Commando

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Release Date: October 4th 1985

A retired elite Black Ops Commando launches a one man war against a group of South American criminals who have kidnapped his daughter to blackmail him into starting a revolution and getting an exiled dictator back into power.

Director: Mark L. Lester

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Raw Dawn Chong, Alyssa Milano, Vernon Wells

It's unbelievable to say that this film is nearly 30 years old. A lot has changed in that time. A film like this has to be taken with an open mind. Schwarzenegger had hit major fame with 1984's The Terminator. He's in his prime and at his peak during this time. Commando is pure mindless action. It contains everything you'd expect an Arnie film to have; shoot-outs, hand-to-hand combat and lots (and I mean lots) of deaths.

Commando lacks a strong plot and imagination, but those are not the components that make us watch an Arnie film. We're not in it for the engrossing storyline but for the adrenaline and the rush. We're in it for the kicks and thrills that Arnold Schwarzenegger brings to the screen so well.

John Matrix is an outrageous action hero in the sense that he's completely indestructible. All the thugs and goons in the criminal underworld barely lay a finger on him. He comes away unscathed every time. There's plenty of abstract material that borders fantasy, for example, the action sequences are mostly believable, until the climactic, almost ridiculous ending sees Matrix against 100+ baddies that are nothing but cannon fodder.

The only baddie that stands a chance in facing the mighty Matrix is former Black Ops member Bennett (Wells). A one-on-one showdown is inevitable and Bennett is more than a match for our hero. Lester has saved the best until last. 
 
Let's not forget the cheesy one-liners, as these are just as enjoyable as the action. Those that crop up make light on the seriousness surrounding them, adding to the whole entertainment factor of Commando.

Overview: Just as Matrix says: 'let off some steam', and you're likely to enjoy this, fun, easy-going film.