First Blood (1982)
Directed by Ted Kotcheff
95 minutes
Sylvester Stallone plays Vietnam veteran and occupational vagabond John Rambo, just returned from war. Without a home to call his own, he wanders the streets until arriving at a seemingly unassuming, small logging town. Although the sign at the town entrance reads "Welcome to Hope," there is none to be found in the city limits, only misery and mistreatment from the local law enforcement. When they push Rambo out of town without realizing the consequence of their actions, he comes back with a signature, no-holds-barred brand of retribution. FIRST BLOOD is a brutal critique of America's participation in Vietnam and an all-around action classic. (Sam Prime)