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Sylvester Stallone, renowned for his iconic roles in some of the most memorable action movies, from the Rocky series to standalone shoot-em-ups, holds an interesting choice for his personal action highlight. According to Stallone, his 2008 film “Rambo,” the fourth installment in the franchise, stands out as the best action movie he has ever made, despite its controversial nature.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stallone expressed pride in “Rambo IV,” emphasizing its authenticity. He stated, “One film I’m truly proud of — it’s the best action film I’ve ever done because it’s the most truthful — is Rambo IV, dealing with Burma, where they’ve had a civil war for 67 years.”
The movie unfolds as Rambo undertakes the task of transporting mercenaries on a rescue mission into a village in Burma, a country that was then under military junta rule. Unsurprisingly, the film faced censorship and was banned in Burma, now known as Myanmar.
Stallone acknowledged the criticism the movie received, particularly for its intense violence. He reflected on the film’s brutality, saying, “I got excoriated because the movie’s so violent. And it is violent. It’s horrifying. It’s children being burnt alive. That’s what makes civil war worse than anything: it’s your neighbour, all of a sudden, killing you. I was really happy with that film, and I never thought it would ever reach the theatre. I thought: ‘They’re never going to show this’.”
Despite facing negative reviews, particularly for its graphic content, “Rambo IV” left an indelible mark on Stallone, not just for its action sequences but for its unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities of civil war. The film’s controversy didn’t deter Stallone’s satisfaction with the project, showcasing his commitment to pushing boundaries within the action genre.
Following a hiatus after “Rambo IV,” the franchise returned with its fifth and final installment, “Last Blood,” in 2019. However, reviews for the concluding chapter were, according to Stallone, even less favorable.