Preview: Rambo (2008)

• Poster: B-; B-

Review:

Too much resembling the much-hyped poster for 3:10 to Yuma and vaguely reminiscent of the one designed for Unforgiven, the Rambo poster seems out of place as it is an action film, not a Western for which this style seems mroe fitting.

A little less stylized than the first poster, this one features a full face-front view of Sylvester Stallone in, presumably, an scene from the film. The best thing that it does is highlight how old and unexceptional the film's lead is.

• Trailer: C-; D+

Review:

Sylvester Stallone can't keep from trying to find old glory for himself. The plot takes into account his age (just like the newest Rocky film), but behind his eyes there's a desparation that makes the film seem more like a grab for attention and a few meager bucks than an impassioned return to the other film series that kept him rolling in dough.

Oh the violent action. This trailer doesn't scream "career resurrection attempt" but it does shout "waste of time". This movies concept was difficult to swallow in the first trailer, but now there's virtually no semblance of plot, meaning they are only after the male crowd who enjoys such crap.

Oscar Prospects:

Rightfully, the Academy ignored Stallone's last plea for attention. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't hold true to style especially since the Rambo franchise was never Oscar-friendly, unlike the original Best Picture-winning Rocky film.

Release Date:

• January 25, 2008

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (October 27, 2007) Original

-Wesley Lovell (December 15, 2007) New Trailer

-Wesley Lovell (February 16, 2008) New Poster; Buy the Poster Enabled