Rambo III (1988}

An over-the-top action movie that was filmed outside my home in Eilat, Israel. - JW

Weary of the horrors of war, the expert in guerrilla tactics, John Rambo, has settled in exotic Thailand since the suicide rescue mission in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985). However, John will return to action, when his grizzled mentor, Colonel Sam Trautman, gets trapped behind the enemy lines in Soviet-infested Afghanistan, after a botched attempt to aid the remaining rebel pockets. Now, there's no turning back--and as each minute counts--John must act fast before it's too late. Once more, the government will deny John's existence if the men of the ruthless Soviet Colonel, Zaysen, capture him. But, John shows no mercy, and, this time, he fights for his friend. Can Rambo save the only man who ever stood by him?

From IMDB:

9/10
Rambo Has No Mercy for the Soviets!

Legendary second unit director Peter MacDonald took over directing "Rambo III" after Stallone fired "Highlander" helmer Russell Mulcahy over creative differences. Although it didn't coin the bucks that "Rambo II" earned, "Rambo III" is a spectacular, action-packed adventure saga that deploys Stallone to great effect. Stallone was in top shape with opposing pectoral scares and looking like an Apache on the war path with his headband and long hair. The exciting but outlandish screenplay credited to Stallone and Sheldon Lettich breaks down into six essential sections: (1) Rambo's savage stick fight in Thailand and his meeting at the monastery with Colonel Trautman, (2) Trautman's capture by the Soviets, (3) Rambo's horseback ride into Afghanistan and his reception by the Mujahedeen, (4) Rambo's nocturnal raid on the Soviet fortress, (5) Rambo's tense rescue of Trautman against overwhelming odds, and (6) Rambo's fight battle with the Soviet commander flying a heavily armed helicopter. MacDonald doesn't let the pace slacken for a moment after Rambo leads his raid on the Soviet fortress. As usual, the camaraderie between Stallone and co-star Richard Crenna is flavorful. The gorgeous scenic beauty of Israel and Arizona is an added asset as is Jerry Goldsmith's atmospheric orchestral score.

Disillusioned Vietnam veteran John Jay Rambo's close friend and former commanding officer Colonel Samuel Trautman (Richard Crenna of "Wait Until Dark" ) fails to convince Rambo to accompany him into Afghanistan on a secret mission to aid Mujahedeen freedom fighters battling invading Soviet troops. Trautman's mission involves finding a way to smuggle Stinger missiles into a remote province of Afghanistan that the Soviets have sealed shut. Predictably, no sooner has Trautman embarked on his mission than the Soviets not only surprise him but also take him prisoner. Unofficially, Embassy Field Officer Robert Griggs (Kurtwood Smith of "RoboCop" ) promises to arm Rambo with weapons, but our pugnacious hero must effect Trautman's rescue without U.S. manpower. Meantime, Soviet Colonel Zaysen (Marc de Jonge) has no luck interrogating Trautman about the weapons that he believes Trautman has smuggled into the country. Initially, when Rambo shows up in Afghanistan, the local fighters dismiss him with contempt as a 'tourist' with little combat experience. Rambo remains mum about his skills, and he is taken into the interior on horseback Afghani resistance leader Masoud (Spiros Focás of "Rocco and His Brothers" ) to see Mousa Gani. Eventually, he links up with Gani, but the Mujahedeen refuse to aid him for his night-time incursion into the prison to rescue Trautman.

"Rambo III" ranks as a slam-bang, action-oriented, shoot'em up.

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