Stallone back in action in above-average 'Rambo'

"Rambo" (two-disc collector's edition) -- When I first heard that Sylvester Stallone would play John Rambo a fourth time, I wondered which version we'd see: the tortured, alienated Vietnam vet from 1982's "First Blood" or the cartoonish killing machine from the two sequels? It turns out that the main character in the latest film, simply called "Rambo," is a bit of both.

The film introduces us to an aging Rambo living a solitary life in the jungles of Thailand, earning money by catching snakes. It's a shock to see him again after nearly 20 years. The long hair, headband and muscles (courtesy of human growth hormone) are all there, but his craggy features and slow, lumbering movements reminded me of the Marvel Comics character the Thing. Anyway, Rambo seems to be at peace, until a group of do-gooder missionaries asks him to take them into Burma (also known as Myanmar) in his boat. He initially refuses, noting that the country is embroiled in a horrific civil war. Then Sarah, the attractive blonde in the missionary group, activates his warrior's spirit, and he agrees to take them.

If you've seen any of the previous Rambo flicks, you know what happens next. The missionaries are captured by vicious government soldiers, and it's up to Rambo to kick butt and set things right.

I liked "Rambo." It's not a smart movie, or an insightful one. The ongoing struggles in Burma are crudely glossed over, and the acting and dialogue are B-level, at best. Somehow, though, the movie works. Stallone, who wrote and directed the film, knows how to stage a kinetic action sequence, and "Rambo" has one that will leave you breathless. I also liked the feeling of sadness that Stallone captures, both in the somber shots of the Burmese jungle and in his character's haunted eyes.

The violence, which is brutal and graphic, threatens to send the movie into camp territory, but never quite does. "Rambo" isn't as good as "First Blood," but I think it's a cut above the other two chapters.

The DVD comes with a nice set of bonus features, including a commentary from Stallone, deleted scenes and a quickie featurette about the war in Burma. The second disc of the two-disc set houses a digital copy of the movie that you can download to your computer or iPod. (R; Lionsgate, $34.98)

"Strange Wilderness" -- I was rooting for "Strange Wilderness," as it stars Steve Zahn, one of my favorite under-the-radar actors. But this comedy lacks both laughs and heart. Zahn plays the host of a wildlife TV show that is in serious ratings trouble. He concocts a plan to boost ratings by searching for the fabled Bigfoot creature. The cast includes solid comedic actors such as Judd Apatow favorite Jonah Hill, but the writing never rises above the grade-school playground. The DVD, comes with deleted scenes and some making-of featurettes. (R; Paramount, $29.99)