Rambo III

The basic storyline is practically identical to the second installment, so don't expect anything new. Rambo III is just a mindless action film, built upon two things: a plethora of action, which Peter MacDonald isn't skilled at directing, and Sylvester Stallone, who, in the role of the brave and unbeatable Rambo, mows down all possible and impossible enemies and can operate everything from a Jeep to a helicopter to a tank. (07/07/2005)

John "Lone Wolf" Rambo ventured into the rugged landscapes of Afghanistan, turning stones in search of his most daring adventure yet. This time, the creators spared no ammunition, so machine gun rounds burst even from unguided missile launchers hanging from helicopter suspensions. There was more of everything — more helicopters, technology, explosions, and, of course, grandiosity. There was an abundance of that. The filmmakers were unaware of that at the time but, from today's perspective Colonel Trautman's speech about Afghanistan seems both accurate and ironical. However, I can't laud the action too much this time. The creators got carried away, concocting indigestible nonsense, including a peculiar use (and effect) of Molotov cocktails in anti-tank combat and the chaotic two-against-all fight near the movie's end. As I watched, I couldn't fathom how the Soviets managed to stay there for so long. Despite its weaknesses, I must credit the film for laying the groundwork for Hot Shots! Part Deux. / Lesson learned: Beware of cunning Afghans. (16/11/2022)

A quiet echo of the Cold War and a very peculiar anti-communist agitprop in a Rambo-esque way. The director and screenwriter (not including Stallone) make it clear that their creations only belong on the mediocre shelves of video stores, as their later films confirmed. Rambo III is a mere copy of the second film, with an unnecessary overload of scenes that are meant to de-mythologize the action icon as a cold killer and portray him as an ordinary man with concern for others (money for monks, repairing a temple, talking to Mujahideen fighters). This all feels a bit comical in contrast to the monstrous action that broke with reality in a bad way after the second installment. As a sign of peace, however, a lady named Nostalgia waves a white handkerchief between the viewer and the film in the end, which has me giving it a rating just below five stars. (05/09/2007)

What used to make Ramba in my eyes, hasn't been lost even here, and "the one whose war is over" still has a lot going for him with the look of an older basset hound. Thanks to the second "Hot Shots", however, the first half-hour can hardly be taken seriously, especially the dialogue "I'll tell you a story, John". But even the most heated episode of the series doesn't take the magic of memories too far. (17/03/2006)

John Rambo punished Afghanistan in this movie. He shot whatever he could, killed whomever he could and let half of the country explode… and all of that to save a few people. But it was still great. A classic action where Sly kills on sight and I had to laugh for about three thirds of the movie. That’s what happens when you watch Hot Shots! before Rambo III in Afghanistan. (15/10/2012)