The June 22, 2007 issue of Entertainment Weekly lists their choices for the Top 25 Action Movies of All Time and they follow up on their on-line site with the top 50. Rambo, First Blood Part II came in at 35 and here’s what they had to say:35. RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II
Directed by George P. Cosmatos (1985)
Here’s where Rambo gets elevated from wounded Vietnam veteran trying to find a place in the world to entire-village-slaying, POW-rescuing American myth. Written by James Cameron (at the same time he was writing Aliens — busy boy!), this sequel corners like it’s on rails, hugging the plot turns and accelerating straight through to the speechifying finish.
The same issue of Entertainment Weekly has an interview with Bruce Willis where Sly’s connection to “Die Hard” is discussed:EW: I’ve read that you were the studio’s fifth choice to play John McClane…
BW: Oh, I think I was the 50th choice! They went to everybody.
EW: I’ve heard Richard Gere…
BW: I heard that.
EW: Arnold Schwarzenegger…
BW: Clint Eastwood…
EW: Stallone and Burt Reynolds…
BW: [Laughs] Burt Reynolds? All of those guys probably would’ve been great John McClanes.
– Craig