Popcorn and Pen

John Rambo is back – older and bloodier than ever before.

Just like in 2006’s “Rocky Balboa,” Sylvester Stallone again tries to resurrect one of his iconic ’80s roles. But unlike Rocky, the heart and full-circle storyline was absent in “Rambo.” Instead of trying to capture the attention of various audiences, “Rambo” focuses in on its target audience –  men who like violence.

And violence they shall receive – especially the final 30+ minutes of the film. While an attempt is made at trying to create a plot and storyline, any true Rambo fan knows the movie is based purely on action.

In the latest installment, Rambo has retreated to a simple life in a rural Thai village near the Burmese border – capturing snakes for local entertainers and transporting roamers in his old PT boat. Even though he is looking to avoid trouble, trouble has a way of finding him – a group of Christian human rights missionaries, led by Michael Burnett and Sarah Miller, approach Rambo with the desire to rent his boat to travel up the river to Burma.

For over fifty years, Burma has been a war zone. The Karen people of the region, who consist of peasants and farmers, have endured brutally oppressive rule from the murderous Burmese military and have been struggling for survival every single day. After some inner contemplation, Rambo accepts the offer and takes Michael, Sarah, and the rest of the missionaries up the river.

The humanitarian mission is going well, until the village is attacked and the missionaries are kidnapped or killed. Concerned by their disappearance, the minister in charge of the mission gathers a group of mercenaries and pleas for Rambo to transport them with his boat, since he knows their last exact location.

Rambo is instructed to stay with the boat as the mercenaries prepare to head to the Karen village. But nobody tells Rambo what to do, especially when he packs his bow and arrow and hunter’s knife.

“Rambo,” a Lionsgate release, is rated R for strong graphic bloody violence, sexual assaults, grisly images and language. Running time: 91 min.