Rambo III (1988)

After a lackluster sequel, the third manages to tell a much more compelling story with credible characters that don't smack of a Jr. High stage production. Rambo has been chilling with some Buddhist monks in Thailand, doing a little stick fighting on the side, when Col. Trautman sucks him back into another war.

Once again, the Russians are the bad guys while Rambo fights with the people of Afghanistan. Despite more high-tech battle scenes, they still managed to keep the carnage creative. My personal favorite: The guy Rambo hung by the neck into a cave and then exploded into bits with a grenade.

Thankfully, there was no token "love interests" to get in the way this time... come to think of it, I don't recall any women in this film with lines at all. After that dreadful Thai actress in the second film, it's just as well. Almost as good as the first.

Rating: C+