Rating: NNNNN
In Rambo, Sly Stallone straps on the headband this week as disillusioned war vet John Rambo, one of those screen anti-heroes who just won’t go away. He’s got lots of company. Bruce Willis’s Die Hard alter ego proved recently he can blow things up real good for a guy pushing 60, and this spring Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones whips into action yet again. Here’s the lowdown on the return of the geezer.
Who: John Rambo
What: Rambo
First appearance: First Blood (1982)
Signature piece of clothing: Bandana
What he’s doing this time: Bummed out in Burma, he protects a group of Christian missionaries
If you were born after the original, you’ll like: Julie Benz (Angel), who’s babetastic and her name sounds like an expensive car
Actor’s non-franchise high points: F.I.S.T., Cop Land (underrated), Cliffhanger
Actor’s non-franchise low points: Where to begin? Daylight, Driven, Oscar (the movie, not the award)
Who: Indiana Jones
What: Indiana Jones And The Kingdon Of The Crystal Skull
First appearance: Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
Signature piece of clothing: Fedora… oh, and whips
What he’s doing this time: Battling Cold War Russian dominatrix Cate Blanchett
If you were born after the original, you’ll like: Shia LaBoeuf (Disturbia), who won’t need to shoplift again after this paycheque
Actor’s non-franchise high points: Witness, The Fugitive, Air Force One, a small indie series called Star Wars
Actor’s non-franchise low points: Sabrina, Hollywood Homicide, record-breaking divorce settlement from screenwriter wife Melissa Mathison
Who: John McClane
What: Live Free Or Die Hard
First appearance: Die Hard (1988)
Signature piece of clothing: Wife-beater, bare feet
What he’s doing this time: Battling Internet hackers who want to take down the country
If you were born after the original, you’ll like: Mac vs. PC spokesperson Justin Long, and a great Kevin Smith cameo
Actor’s non-franchise high points: Pulp Fiction, Sin City, The Sixth Sense, finally succumbing to baldness
Actor’s non-franchise low points: The Bonfire Of The Vanities, Hudson Hawk, anything where he wears a hairpiece
