All 5 Rambo movies are now streaming for free on Tubi — but the haunting first installment is the only one worth watching

For years, I thought I had a decent grasp of the Rambo series, thanks to the parody from Weird Al Yankovic's "UHF." I never bothered to watch the movies themselves, as they seemed too cartoonish, even for my low adolescent standards. However, when I finally watched "First Blood" as an adult, it completely shattered my preconceived notions about what a Rambo movie could be.

Released in 1982, "First Blood" is a down-to-earth, character-driven drama, much like the films of the 1970s featuring actors like Gene Hackman and Al Pacino. While it contains action, it's nowhere near as over-the-top as the sequels that followed. The true gem is "First Blood," a stark, well-crafted, and often moving film about a traumatized Vietnam War veteran.

Despite Stallone's John Rambo beginning as an unassuming drifter, the movie delves deep into his struggles, making it a tragic, complex character study. Rambo's quiet town, Hope, seems like a place where a strong, silent man could find honest work, but the reality is that Vietnam veterans were often shunned and mistreated. When Rambo disobeys orders and returns to Hope, he's arrested and subjected to humiliating treatment, which triggers his PTSD and sets off the violence in the film.

While the later films are filled with crude action, "First Blood" remains a valuable portrayal of the difficulties veterans face when returning to civilian life. This makes it an essential watch, even if the sequels aren't worth the time. Now, you can stream "First Blood" for free on Tubi.