“Rambo: Last Blood” is the fifth and final movie in the iconic “Rambo” series, which was released in 2019. The movie sees Sylvester Stallone reprise his role as John Rambo, a retired Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran, who sets out to rescue his adopted niece from a Mexican cartel. The movie ends on a rather controversial note, with many fans and critics alike criticizing the ending for being poorly executed and feeling out of place with the overall tone of the movie. In this article, we will explore why Rambo: Last Blood’s ending didn’t work.
The Setup
The movie’s setup is rather straightforward: Rambo’s adopted niece, Gabrielle, travels to Mexico to find her estranged father, who abandoned her years ago. Gabrielle is then kidnapped by a Mexican cartel and is forced into prostitution. When Rambo finds out what has happened, he sets out to rescue Gabrielle and take revenge on the cartel responsible for her abduction.
The Tone
The tone of the movie is dark and gritty, with violence and brutality depicted in a realistic and unflinching manner. The movie’s violence is not gratuitous, however, as it serves to underscore the horrific nature of the cartel’s actions and the lengths to which Rambo will go to save his niece.
The Final Showdown
The final showdown in “Rambo: Last Blood” takes place at Rambo’s family ranch, where he has set up a series of traps and weapons to take on the cartel. Rambo dispatches several cartel members in gruesome fashion, culminating in a brutal hand-to-hand fight with the cartel’s leader, Hugo Martinez. Rambo eventually kills Martinez by ripping out his collarbone, and the scene ends with Rambo walking away from the ranch, wounded and bloodied but victorious.
The Problems with the Ending
Despite the movie’s intense tone and violent imagery, many fans and critics found the ending of “Rambo: Last Blood” to be unsatisfying and even inappropriate. There are several reasons why the ending didn’t work, which we will explore in detail below.
The Lack of Emotional Payoff
One of the main problems with the ending is the lack of emotional payoff. Throughout the movie, we see Rambo struggling with his guilt over not being able to save his fellow soldiers during the Vietnam War and his desire to protect Gabrielle. However, in the final scene, we don’t see any emotional resolution to these conflicts. Instead, we simply see Rambo walking away from the ranch, wounded and bloodied. There is no sense of closure or emotional release, leaving the audience feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled.
The Lack of Consequences
Another issue with the ending is the lack of consequences for Rambo’s actions. Throughout the movie, Rambo inflicts brutal violence on the cartel members, often using methods explicitly designed to be painful and gruesome. However, there is no sense that Rambo will face any consequences for his actions. He doesn’t get arrested or punished for the murders he has committed, and there is no fallout from his actions. This lack of consequences makes the ending feel hollow and unsatisfying.
The Inconsistency with Rambo’s Character
Finally, the ending of “Rambo: Last Blood” feels inconsistent with Rambo’s character as established in the previous movies. The previous movies portrayed Rambo as a complex and sympathetic character, struggling with the traumas of his past and attempting to find his place in the world. However, “Rambo: Last Blood” reduces him to a one-dimensional killing machine, lacking any complexity. This inconsistency with his character makes the ending feel like a cheap attempt to cater to fans of the series who are looking for mindless violence and action.
Alternative Endings
So, if the ending of “Rambo: Last Blood” didn’t work, what could have been done differently? There are several possible alternative endings that could have provided a more satisfying conclusion to the movie.
Rambo’s Sacrifice
One possible ending would be for Rambo to sacrifice himself to save Gabrielle. Throughout the movie, we see Rambo struggling with his past and his desire to protect Gabrielle. This sacrifice would provide emotional closure for Rambo’s character arc while also providing a sense of consequence for his actions.
The Cost of Violence
Another possible ending would be to show the cost of Rambo’s violence. Rambo could face arrest and punishment for his actions instead of simply walking away from the ranch. This would provide a sense of consequence for his violent actions and show the audience that violence has real-world consequences.
Redemption and Forgiveness
A third possible ending would be to explore themes of redemption and forgiveness. Throughout the movie, we see Rambo struggling with his guilt and desire for redemption. The ending could explore forgiveness for Rambo’s violent actions and how his love for Gabrielle brings him a sense of redemption.
Sum It Up!
In conclusion, the ending of “Rambo: Last Blood” didn’t work for several reasons. The lack of emotional payoff, the lack of consequences for Rambo’s actions, and the inconsistency with Rambo’s character all contributed to an ending that felt unsatisfying and out of place with the rest of the movie. However, there are several possible alternative endings that could have provided a more satisfying conclusion, such as Rambo’s sacrifice, showing the cost of violence, or exploring themes of redemption and forgiveness. Ultimately, the ending of “Rambo: Last Blood” serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of crafting a satisfying and consistent narrative, even in a movie focused on action and violence.
