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This review will not focus on critiques of the Rambo films, but rather on the details of the various digital home video releases. Since there have been three Rambo complete collection DVD sets and a blu-ray set so far, the contents of the various releases can be a quandary for fans. In 2002, Artisan originally released all 3 movies in a Rambo Trilogy Special Edition DVD Collection. This was an incredible set put together as nothing short of a labor of love. Not only were the movies digitally re-mastered, but the set came with an abundance of special features including commentaries, documentaries, and trailers, most of which were included in a bonus 4th disc. In 2004, Artisan released the Rambo Trilogy Ultimate Edition DVD Set after the Special Edition DVD set went out of print. The Ultimate set was primarily a waste of money for many fans, as most of the Special Edition DVD features did not carry over. Instead, the 'Special Operations' interactive features were offered up as a poor substitute. The only notable inclusion to this set was found on the 'First Blood' DVD, which featured the alternate ending and a commentary track by Stallone. This was later released in 2008 as the Rambo Trilogy Blu-Ray Box set featuring the same bonus content as the Ultimate Edition DVD set but with improved picture and sound. Also in 2008, Lionsgate released the Rambo: The Complete Collector's DVD Set featuring all 4 movies. This set carried over most of the bonus features from both of the previous DVD collections, although the advertised 'First Blood' commentary with author David Morrell from the Special Edition was erroneously missing. The individual movies were identical to the Ultimate Edition set but the bonus disc from the Special Edition set was also included, along with a few featurettes found only on the individual Special Edition movies. In 2010, Lionsgate released the Rambo: The Complete Collector's Blu-Ray Set, which reinstated the David Morrell 'First Blood' commentary but had many of the featurettes found on the DVD set's bonus disc inexplicably omitted. Below are the specs for the 2008 Complete Rambo Collection DVD set, which is the most comprehensive release to date in terms of bonus features. Any differences with the 2010 blu-ray collection has been noted in parenthesis:
First Blood
Audio commentary with Sylvester Stallone
Audio commentary with David Morrell (blu-ray and Ultimate Edition DVD set only)
Deleted scenes including the alternate ending
Interactive Military Special Operations FeaturesSurvival Mode, Early Warning System, MetaBrief, MetaScope, MetaSight, MetaPoint, MetaMap
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Audio commentary with director George P. Cosmatos
Interactive Military Special Operations FeaturesSurvival Mode, Early Warning System, MetaBrief, MetaScope, MetaSight, MetaPoint, MetaMap
Rambo III
Audio commentary with director Peter MacDonald
Deleted Scenes (not on blu-ray)
Interactive Military Special Operations FeaturesSurvival Mode, Early Warning System, MetaBrief, MetaScope, MetaSight, MetaPoint, MetaMap
Rambo
Audio commentary by Sylvester Stallone
"Legacy of Despair: The Struggle in Burma" featurette
"It's a Long Road: Resurrection of an Icon" featurette
"A Score to Settle: The Music of Rambo" featurette
"The Art of War: Completing Rambo" featurette
"The Weaponry of Rambo" featurette
"A Hero's Welcome: Release & Reaction" featurette
Deleted Scenes
Bonus Disc
"The Real Nam: Voices from Within" featurette (not on blu-ray)
"Guts and Glory" featurette (not on blu-ray)
"The Forging of Heroes: America's Green Berets" featurette (not on blu-ray)
"Rambo-nomics" featurette (not on blu-ray)
"Selling a Hero" featurette (not on blu-ray)
"Suiting Up" featurette (not on blu-ray)
"An American Hero's Journey: The Rambo Trilogy" featurette (not on blu-ray)
"Drawing First Blood" featurette
"We Get to Win This Time" featurette
"Afghanistan: Land in Crisis" featurette
Theatrical Trailers for all 4 Films
To recap, those who have the 2002 Special Edition DVD set are probably better off buying the individual release of the last Rambo film. Those who own the 2004 Ultimate Edition DVD set might consider upgrading if the features on the 2008 bonus disc sound appealing. The 2008 Complete Collector's DVD set is probably best suited for those who don't own either of the previous DVD collections. And for those wanting the best video and audio experience, the 2010 blu-ray collection is clearly the best choice, even though some of the bonus features from the 2008 DVD release were omitted. Whatever set one decides to purchase, the constant re-release of the Rambo movies, although frustrating to many, can also be seen as a testament to the enduring legacy of a pop cultural icon that refuses to die.
