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It may be 20 years since he last kicked butt, but Rambo – Sylvester Stallone’s one-man killing machine – still has plenty of fans in Japan. Fifty of them turned up to greet him when he arrived at 3:30am aboard a private plane at Haneda airport earlier this month. What’s more, the 61-year-old star signed autographs for all of them.
Stallone was in a combative mood as he discussed his 4th outing, and 1st since 1989, as the Vietnam vet. His target was the Myanmar junta, which he said is treating its people brutally. “This is apparent in the indifference of the government to the people’s suffering since the recent cyclone,” he said during a photo call at the Peninsula hotel in Tokyo.
At least, Rambo gets to do something about the situation in Myanmar. In the latest film, directed by Stallone and produced by 11 others, John Rambo lives a secluded life as a snake wrangler in Thailand. A group of clueless missionaries head to Myanmar to deliver medical supplies but get caught up in the brutal civil war. It’s up to Rambo to save the day. Along the way, there are beheadings, vivisections, flesh-eating pigs, explosions, one guy getting his throat ripped out and Rambo wreaking havoc with assorted weapons and his trusty bow and arrows.
“The reason I wanted to another 'Rambo' is because I wasn’t happy with the last one, much like with 'Rocky,'” Stallone said. “This one is more realistic and political. Not many people know about the Burma-Karen civil war. It’s the longest-running civil war on the planet and has been going on for 60 years. It’s a strong film and I want to open people’s eyes. It’s especially important for Americans to understand that there is a lot of suffering going on beyond their borders. I think there will be great social change in Burma and we’ll be proud if our movie can be a part of that.”
Understandably, the junta refused all cooperation and even threatened its citizens living in Thailand not to appear in the film. “They were all told their families would be put in jail if they participated, but some did, anyway,” said Stallone. “Two musicians played pirates and they were really nice people. It was really hard for me to shoot guitar players.”
Stallone added he may not be through with Rambo. “There are vets who return home and they feel it is their destiny in life to help people who can’t help themselves. They are natural warriors with a sense of humanity. Rambo is one of those. There is a place in Mexico where over 500 women have disappeared. Maybe Rambo could go down and get involved in that. If the theme of a movie is about making the world better, then the film is worth making. But if I do a 5th one, it won’t be a war movie. Rambo’s war now is in his own heart.”
However, time is taking its toll on Stallone. He described filming "Rambo" in Thailand as quite grueling. “It was 30 days of mud, snakes and worms. I was running and running and thought, ‘I’m getting old.’ Finally, a bamboo tree did what the Vietnamese, Russians or Myanmar forces couldn’t do in all the films – knock Rambo out. “I ran right into a tree and was out cold,” he said.
During his brief visit to Japan, Stallone presented his bow for auction to raise funds for charity, had his palm print placed with other celebrities at Hibiya Chanter and also took a fancy to a massive poster for the movie, showing him blasting away with a huge machinegun. “I wanna take this poster home and show it to any guy thinking of dating my daughter,” he said.
© Japan Today
25 Comments
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dany505
sly stalone at it again... 60 and still a BAMF
nath
“This is apparent in the indifference of the government to the people’s suffering since the recent cyclone,” - Did he really say that, or is it a quote from the translator? It just doesn't sound like him, but it does sound a lot like Japanese news copy.
<strong>Moderator: According to the writer, that's what he said.</strong>
xpompey8
Wow...61 years old. I say great for him! Rambo forever!!
conqueror_of_Uranus
More impressive than "Terminator 3" at 60. -Less computer generated imagery, more diving from explosions.
motown
He's right about Burma, so sad that these wonderful people are under the podgy thumbs of some real-life as*@#les. It's just a shame that it doesn't have vast oil reserves or else it would have been 'liberated' by Dubya ages ago.
thebottomline
Stallone, the true action hero. Stallone, the man who has etched influence in all real men. Stallone, an icon that deserves a statue not only in Philly, but every other city worthy. Stallone......man I can go on forever!
Triumvere
Timely.
