Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
Rambo: First Blood Part II is a 1985 American action film directed by George P. Cosmatos and co-written by Sylvester Stallone and James Cameron. It is the sequel to First Blood (1982) and the second installment in the Rambo franchise. The film follows Vietnam War veteran John Rambo, portrayed by Stallone, as he is released from prison by his former commander, Colonel Sam Trautman (Richard Crenna), for a covert mission back in Vietnam.
Rambo is sent to confirm reports of American POWs still being held in Vietnamese camps years after the war ended. The mission, however, is intended to be a simple reconnaissance operation — he is ordered not to engage the enemy. Rambo parachutes into the jungle and is guided by Co Bao (Julia Nickson), a local freedom fighter who becomes his ally. Despite the mission’s original directive, Rambo discovers a POW camp and rescues a prisoner, only to be betrayed by government official Marshall Murdock (Charles Napier), who orders Rambo’s abandonment in the field to cover up the truth.
Captured by Vietnamese forces and tortured, Rambo endures extreme conditions but eventually escapes. With Co Bao’s help, he returns to the camp, unleashes brutal vengeance, and rescues the remaining POWs. In a climactic battle, Rambo destroys enemy forces and escapes with the prisoners aboard a hijacked helicopter. After returning to the U.S. base in Thailand, Rambo confronts Murdock, forcing him to acknowledge the government’s betrayal of the POWs. The film ends with Rambo walking away, choosing a life of solitude over returning to America.
Rambo: First Blood Part II marks a dramatic shift in tone from the first film, turning John Rambo into a larger-than-life action hero and icon of 1980s cinema. Released in 1985 during the Reagan era, the film taps into the political sentiment of the time, particularly the belief that the U.S. government failed its soldiers during and after the Vietnam War. Unlike the more personal, psychological approach of First Blood, this sequel emphasizes action, spectacle, and patriotism.
John Rambo, a decorated but troubled Vietnam veteran, is serving time in prison after the events of the first film. Colonel Trautman offers him a chance at redemption by taking on a secret government mission: to verify the existence of POWs still held in Vietnam. The mission is backed by Murdock, a civilian bureaucrat who appears supportive but is more concerned with public relations than rescuing soldiers.
Rambo’s journey into the Vietnamese jungle is perilous and intense. He faces betrayal, torture, and the emotional toll of discovering abandoned comrades. The betrayal by Murdock exposes the moral corruption within the military bureaucracy. Despite the odds, Rambo fights back with ferocity, utilizing guerrilla tactics, his superior combat skills, and sheer determination to save the forgotten soldiers.
The film’s visual style is marked by explosive set pieces, jungle warfare, and heroic imagery. Its soundtrack, composed by Jerry Goldsmith, reinforces the emotional weight and action-driven momentum of the story. The character of Co Bao adds a humanizing element, and her death serves as a turning point for Rambo’s complete transformation into a symbol of vengeance and justice.
Though criticized for oversimplifying complex political issues, Rambo: First Blood Part II was a massive box office success and became a cultural touchstone. It cemented Stallone’s image as a Hollywood action star and helped define the 1980s action genre. The film continues to be referenced in pop culture and remains one of the most recognized entries in the Rambo franchise.
