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/
Because it's pumped full with Pro-American Propaganda, US-Feelgood nationalism and the american hero kicking not only vietcong's ass as revenge for the US failing in real life but also killing some russians next to it.
The movie is the wet dream of the Reggean era and 90% of the Americans who think only their country matters, their country is the best and they're the best in everything.
First Blood was too critical of the US to be a big success at a time when Vietnam was still a trauma to those patriots. Simple as that.
Same Reason why Rocky IV became the most successful movie of the franchise. Despite it being completely trash and far removed from what Rocky originally was, americans probably went *beep* over all the laughable Pro-US and Anti-Russia Propaganda in that piece of filth.
because it's a mainstream action movie, while the first one was a drama
same happened with Alien and Terminator, the first ones were sci fi films
I think R2 is more iconic because in the first one, Rambo could only blow up equipment, buildings, antennae masts, etc. This is cuz he was fighting fellow Americans cops and soldiers, corrupt and knuckleheaded as they were, they could only get shot in the leg, punched, and judo flipped.
By part 2, the enemy was the USSR and COmmunism, and this time in was fair game for bad guy soldiers to get blown up, shot with explosive arrows, and shot doznes of times, hurled out of copters, and hit with RPGs! American audiences could cheer as NVA and commie troops met with violent and unethical ends, since theyre "different". COulndt do that in R1.
And you know what all three of those sequels have in common?
http://www.joblo.com/images_arrownews/jcameron.gif
I think it was less of a personal human story about a guy and more a blow em up blood and guts thing. And it was so over the top goofy, but also entertaining. I love it.
++++++
Love means never having to say you're ugly. - The Abominable Dr. Phibes
Probably because it's more fun in the traditional sense.
sharefirst blood was a much better movie, so I guess quality didn't play into it.
Probably the amount of violence in Rambo and the faster pace got it more attention. I remember it being a little controversial at the time.
Because obviously it is far better made film as a whole. Imdb, movie sites and ratings and critics are not indicators of how more regular people relate to this film than the first film, which admittedly was not such a good film in the sense of "pure cinema" in the first place. One film is uplifting, the other one is a downer, average human beings like to be uplifted by life, by art, by aything, thats why the most popular films are always in some way full of uplifting emotions.
shareI always thought it was because in the first movie it was questionable about whether Rambo was the good guy or not. The second movie established him as the unquestionable hero of the franchise.
shareAs an earlier poster said, the first one became a hit in the US on home video and cable. This led to great anticipation for the 2nd movie.
shareFirst Blood is one of the greatest movies and greatest stories ever told. The rest of the Rambo movies are garbage made for typical humanoid scum.
The only good part about First Blood 2 is the very beginning when Richard Creena visits Rambo in prison the same way the only good part of Karate Kid 2 is the very beginning with the parking lot fight between Miyagi and Kreese.