While it is an adequate war-related action film, the second Rambo picture is nowhere near as effective as the original; despite their efforts, Sylvester Stallone and Richard Crenna are unable to re-create the power of their first Rambo outing. The anti-American political sentiment remains strong in this film, casting an extremely critical pall over the Vietnam War and the treatment of veterans upon their return to America. While this sentiment is the very viable backbone of the Rambo series, the sequel's action mechanism gives such sentiment little to support. George Cosmatos is unable to provide a very tangible sense of danger with his cut-corner direction, and the awkward musical soundtrack almost reduces the film to a 90-minute version of an A-Team episode, making it almost impossible to take the picture seriously. However, at times the tone is right on the money, giving satisfactory balance to the political and entertainment agendas. Had this balance remained uniform throughout, Rambo: First Blood Part II would have easily retained the power of its predecessor.