Is it because it was better publicised, marketed etc. Or is it because it played as a Vietnam war revenge film? It's certainly more action packed. Any thoughts?
I wrote a review for the film with a few points in it. NO spoilers, if you want to check it out.
http://garethrhodes.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/rambo-first-blood-part-ii -1985-film-review-by-gareth-rhodes/
There is a thread about this subject already, but... I think b/c Rambo took off a little later in the states. First Blood aka Rambo I did much better in the foreign and when it hit cable in the states it became a hit here too. It became clear that Rambo would be a successful franchise for Sly just like Rocky. Both Rocky 2 and 3 were bigger than 1 and with Rocky 4 coming and now Rambo 2 it was reasonable to assume that it was gonna be big. He scored a lot of merchandising deals for that movie based on that. Even tobacco companies wanted in on his movies. 1985 pretty much was the year for Slyvester Stallone.
The subject matter took a tragic character to triumph. Yes, the redemption of POWs and Rambo was big b/c the POW issue was popular in the 80s. Take Missing In Action, Bat 21 and Uncommon Valor, not to mention Bo Gritz's real life missions getting a lot of publicity. Rambo 2 was a recipe for success on all fronts.
It's what people know about themselves inside that makes 'em afraid. - The Stranger
Same way as Terminator 2 is more iconic. It was bigger, badder, and more exciting. In many ways Rambo: First Blood Part II is the original Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
shareIron_Leopard, yes, I get that. It's weird though isn't it? T2 was arguably a more enjoyable film that the first Terminator, although I appreciate that's a pretty divisive opinion. What isn't divisive, however, is saying that First Blood is a far better film that First Blood Part II, yet the latter gets all the recognition. I guess it's not always the case that attaining iconic status is synonymous with quality.
shareThis can also be said with Aliens, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, The Road Warrior (Mad Max 2), and The Dark Knight.
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ActionizedSequel
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SequelDisplacement
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SurprisinglyImprovedSequel
I never thought First Blood II was seen as more iconic.
shareRambo 2 is more iconic because of the long hair, red bandana, shirtless Rambo became his trademark.
Terminator 2, T-800 wearing dark shades,leatherclad outfit and riding a harley motorcycle became his trademark.
Also in Friday the 13th Part 3, Jason using a hockey mask became his trademark.
I agree, once a character gets a more flamboyant look it becomes the icon. Such as a more muscular and anatomically correct Batman as drawn by Neal Adams during his "new look" era in the 60s was used in advertising for decades (and still is a lot) as opposed to the awkward looking Batman from Bob Kane. Curtis Swan's Superman, which was more colorful and larger than life than Seigel and Shuster's original designs also became his trademark look.
Tell me something... are you fellas really with the Internal Revenue Service? - The Omega Man
On that point,T2 featured the transformation of Sarah Connor from skittish college woman to warrior.
I eat things that would make a billy goat puke.
Why has Part II become more iconic than First Blood?
In addition to the reasons already listed, I think the title had a lot to do with it as well.
The name RAMBO was advertised everywhere. People saw this character, who was pretty unique at the time, being played by Rocky himself at the height of his career, and instantly had this unique name to associate with him. So he became an icon.
The average person who never saw First Blood didn't know what the main character's name in that film was, but any and everyone knew who he was after this movie came out whether they watched it or not.
There was no 'become' Part II has ALWAYS been more iconic from out that gate.
The reason is simple... Most casual fans didn't get introduced to the series until Part II.... They never saw First Blood in theatres, and home video was just getting under way.
Most people saw First Blood AFTER Part II. Part II was around the peak of Stallone's fame... First Blood was not. He was 'known', but he wasn't considered the action blockbuster star of a generation.... Part II created that.
I prefer Rambo II over the first in many ways. More guns and fighting, and against an enemy we can all hate! Consider too the time it was released: 1985 President Reagan had won another landslide election, the country was feeling good about herself, we had the Soviets scared and our military was being restored and rebuilt. Pride had returned to our servicemen\women. This movie captured some of that mood...Oh, and having Julia Nickson was a plus!
shareTo the OP. I was thinking the same thing when I was watching this film. While it was an okay film it was no where near what the first film was. First Blood was intense, thought provoking and even a bit heart wrenching, all packaged together in a wonderful character study. While part two was a basic, run of the mill (albeit rather entertaining) action flick that the 80's was (in)famous for.
shareFirst Blood is a MUCH better film but it's not surprising that Rambo was the bigger hit.
First Blood was written in the early 70s and stuck in development hell until 1982. It was more reflective of a society which had just dealt with the hellish experience of Vietnam. The movie didn't give easy answers. You have this guy who's ultra-screwed up due to PTSD and everyone in society shuns him because they don't know how to deal with Vets. Finally he suffers some police brutality and goes nuts. It was an action movie that thinking people and liberals could enjoy because it awknowladged the hells of war and focused on the vets left out in the cold. They also avoided having Rambo kill a ton of people so the movie (while exciting) didn't glorify war or death. I think it would have been a bigger hit if it had been released in the late 70s (when people still remembered how bad Vietnam was and were starting to realize that war Vets were victims as well).
Instead it was released in the early 80s after Regan came to power and a more right-wing/macho mentality was sweeping over the country. 80s audiences were too far removed from the political aspects of the movie and just wanted to feel good about America and it's ability to kick-ass. That's why Rambo FBII was the perfect 80s action film. This one gives us a Rambo who's not nearly as crazy or damaged as before and, aside from Murdock, the bad guys are all the enemy. Now he gets to patriotically go back to Vietnam and "win this time." It's a crowd pleaser that doesn't make us deal with the darker issues of the first film and gives us a lot of big action.
Also, for the record, I DON'T think the comparison to the Terminator films is apt. Yes, T2 is a much bigger/better-made sequel to T1 but they both have the same themes. It expands upon it's predecessor but it never under-cuts it. Most Terminator fans love both films (and hate all the non-Cameron ones) because they feel connected. Rambo FBII sends a very different message than First Blood which is why, from what I've seen, most fans are either strongly in favor of one or the other.
Some excellent points and I'll agree with almost all of them.
I think another one to add is that the Vietnam war is a massive part of the character's backstory in all his films, yet this is the only one of the series actually set on Vietnamese soil.
The idea that "America didn't lose the war, its leaders did" was also a theme happily swallowed up by the filmgoing public.
A pretty girl's guide to London: http://youtu.be/RLFUi4EWatQ
Amazing thread and amazing responses. Thanks guys.
Signature: To any BluRay/DVD distribution company: please release No Retreat No Surrender sequels on BluRay!
I can't believe what Im reading - this movie was so far and away better in every sense then Rambo I. Rambo II is simply the greatest action movie ever made by the greatest action hero of all time. Just like the rocky series, it got better with the sequels (III and IV)
Rambo I was horribly boring throughout and the worst in the series.
Only because you're dumb and you crave OTT action scenes like a kid wants candy. First Blood is the masterpiece, you fool!
To answer OP's question, this is where the Rambo we all remember started, for better or for worse.
My eyes bleed from reading this...
shareYou may have shitty tastes for movies...
Rocky 4 better than Rocky 1?? Really?? Lol, not anywhere near.
And I can accept that you prefer Rambo 2 to the first entry, but it sounds totally arrogant to claim that it's actually a better film. Rambo First Blood was the perfect psychological one-man army thriller, while First Blood Part 2 was pop corn fun, nothing more.