For as long as the name Rambo has existed, perseverance has taken on a human form. A saga encompassing over three decades and five films culminates in “Rambo: Last Blood,” a thundering resolution to a franchise that echoed “Nothing is over.” 

Based on the novel “First Blood” by David Morrell, John Rambo first tore through cinema screens in 1982 as a Vietnam Green Beret veteran who waged a one-man war on his pursuers.

Nearly forty years after they drew first blood, Rambo, played by Hollywood heavyweight Sylvester Stallone, has buried his past life of toil and torment to live on a quaint, horse ranch he inherited from his late father in his hometown of Bowie, Arizona.

He tends the ranch with an old friend, Maria Beltran, and her granddaughter, Gabrielle. Following a surprising turn, Rambo must tie his headband once more and take up his role as a warrior to set things right, at all costs.

Along his journey, he wrestles with the demons from his past and will discover if he still has the strength to do what must be done. 

Despite unfavorable circumstances and impossible odds, fighting for the ones he loves ignites a primal instinct inside Rambo which distinctly resonates with any movie goer. Many real-life stories contain some level of adversity, whether it be an impending exam or a familial hardship, but through the determination and hope of looking beyond the horizon, the required strength manifests itself somehow. Rambo’s dedication to the person he cares for transcends the wounds and scars of his past and guides his spirit to continue forward, an emotion mirrored in numerous human experience off of the screen. 

For a film filled with gritty confrontations, cutthroat dialogue and startling dangers at every turn, “Rambo: Last Blood” also reveals a slightly untouched side of action flicks: heartfelt, untethered, raw emotion. Its multiplicity and boldness craft a tale far from the beaten trail but with a familiar cinematic style movie aficionados of any genre can enjoy.

The true beauty of this film lies in its simplicity. With a run-time of only an hour and 41 minutes, “Last Blood” provides an opportunity to escape the city, breathe in the desert air and share the final path of a legendary cinematic character.

Ultimately, Rambo’s bond as the guardian of his unofficial daughter Gabrielle adds the essential ingredient to this film. Aside from the cornucopia of explosions and gunshots, interpersonal connections between characters, who are not afraid to show the bottom of their boots, solidify emotional grounding in a scorching landscape of incessant thrills.

Additionally, emerging director Adrian Grunberg’s commanding style behind the camera presents an immersive experience between the mundane dirt and sun-soaked jeans, captivating the audience with a tale unlike any spaghetti western.

Stallone blends his hallmark unbreakable persona with authentic, emotionally gripping scenes. Through a combination of true grit and true heart, his satisfying reprisal of this relentless character ultimately makes “Rambo: Last Blood” quite a comprehensive film. 

Audiences will need an extra pair of spurs as Rambo, the eternal pillar of fortitude, saddles up for his last ride.