I’d been interested for some time to see the new Stallone sequel John Rambo. I enjoyed Rocky Balboa for the nostalgia it provided because Stallone gave that movie a certain grace, but I had no idea what to expect with this latest Rambo caper.

The main reason for my interest was because the movie is set so close to home – in Northern Thailand and Burma. I think Stallone really tried to make this work, but he ultimately gets lost by trying to develop lifeless characters played by bad actors who have been given minimal dialogue to work with.

The ideology behind the film is entirely forced and begins to sound like one man preaching. The Rambo character is strong, but ultimately let down by a completely lame supporting cast. What is done exceptionally well in this movie is the depiction in real-time of the devastation caused by bullets, grenades, mines, bombs and… arrows.

Nothing lets the movie down more than the idiotic missionaries who at no time do you care about or want to be rescued. A highlight is seeing one of them strung up and dangling with his legs being eaten by pigs. Why on Earth would Rambo go in to rescue a bunch of pathetic do-gooders? The weak lineup of mercenaries doesn’t help much.

I didn’t dislike the movie, but I think it could have done a lot more to really show the world something about the crisis in Burma. I like Stallone and I think he’s often unfairly dismissed by critics, but unless you’re a diehard Rambo fan, there isn’t much point in this movie.

Also, Stallone is enormous – literally. His gigantic body looks bizarre.

Has anyone else seen it yet? Thoughts?