Rambo: The Force of Freedom - Part 2 Vintage Toy Review

RetroBlasting investigates the original Rambo toy series from Coleco in 1986!
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#RetroBlasting #Rambo #ForceofFreedom

[@batangbatugan]

You guys are doing an outstanding job with these videos, you not only highlight the features and gimmicks, but also give special attention to the craftsmasnship and engineering the toymakers put into these toys. I always look forward to the next one!

[@codymcclainbrown7494]

***** I have to say I love how you combine nostalgia, plus critique and a bit of history into all of these videos. You should write a whole book about 1980s toys. Any chance for a Power Lords episode? I only ever owned one and forgot the name until I saw your playset video. Then, the weirdness, the odd colors and an aunt mistaking that one figure for a He-man toy one Christmas all came back to me. Thanks.

[@ShaunBrening]

This was a very underrated toy line in my opinion. I remember liking the cartoon, and didn't notice the difference in how Rambo was portrayed until the previous video broke it down. I'm surprised that a company like Mattel hasn't released a limited edition line like they have done for He-Man and Ghostbusters.

[@jordel2010]

I owned the Rambo figure as a child, and I must say that it was, hands down, the finest action figure i ever owned. Granted, it had a few drawbacks (the M60 machine gun was not as detailed, Rambo's face didn't quite looked like Sly, arms not as articulated as other figures), but the RPG launcher, the knife, the belts, the scars, the jade stone choker... It was awesome, back then was pretty rare to find that level of detail in an action figure.

[@BayushiGemma]

I love how in depth you go with these reviews and show how the toy companies work with their molds, here I never knew Rambo and Sectaurs were basically from the same mold. Keep up the top notch work!

[@blazr1976]

Another great 2 part video and I always love seeing Hills Department store price stickers on the boxes.

[@toy_room_of_insanity]

These were great toys. It's nice to see them all together! It's too bad the line could not have continued a bit more.

[@OldBoley]

Why have I not found your channel sooner!? The memories. The nostalgia. Imma gonna have to take some time off work so I can watch your back catalog of videos. Thank you for great videos. I only had Rambo out of this collection but he came with SO MANY WEAPONS. Every video I have watched so far has had me saying "OH MY GOD I REMEMBER THAT" or "I had that". Keep up the great work. Thanks Again.

[@retroblasting]

OldBoley Thanks so much for the kind words, OldB'! You're very welcome! Glad to meet you as well! Yeah, it's weird. We seem to be this hidden gem for a lot of people in the chaos of KZbin. I wish more people knew about us as we've been around for three years, but hey, things have a way of working themselves out eventually.

[@dougmasters4579]

The quality of these review videos is tremendous. Very professional and entertaining. Well done.

[@dedricthere]

I had He-Man, Rambo, Star Wars & GI Joe action figures. GI Joe was top dog as far as I'm concerned: best cartoons & best action figures.

[@SniffHeinkel]

You were lucky. I had a couple G.I. Joe's and Star Wars figures and a clunky Return of the Jedi B-Wing toy.

[@GarciaGungFuJKD]

Great as usual Retroblasting! As an 80's kid this brings back so many memories, I remember telling a friend recently about how insane some of the Rambo ideas were. (insane in an awesome way). My favorite figure was Col. Trautman for sure but my favorite vehicle was the savage strike cycle. Thing had two friggin Uzi's as handlebars for crying out loud. I loved that thing.

[@carrion_man3700]

I had Dr. Hyde, so pretty sure he was available in the states. And he was awesome. Smoked dome and a button you could depress to illuminate his disfigured face. He is still one of my favorite bad guys. Also, StarCom for the win. That toy line is grossly under appreciated.

[@planetschlock]

Okay, that playset is absolutely sick. When I started watching that video, I thought for sure that bamboo cage was a custom diorama piece made as a background prop for the video. The crates full of machine guns were a nice touch as well.

