec (at an average bitrate of 22Mbps), John Rambo incorporates all of the strengths found in the original Blu-ray release, while seamlessly integrating the new footage as if there from day one. Fine object detail is abundantly clear, revealing every blood splattered CGI effect with almost too much precision (occasionally wavering into fake territory). Whether we’re witnessing shots of the lush green jungle, or close-ups of actor’s faces, every text...

Audio

Perhaps it was just my ears playing tricks on me, but I felt the volume level on this release was a little higher than the prior edition. After only stepping away for several minutes between my double-feature viewing session, I quickly found myself fumbling with the remote to diminish the ensuing earthquake that pounded my home theater. Quite simply, John Rambo is the type of film that will literally take your breath away with the constant aural assault, leaving a lasting impression tha...

Supplements

Rambo: To Hell and Back (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 83:33 min): Structured as a complete production diary of the 42-day shooting schedule, this supplement can be played in its entirety or easily broken down over the course of multiple nights. In essence, this fascinating behind the scenes supplement displays on-set footage of the cast and crew while Stallone provides an enlightening after-the-fact commentary track. If you ever thought Stallone was simply a knucklehead action star with big muscle...

Final Words

Forming a recommendation on the extended Blu-ray edition of John Rambo is almost an exercise in futility. On the one hand, we have Stallone’s incredible production diary, which almost elevates this into “thumbs up” territory for the avid Rambo fan. However, the lack of meaty additions to the film itself leaves little cause for current owners to upgrade, creating a difficult decision between the two options. Both editions can be had for around the same price, but each offers a slightly ......

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Rambo (Extended Cut) (Blu-ray Review)