Rambo (2008 film)

Rambo, also known as Rambo IV or Rambo: Last Blood in some territories, is a 2008 American action film directed by Sylvester Stallone. It is the fourth film in the Rambo franchise, following First Blood (1982), Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), and Rambo III (1988).

The film sees John Rambo, portrayed by Stallone, living a solitary life in northern Thailand, working as a snake catcher and ferrying people on his boat. He is drawn back into action when a group of Christian missionaries, led by Sarah Miller (Julie Benz) and Michael Burnett (Paul Schulze), seek his help to travel up the Salween River into Burma (Myanmar) to provide medical aid and humanitarian assistance to the Karen people, who are suffering under the brutal military regime.

Initially reluctant, Rambo eventually agrees to transport the missionaries. When they are subsequently captured by Burmese soldiers, their pastor enlists Rambo and a group of mercenaries to rescue them. The film is known for its extreme violence and graphic depictions of warfare. It explores themes of trauma, redemption, and the cost of violence.

The screenplay was written by Art Monterastelli and Sylvester Stallone, based on a story by Stallone. Rambo was a box office success, grossing over $113 million worldwide against a production budget of approximately $50 million. It received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its action sequences and Stallone's performance, while others criticized its excessive violence and simplistic narrative. The film was followed by Rambo: Last Blood in 2019.