[@HCC788]

I am certain I had Rambo and Trautman and I think the black ninja. Scale was always a problem for me-- I wanted them to interact with my G. I. Joe action figures. But at least they had a good military look and loads of realistic looking guns.

[@RedUncle]

that was SO cool! outstanding-looking toys... even though they're clunky and impractical, the smooth motion of those extendable/motorized helmets and Uzi-shields is absolutely awesome!

[@haydentcem]

I remember learning about this line as the reason Rocky never got made as a GI Joe

[@DRAGOINTHEHOUSE]

Love the Rambo toys, some of the best from the 80s IMO. Hey retroblasting love your channel , by any chance could do a segment on either centurions or visionaries. Keep up the good work guys . long live 80s toys

[@retroblasting]

DRAGOIV 80 We will be doing both of those in the near future. I have the toys and the shows and they're on the schedule.

[@EPS5000]

I loved playing with those backpacks, I thought it was an awesome feature as a kid. Especially Rambo's, his backpack was my favorite.

[@1701Tex]

As Crom is my witness, I don't remember seeing any Rambo toys down here. Joes EVERYWHERE, but no Rambos. I must say I'm impressed with the more realistic proportions on the Kat figure, and can just imagine how much plastic would get used (for her chest in particular) if the toy line was "reimagined" today. Just sayn'.

[@PlasticGeek]

as a child I had the headquarters, chopper and a few of the figures. Didn't know they were Rambo toys at the time, to me they were just generic toys, but they were awesome.

[@DucktorZom]

**Please** do a feature on those Coleco StarCom toys!

[@jonnyg9865]

I had Rambo and Trautman as a kid. I made sure to get those two because I knew them from the movies (which I wasn't supposed to be watching). I'm surprised I didn't also pick up Warhawk and Havoc as they are clearly archetypes of Col. Podovsky and Sgt. Yushin from First Blood Part II. I remember wanting Turbo one Christmas though it didn't happen. At some point I eventually got that Dr. Hyde dude because he looked badass. That was it though--three figures were the extent of my Rambo collection. Never got as heavily into Force of Freedom as I did with G.I. Joe, but I regret that looking back now. Overall these were some neat toys, with a plethora of awesome accessories. I especially dig that S.A.V.A.G.E. playset... man!

[@jaypolo24]

You guys bring back my childhood.....more please

[@Playitstraight44]

Excellent review. Thank you for doing this. I was actually too old for this line when it came out but now that I have a grandson I am kind of living through his eyes so I can revisit things like this that I really couldn't when they were new. It's been fun collecting these but i find that Ebay sellers try to spike the price on the vehicles which is too much given they are not composed of much. Still a fun line and I am happy to have a resource like your video to get a solid overview. Great job.

[@45ounce]

Ah! Memories of my christmas 1986.

[@Sklabah]

The only Rambo figure I bought new was Nomad, because I'd read that an Arab-American group had lobbied Coleco to stop making it, citing it was an offensive stereotype. They claimed victory when Coleco agreed to make no more, but I think the line was on the way to being cancelled anyway. Still have that guy somewhere, mint in a shipping box.

[@MoteofLobross]

Never had Rambo figures when I was a kid, but I had friends that did. And even then I saw the paralells to Sectaurs in how they were constructed.

[@cerethpainting6606]

Love this video, love the channel. I do miss this intro, but i understand growth, change and keeping things fresh! I was brought back to this by the new Hiya toys Rambo line. Great blast from the past!!

[@antiquariancrafts2454]

Great video. A friend of mine had the playset and I couldn't believe how big it was.

[@mikesmith2718]

I revisit this video from time to time and it's still entertaining in 2020 even tho I have the toys except a few rare ones but this was a really great 2 parter

[@raptorbandito]

Great video. Very comprehensive. I knew next to nothing about this line of figures, so it was definitely interesting to watch.