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I love the Rambo movies but I have to address something about this new so called "Complete" set coming out on July 27. This new Rambo The Complete Collector's Set on Blu-ray Disc appears to just be the 4 movies that are out now on blu-ray put into one package. You can actually go ahead and buy the four movies on blu-ray and get everything that is included in this set only in single cases instead of waiting for this green box or 4 disc case or whatever it is exactly. I really doubt it will be a metal tin case like the Complete Collector's Set that came out on DVD a few years back.Also to be labeled as "Complete" there are a few very obvious things missing.
First off, the biggest and most obvious omission is the new Rambo Extended Cut that is being released on Blu-ray on its own the exact same day as this set. That's right, a whole new version of the fourth movie with 90 minutes of new extra features and it's being left out. Why it was not included in this "Complete" set makes absolutely no sense to me at all.
The second big omission is a bonus disc including all of the extra features and documentaries that were available on a bonus disc first in the Special Edition Trilogy set and then the DVD version of the Complete Collector's Set a couple of years ago. There are nearly 2 hours of documentaries and featurettes about the original 3 movies that are not on the blu-ray discs out now. Wouldn't this have been a perfect opportunity to press a new bonus blu-ray disc with all these features and include it with this set?
The third thing missing from this set and, although not nearly as important as the first two, should still have been included is the deleted scenes from Rambo III. For some reason Lionsgate left them off of the Rambo III blu-ray. Since the July 27 Complete Collector's set appears to just have the same blu-ray of Rambo III out now don't look for it to have those deleted scenes.
Now back to that bonus disc I was talking about above; That's why a new bonus disc needs to be made so it can include them. The one made for the DVD set a few years back won't work as those scenes are not on it either so you can't just throw it in with this set. Not to mention the Teaser Trailers for the original 3 movies from the Special Editions and two featurettes "First Blood: A Look Back" and "Rambo III: Full Circle" found on the Special Edition Trilogy bonus disc but not on the DVD version of the Complete Collector's Set bonus disc. They may just be a montage of clips from the movies set to music but since Lionsgate owns them how hard would it be to include them as well?
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The Rambo series will forever be classics in film. Simply put, this boxed set is not only a must have for the Rambo fan, rather anyone who enjoys great flicks! This set includes all 4 installments in the Rambo series and packs quite the punch on each disk.The Good: Includes First Blood, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rambo III, and Rambo. All updated in HD and looking amazing. Sound is awesome in surround sound and seems cleaned up over the dvd boxed set. Plenty of bonus features to dive into as well. Awesome packaging keeps the case thin and compact unlike some other sets that feel the need to take up "book-sized" space on your shelf.
The Bad: Only thing I don't like is that the version of Rambo(2008) included is simply disc one of the collectors edition. If like me, you like your bonus features you may want to grab the Rambo Trilogy [Blu Ray] instead and opt for the 2 disc version of Rambo.
Other than that, this has been one of my favorite acquisitions of late and I more than recommend it to anyone!!
Honest reviews on Rambo: The Complete Collector's Set (2010)
Just bought this collection! It's awesome. Very clean looking design.This collection is for any Rambo fan!
The new movie "Rambo" is awesome. Like other reviewers mention, it is very realistic. The movie takes place in Burma, where events depicted in the movie are happening daily.
The collection includes Rambo 1,2, 3 and 4. Plus a digital copy of the new Rambo and a special features disc.
This is the ultimate Rambo collection for your DVD library!
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