Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

This one feature much more of what we associate with Rambo: fetishized muscles and military equipment, near-constant explosions and gunfire, and shirtless warfare.

Some elements of the first film remain, though, particularly Col. Trautman's function as Rambo's only real friend, fighting the war on the home front against beaurocracy and incompetence. The political message is consistent also, although it becomes more pronounced.

The tension between high tech equipment and Rambo's more visceral physical methods is introduced in this film, culminating in Rambo's cathartic destruction of a room full of computers. The implication seems to be that technology which is controlled by people away from actual combat is weak and useless, while technology in the hands of Rambo is powerful and an extension of his physical prowess (his beloved M-60 machine gun, helicopters, etc.). The beaurocratic villain, interestingly, is made to look extremely non-military in both costume and behaviour, contrasting with Rambo's over-the-top warrior look. This is analogous to the overweight and vulgar police chief in First Blood.

The brief introduction of a love interest (she is killed as soon as professing her love for Rambo) may or may not continue in the franchise, but a much greater emphasis is put on male relationships, particularly between Rambo and Trautman, but also between Rambo and the POWs he is tasked with rescuing.