Hughgarse
should send Rambo back in now and deal with these idiotic Junta baffoons that would rather hold a referrendum than stave off a disaster..
stanoue
Did anyone listen to his speech? It was so funny, one of the lines was like "Thanks to RAMBO and the cyclone, people are more aware of Burma's issues"...wtf, Rambo rates up there with natural disaster??
Stallion
He's right about Burma, so sad that these wonderful people are under the podgy thumbs of some real-life as*@#les. It's just a shame that it doesn't have vast oil reserves or else it would have been 'liberated' by Dubya ages ago
williamsmith
I hate all Stallone movies. So stupid. I also hate that he is so stupid that he doesn't realize people might actually get information about the world in other ways than watching formulaic and mindless movies like his. I really don't think the people who have gone into any Rambo movie unaware of Burma will come out enlightened. What a load of....
KaptainKichigai
Wow William, obviously you havent seen Over the Top. Packed with information about Semi's and arm wrestling. I carries a wooden match in my mouth for a year after watching Cobra.
Stallion
he's an entertainer, slow down
VoXman
Williamsmith......all joking aside,,, the first Rambo movie did more to bring to light the issues of returning vets and their treatment than virtually any vietnam related film to date. It highlight the Post tramatic stress syndrom and discrimination heeped on them after the war. I think all you guys should go back and watch First Blood. Pay attention to the way the Sheriff treats Rambo in the first 10-15 minutes. Then you'll understand what the hundreds of thousands of Vietnam veterans feel.
Tuffnuts23
or you could take a flaming arrow in the chest...that would also help you understand what the Vietman vets feel.
Triumvere
He wrote Rocky, you know. Give him some credit.
KaptainKichigai
He also starred in A Party at Kitty and Studs. Dont forget that. I love Stallone, so all of you need to STOP!!!!!!!!!!.....or my Mom will shoot
KaptainKichigai
p.s. if you liked First Blood the movie, you should read the book. It is great.
Stallion
He also starred in A Party at Kitty and Studs. Dont forget that. I love Stallone, so all of you need to STOP!!!!!!!!!!.....or my Mom will shoot
zaichik
And the ones that do are probably not the target market for this film. I'd be very happy if this film made a difference, raising awareness and helping to increase pressure on the junta. Unfortunately, the junta has been impervious to pressure and boycotts so far, so I'm not holding my breath....
jeancolmar
Stallone is nauseating, as is his character Rambo.
Rambo is the product of sour grapes: the American defeat in Vietnam. The Stallone argument is that the Americans did not kill enough people in Vietnam, which Rambo attempts to do alone. And that is the Stallone solution to everything. Kill enough people, preferably Asians, and preferably in the goriest way possible, and order is restored. That simple.
Of course in real life the US killed and maimed more people in Vietnam with a single carpet bombing than the fictional Rambo has in all of his movies.
But Rambo does remain an inspiration for terrorists like the Oklahoma City bombers, the "Right to Life" religious scummies who bomb abortion clinics and psychopaths who shoot their fellow students at school. Those are the Rambos of real life. The joke is that anyone can be a Rambo.
If there is one thing the democratic opposition of Myanmar does not need it is Rambo.
unscrejects
Oh god... his mujahaddin became Taliban. I can't wait to see his Karin fighters are going to turn the country into a narco kingdom when they take over, and surprise surprise if they tell the US to take a hike.
Loki520
Jean, you couldn't be further from the truth. The "Stallone argument" is that the soliders weren't allowed to soldier. But more important, the arguement is that those returning vets were treated like crap, never given their due, and for a large group of them - left and forgotten.
Now the Coyote... HIS arugement is to kill has many as possible, preferably roadrunners. Kill enough, and ACME gets rich, and order would be restored.
Sarge
unscrejects: "I can't wait to see his Karin fighters ... turn the country into a narco kingdom when they take over, and surprise surprise if they tell the US to take a hike"
Dream on. Gosh, all Stallone is trying to do is make people more aware of the awful regime in Burma ( and make a buck - OK, a few bucks ) and all you can do is diss him.