[@paulhernandez9425]

Wen i was a kid, here in mexico this toys were very expensive. Even thogh i could buy a Rambo figure. It made mi childhood awesome...great second part...

[@Qsaws_]

i'm always impressed by the fact that you seem to own every items

[@jiujitsu77]

Sectaurs were AMAZING!

[@VorpalDerringer]

Huh! Those are some quality figures. I see they did their research. Trautman is packing a Death Machine--an M60, backpack and ammo can, hooked up a to the ammo chute for the Huey-mounted M60's.

[@simsimma9622]

I had a bunch of those and loved em!!!

[@OLDSCHOOL6239]

YEEAA BUDDY the memories! My mother had bought my brother Rambo for his birthday with the Tri-Tracker Heat Seeking Missile Launcher! Later for my birthday she had gotten me that Savage Strike Cycle and Colonel Trautman. That Cycle was freaking awesome. It had a Gatling gun compartment in the back. Just like in the box art the engine sections did fold down with missiles in them. Then the handle bars were uzis....pure awesomeness. How would the engine be able to run still? Great memories.

[@dinomonzon8853]

Articulation issues aside, the Rambo figures were rather good. Had the basic John Rambo & Colonel Trautman. Too bad a Rambo/G. I. Joe crossover hadn't been considered.

[@CuteFluff8]

Classic intro! Love it!

[@jacobwebb2623]

I had a few of these toys, I loved their weapons, as a matter of fact I use to use some of their weapons for my TMNT figures.

[@tikifire]

Awesome video as usual!

[@billpagan3070]

Great review guys! Very cool😁👍

[@sgzartan]

Another good video. I especially enjoyed the Han Solos and Robotech Cantina part!

[@Greywarden5129]

Oh wow... I used to have the Shadowbat from Starcom as a kid But I never knew what it was called or what it was from because it was a second hand gift from the friend of a friends parent. And all these years I had no idea how to even begin searching for it. Thank you very much for giving me this info, off to ebay I go

[@billymusick]

Great video as always....loved the Han Solo inside joke... I remember this cartoon, but didn't know there were figures.....I found a Muffit toy from battlestar galatica whilst digging thru a box in my basement...it has inspired me to build a set of shelves with nothing but my childhood memories...I think one of these Rambo figures needs to go there...off to ebay!

[@pferreira1983]

The whole idea they made toys or a cartoon series of Rambo boggles the mind.

[@bigkeith41]

Soo good thank u 🙏🏿 for this video miss my Rambo toys 🤟🏿❤️

[@jboypacman]

Freakin' loaded to the teeth! Always liked these figures.

[@bigtone7913]

Love Rambo figures!

[@80sglammetalcast]

Killer toy line🤘🏻 didn't know Coleco made these...wonder if any were made near me in Amsterdam NY

[@CowabungaWo101]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!

[@CowabungaWo101]

YAY!

[@AMX-014S]

Amazing stuff

[@jamesvaughn1090]

Awesome video

[@KendrickHarrisKenfinity]

We've got all of our unstoppable pieces and weapons, no matter what mission or PSA we must support. Stay safe everyone!

[@stevencochran5301]

I had the Bo, his helicopter, and then Trautman. Still looking for, now.

[@Dylanio21]

Wow that is a dark ending, accurate though, I’ve been playing pretty loose replacing with all kinds of random army bits.

[@vasilijedjokic8106]

Super cool

[@oliverbelmonte7077]

Superb review of the Coleco Rambo toys Mr.Michael. Unfortunately i only had black dragon and i lost him. But im helping my college buddy Stephen acquire Rambo toys.he had so far FOF Rambo, Trautman, Turbo,Chief,White Dragon, Warhawk, Havoc,Gripper & Black Dragon.he favors Rambo toys over Gijoe toys. He's looking for Kat and Snakebite plus X-Ray.

