Brian Tyler composed the original score for the film. He was a fan of First Blood during his childhood,and at an IGN interview,when Tyler recalled on how coincidentally Stallone called him even before the film began production,considering it as a surreal experience adding "no words can describe how strange it was [to receive that call] as a huge fan".[1] Stallone wanted Tyler to incorporate Jerry Goldsmith's original themes into the film to maintain continuity with this film and the rest of the franchise.[2] Tyler then modified it with re-arrangements and newer orchestration,with the actual theme intact. He further wrote two new themes for Rambo specifically for the film,which would intertwine with Goldsmith's themes as well.[3] Tyler wrote a strongly stated motive which was melodic in a different tone than the original theme due to the difference in this film's storyline compared to the predecessors. Tyler admitted that there were huge expectations,especially from fans of the franchise who liked Goldsmith's scores and worked very hard to make it sound the way they liked. He considered it as an homage to Goldsmith and his contributions for the franchise.[4]
Release
The soundtrack was released through Lionsgate Records in both digital and physical formats on January 22,2009.[5][6]
Track listing
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Rambo Theme"
3:34
2.
"No Rules of Engagement"
7:09
3.
"Conscription"
2:55
4.
"The Rescue"
4:04
5.
"Aftermath"
2:33
6.
"Searching for Missionaries"
7:07
7.
"Haunting Mercenaries"
2:43
8.
"Crossing into Burma"
6:59
9.
"The Village"
1:43
10.
"Rambo Returns"
2:44
11.
"When You Are Pushed"
2:26
12.
"The Call to War"
2:51
13.
"Atrocities"
1:40
14.
"Prison Camp"
4:42
15.
"Attack on the Village"
3:01
16.
"Rambo Takes Charge"
2:22
17.
"The Compound"
7:48
18.
"Battle Adagio"
3:10
19.
"Rambo Main Title"
3:30
20.
"Rambo End Title"
2:58
Total length:
75:59
Reception
Christopher Coleman of Tracksounds wrote "Those of you who enjoy Brian Tyler's works and those of you quasi-nostalgic over the original First Blood, this effort (the score, not the film) may have something to offer you."[7] Thom Jurek of AllMusic described it as a "fine score" which adds some depth and surprise in it, despite Tyler's functional soundscape.[8] He added, "There is something actually quite regal and powerful here; the notion of a score as a work in and of itself seems to have been forgotten in Hollywood, but for Goldsmith, this is obviously still true, thank goodness."[8]
Clark Douglas of Movie Music UK admitted that the score has some merit, but "one is only reminded of just how much more satisfying the Goldsmith efforts were. Tyler’s music somehow sounds too familiar, there’s not much here that we haven’t heard before, and it would have been much more interesting if his writing had somewhat echoed Goldsmith’s rather than [Hans] Zimmer's."[9] He recommended the album for Tyler enthusiasts, while considered it disappointing for Goldsmith's fans.[9] Thomas Glorieux of Maintitles was critical of Tyler's inability to reinvent himself as the soundscape was too similar comparing his Eagle Eye (2008) and Darkness Falls (2003).[10]Filmtracks wrote "this score has a variety of plusses and minuses, averaging out to be an interesting but ultimately disappointing listening experience."[11]
↑ Central, Film Music (January 25, 2016). "Brian Tyler talks Rambo (2008)". Film Music Central. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
