MovieChat Forums > First Blood (1982) Discussion > #1 Greatest Action Movie Ever Made

#1 Greatest Action Movie Ever Made

posted 8 years ago by tabbycat
13 replies | jump to latest

The energy, originality, and surprise ... over varied and unpredictable terrain. By the end of the second act, when the booby trap symphony erupts, I felt anything could happen. Add to that a first-rate cast -- Dennehy, Crenna, and Jack Starrett (one of the most underrated character actors of the period) -- PLUS a gut-wrenching conflict from undeserved oppression by authority, and you've got celluloid dynamite.

If you've come up with one you think beats it, I'm listening.
I haven't.

[–] Hendry_William_French 8 years ago

When it comes to action movies, there's Rambo, then there's everything else.

Motown, get your Detroit jukebox jheri curl ass in this chicken sh!t chop-chop, ASAFP!

[–] izzy520i 8 years ago

When it comes to action movies, there's Rambo, then there's everything else. --> Lonestarr_Winnebago

Nice take on Rambo's significance in the action movie genre 👍

[–] Hendry_William_French 8 years ago

Thanks, dude.

There's been a lot of great action films and characters, but First Blood got it all running, and the character of Rambo was something unique. Rambo was also very humanized as well, he wasn't a potty mouth or a wise ass - his character had a back story and a real presence.

Also, Rambo II got dismissed as ott and mindlessly violent, but it was the 80s incarnation of the ultimate action feature, featuring wild west draws between gunships and a Tarzan/Hercules-type hero in the jungle. Really original, larger than life stuff that offset the things that the detractors criticized. The heroic imagery in it is arguably the most distinctive of all time.

The 80s Rambo movies were something special. They really made the action genre their own.

And you can deal with me; Doug Masters!

[–] izzy520i 8 years ago

I saw both Rambo 2 and 3 first before I saw First Blood, so the Rambo movies hold more dear for me. First Blood was more of a serious but strong movie, whilst the Rambo movies were OTT 80s action cheese. Which I welcome :-)

Rambo 2 especially has scenes which will be forever linked to my carefree youth days. From the opening credit sequence of the helicopter at the temple with the eerie music background, the 'I'm expendable' mumble, the 'Murdock I'm coming to get you' scene complete with thunderclap and all, the mud scene, the bow-arrow scene with that soldier who just waited for Rambo to take slowly take arrow out to shoot him, and of course the epilogue with Rambo delivering a sermon commanding respect that not even any president or prime minister can even hope of equalling. And then walking into the sunset fade to black (with brother Frank singing in background).

For me Stallone was THE action hero of the 80s, and no Arnolds or Bruces could even touch him.

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[–] SilentNightDeadlyNight2807 8 years ago

Absolutely the best action movie ever made, much better than those Die Hard films.

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[–] residentevil6901 8 years ago

I absolutely love this movie, it is one of my favorites but to call it the #1 greatest action movie ever made is a bit of a stretch. I can see though why you would call it that as it is great. My favorite part of the whole movie is when he's made it back to town and is completely destroying the place.

[–] tabbycat 8 years ago

As I have invited others, so I invite you to name one better and explain your choice.