[@WishItWas1984]

Cool video guys. I'm glad the ninjas are popular. More people get to see my wife's paintings. :) (she did the cardbacks). Anyway, here's a video I did for the (I assume) unreleased Muscle Power Rambo! Muscle Power Rambo from Coleco If you do Starcom, I have a video up of the Spring 1988 product demo. Feel free to use that if it helps.

[@warface4881]

All action figure lines should put out weapons packs.

[@PozerAdultRacingTeam]

Rambo figures were awesome

[@mattsimmons5148]

I only just got around to watching the first part of this earlier today and I thought "I wonder why there's no part 2".

[@Cavillier1970]

Hmmmm Hey Mike I just realized Gripper's shield might not protect alot, but it'll save his ding-dings! Now with out them I wouldnt want to live! lol

[@hilarioph]

Back in the 80's here in the Philippines. People said when they watched cartoon. They say gees are you sure Rambo is the same as G.I JOE. I mean look in the bright side. In G.I JOE the sound affects are lasers. But on RAMBO cartoons the sound affects are guns and machine guns.

[@Cavillier1970]

Nice finish to the review. I never got these figures but never realized how close they were to the A-Team figures, which I was into majorly. Actually is the A-Team on your to-do list? I remember they had both a GI Joe sized line and the Rambo sized line. I recall they had a collection of badguys/enemies. Now your playset video you guys mentioned the A-Team set, which I had no idea existed. But in one of my favorite episodes from S2 they actually showed a training base for the team,, so it might fit.

[@Cavillier1970]

HOT DAMN! I still remember the night the pilot debuted. After watching this last night I had a thought, back in1985-86 GI Joe was on the verge of having Rocky Balboa join the ranks. In the Battle of the Order (A Marvel Comics Whos' Who) Rocky was list as a trainer for the Joes. The idea was he had an option to serve his country and tour and entertain the troops in expo bouts, or help train them. Yeah the Joes experts all their own Rocky was going to train them to fight wars an keep on coming. They actually developed a prototype, and artwork, but the deal fell apart due to licensing, but I always wondered if in part it was also due to the Rambo line. You guys said it yourselves about the likenesses. And I'm wondering how Hasbro would have liked competing w/ a similar charcter out there.

[@sfighter0085]

Those figures do look interesting. I used to have really crappy Rambo figure I had my Parents buy me at our local Winn-Dixie, in a package that said "Action Figure"...great name huh? Looking back, I do say that a lot, it was a sucky figure, the head turned algae green for some reason, and I think I broke his signature weapon. But I was a Kid back then so...you know.

[@CrisisComics]

Was it the one from this video? There's one at 3:47 called "Action Figure". kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWKkomuPiJ6HaM0

[@JohnAquariusPodcast]

I dont what you have been doing these days but I would have loved it if you made a video about SPIRAL ZONE

[@TeslaDRay]

Warhawk, Havoc and KAT we obviously based on the characters from part 2. we all knew. ;) a great toyline.

[@CowabungaWo101]

FINALY!

[@toonytube2444]

I need to get them.😮

[@joaomotta9652]

Here in Brasil this toyline was kinda popular, recently i saw a Dr hyde figure sealed in card for about R$1500, i think thats more or less $200 or $400 i think.

[@SamuraiXGray]

I had these toys as a kid, i remember i shot rambo's rpg missle at my hot wheels general lee while it was on a track and the string wrapped up in the wheel and it was tangled forever lol

[@chrismc.8358]

I remember General Warhawk being a bit of a peg warmer.

[@oddpodshow]

nice review. dont remember the cartoon or toy line though.

[@MadTheDJ]

Correction: I believe those are Mac 10s, not Uzis.

[@BrownieSomma]

Please review Starcomm, you guys are AWESOME- I'd love to see a comprehensive and professional view of the toyline and marketing that only you guys can do.

