Rambo: First Blood Part II - (Episode 1) - From Prison Rocks to Helicopter Drops
In the season two premiere of the "It's a Long Road: The Rambo Series" podcast, host Ryan welcomes guest Jack from the "Drunk Bond" podcast to dissect Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), kicking off with lighthearted banter about podcasting compliments, the hosts' shared love for Sylvester Stallone's Rocky and Rambo franchises, and Jack's irreverent yet respectful breakdowns of action classics. They dive into the film's explosive opening, Rambo's prison labor release by Colonel Trautman for a covert Vietnam recon mission to photograph POWs, and early character introductions, while riffing on confusing franchise titles, Stallone's peak physique, box office inflation ($750–800 million in today's dollars), screenplay credits (Stallone, James Cameron, Kevin Jarre), and director George P. Cosmatos's hands-off approach amid Sly's 1980s superstardom—celebrating the sequel's over-the-top action shift from the original's dramatic depth as a fun, nostalgic 1980s beast.
--------
54:00
--------
54:00
First Blood - (Episode 12) - PTSD Monologue
Ryan teams up with guest co-hosts Tim and Tony from the Round 14 Podcast—dedicated enthusiasts of Sylvester Stallone's iconic Rocky saga—for a high-octane breakdown of the film's climactic church standoff, Rambo's raw emotional monologue, and the cathartic resolution between the tormented veteran and a sympathetic yet beleaguered Sheriff Teasle. Blending sharp analysis of Brian Dennehy's standout performance as Teasle, Richard Crenna's paternal gravitas as Colonel Trautman, and Stallone's understated vulnerability that elevates the anti-hero from feral survivor to tragic everyman, the trio delves into the film's anti-war themes, practical stunts like the harrowing helicopter crash, and Jerry Goldsmith's pulsating score that underscores Rambo's descent into PTSD-fueled rage. Peppered with Round 14's signature banter on Stallone's chiseled '80s physique, crossovers between Rambo's grit and Rocky's resilience, and lighthearted asides on Vietnam-era politics, the episode wraps the inaugural film with heartfelt reflections on its enduring legacy as a grounded action blueprint, teasing future dives into the bombastic sequels.
--------
57:34
--------
57:34
First Blood - (Episode 11) - Mine Escape to Town Destruction
Ryan welcomes Bob and Zip from the "No Redeeming Qualities" podcast to dissect a key action sequence from First Blood (1982), where John Rambo escapes a mine shaft, hijacks a National Guard truck, and unleashes chaos on a small town through daring stunts, explosions, and pursuits, all while the hosts intersperse humorous tangents on Stallone's physique, the book's darker violence, Italian heritage, and podcast crossovers.
--------
50:36
--------
50:36
Expend4bles (The Expendables 4) - CGI Catastrophe!
In another Sylvester Stallone Podcast Network crossover, hosts Ryan Rebalkin of Going The Distance, Craig Cohen of Slycast, and Doug Greenberg of Rocky Minute reluctantly dissect The Expendables 4 (aka Expend4bles, 2023), Scott Waugh's underwhelming R-rated swan song that squanders a $100M budget on PlayStation 2-level CGI boats, forgettable ship-bound climax, and charisma-vacuum newcomers like Megan Fox's abrasive Gina and 50 Cent's placeholder Easy Day. The trio mourns the franchise's faded glory—praising Jason Statham's elevated Lee Christmas lead, Tony Jaa's disciplined fighter, and fleeting OG chemistry with Stallone's four-day cameo and Dolph Lundgren's aged Gunner—while eviscerating phoned-in villains (Iko Uwais' Rahmat, Andy Garcia's Ocelot), choppy AI-like banter, zero stakes, and passionless filmmaking that prioritizes F-bombs over practical '80s-style explosions, deeming it a fine-but-forgettable misfire that killed the series despite meta nods and martial arts flair.
--------
1:20:01
--------
1:20:01
The Expendables 3 - Mel Gibson's Revenge!
In a rollicking Sylvester Stallone Podcast Network crossover, hosts Craig Cohen of Slycast, Doug Greenberg of Rocky Minute, and Ryan Rebalkin of Going The Distance team up to eviscerate and occasionally defend The Expendables 3 (2014), Patrick Hughes' PG-13 pivot that swaps brutal R-rated gore for broader appeal, introducing fresh blood like Wesley Snipes' Doc, Antonio Banderas' chatterbox Galgo, and Harrison Ford's gruff Church replacement while benching Bruce Willis amid salary disputes. The panel raves over Mel Gibson's magnetic Conrad Stonebanks as a betrayed co-founder turned arms-dealing menace, Snipes' tax-evasion quips and knife flair, and Banderas' scene-stealing energy, but lambasts the toned-down violence, convoluted Somalia skyscraper finale, forgettable young recruits (Ronda Rousey, Kellan Lutz), and Stallone's directorial absence, ultimately deeming it a flawed yet watchable franchise low with standout villainy and meta nods that still honors '80s excess despite corporate meddling.
About Sylvester Stallone and His Friends' Films Podcast
Welcome to the *Sylvester Stallone and Friends* podcast, your go-to show for fans of Sylvester Stallone’s action-packed legacy, hosted by Ryan and a variety of other passionate hosts! This podcast dives deep into Stallone’s standalone films and those of his action-hero contemporaries, with special episodes dedicated to Frank Stallone. Please note that *Rocky* and *Rambo* are covered exclusively on our sister podcasts, *One More Round: The Rocky Series Podcast* and *It’s a Long Road: The Rambo Series Podcast*. Join us for engaging discussions, behind-the-scenes insights, and a nostalgic celebration of the films that defined a genre. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the scene, subscribe to the *Sylvester Stallone and Friends* feed for action-packed episodes you won’t want to miss!
Ireland