[@BrownieSomma]

I used to watch the show as a kid saturday mornings as a kid at like 6AM (i remember dragon warrior had a similar time slot) and remembered that it was really well put together. a more darker and heavier tone than most cartoons. Looking back, as I watched the episodes a year or two ago: I could see why it didn't catch on. Due to a lack of cohesiveness and clear motivations for both the protagonists as well as antagonists. Thanks for listening- you guys are the best!

[@jackywhipet]

I had Rambo and Havok,,awesome figures!!!!!!!!! Havok imo was the Russian big dude from film no 2

[@Thor13332]

I still have My Rambo figure weapons and all. I do notice some slight head discoloration.

[@founder0171]

Do the accessories work with he-man figures?

[@leandrobianchisouza]

I love toys Rambo

[@TheAtari2600man]

When are you going to do more toys from Mego

[@charitovip1393]

good remembers

[@freakshowfilmfestival3591]

That shield is to protect those Uzi's

[@treyjohnson82]

Sharp plastic knives were great too

[@onisnikalos54]

Could you do something on Starcom, I really liked that cartoon-show! Never seen the toys though.

[@lazarus30001]

Like the black nail polish;-p

[@brycevo]

These figures are really cool, better than GI Joe in many ways

[@Eyebrows842]

Imagine how much money they would have mage if they were 3.75 scale just because they would be compatible with GI Joes, Star wars etc.

[@mongrel-starcomics.109]

What does 'fugly' mean? I get the ugly part, does the 'f' at the front stand for what I think it stands for?

[@silverstrike1575]

so are you saying you buy a pack full with guns,bullets, and pointy things

[@themartiallaw]

I only had one of these back then... The rambo with a white shirt. Although the toy is tall, i didnt liked the poor articulation so i went back collecting gi joe. Speaking of gi joe,... Are those 2 joe figures Footloose and Falcon!?!

[@treyjohnson4035]

I finally replaced my only one

[@dedricthere]

I can't believe my mom was too cheap to ever buy me vehicules or anything other than the action figures themselves.

[@federicosalerno3555]

Hi, excellent video, but you didnt talk anything the best action figures, Dr. Hyde and X-ray... Dr. Hyde has a light system that I wanted to see it...

[@retroblasting]

+Federico Salerno you're talking about one of the rarest and most expensive figures in the line. I knew when making this video that Federico would be disappointed but I don't own that figure not did I say in this video that i own everything.

[@federicosalerno3555]

Haha sorry , i didnt understand this part when you say it un the vídeo... but I got Dr. Hyde here in Argentina dont came with the light system.... too sad

[@teppest11]

Star com rocked ... I had sgt havoc and little brother had Rambo

[@MikeGiallo]

in argentina there was a mortal kombat toy line, that were popuiar in the nineties, using the rambo molds, k32.kn3.net/CDC89D449.jpg

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I don't remember if this toyline reach the Philippine market...which was already filled with chinese imitations at that same time.

[@Sharksleep]

What is it with 80's toys and cartoons giving the bad guys mohawks?

[@johnzane3977]

U forgot flamethrower Rambo!!

[@lazarus30001]

Rambo needed real hair, not a plastic mold.

[@kilroywashere513]

I wonder if Michael’s fiancé is a fan of Rambo because of sly Stallone because she’s attracted to him, because Stallone is popular with a lot of women💁🏻‍♂🤔.

[@retroblasting]

This is what you sit around thinking about? Seriously?

[@kilroywashere513]

@@retroblasting it’s just a opinion 💁🏻‍♂.

[@art-n-filmsam3844]

You know what other "R" film was made into toys? TERMINATOR 2 JUDGEMENT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[@art-n-filmsam3844]

snake2006 Oh yeah.....whoops

[@theimmortalvk9273]

snake2006 and Aliens

[@art-n-filmsam3844]

TheImmortalVK.....that to...

[@TheMikeholly]

and Demolition Man with its Mattel toyline

[@theimmortalvk9273]

Michael Holly What?!?!