Few actors have the star power of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Austrian Oak starred in some of the finest action films ever made, routinely leaving his mark on genre-defining classics. He’s also been in plenty of weird trash and ill-advised misfires. Between the unambiguous masterpieces and the poorly-received schlock, there are a hundred shoot-em-ups that fans might not remember.Commandois the ultimate example of those enjoyable mid-range action blockbusters.
Schwarzenegger became known worldwide as a bodybuilder in the late 60s and early 70s. He achieved global recognition as an actor in 1982 when he took the starring role inConan the Barbarian. Just two years later, he wouldportray the eponymousTerminatorin the performance that would define his career. A year after that, he starred inCommando, a film that summarizes his cinematic legacy.
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What IsCommandoAbout?
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars asretired US Army Special Forces Colonel John Matrix. Colonel Matrix has settled down after his years at war. He’s created a peaceful life with his young daughter, Jenny. They live in a beautiful estate in the mountains. Matrix spends his time chopping firewood and teaching his daughter to be one with nature. Matrix’s idyllic retirement is interrupted when his former commanding officer arrives with a dire warning. A gang of unknown mercenaries has eliminated every member of Matrix’s unit. Moments later, the mercenaries come for Matrix. Matrix discovers that the mercenaries are led by one of his former allies, Bennett. Bennett and his allies lay siege to Matrix’s home and kidnap young Jenny.
Though Matrix is prepared to deal with intruders, he’s quickly incapacitated and taken hostage. Matrix discovers that the mercenaries are on the payroll of President Arius, a South American dictator he helped remove from power. Arius needs Matrix toassassinate a political rival, and his daughter’s life is on the line. John Matrix knows that Arius won’t hesitate to kill his daughter whether he does the job or not, so he swiftly escapes his handler and sets out on a quest for revenge. Matrix enlists the aid of a young flight attendant and works his way up through the powerful force that opposes him. He’ll have to become a one-man army to defeat Arius’s mercenaries, but he’s called theCommandofor a reason.
What MakesCommandoSo Good?
The entry for “action movie” in any self-respecting dictionary should consist of the full 90-minute feature presentation ofCommando. Not because it’s the best action film ever made.Schwarzenegger himself has starredin multiple superior action offerings.Commandois the perfect codifier of the genre. It’s as rote and by the numbers as an action film can be without being a parody. Yet, though every scene is predictable, they’re all near-perfect versions of what they’re trying to accomplish. There’s almost nothing inCommandothat doesn’t need to be there. Schwarzenegger portrays the perfect action-figure-ready hero. The villain stepped straight out of an episode ofG. I. Joe. The physical threat, Vernon Wells as Bennett, is Schwarzenegger’s perfect foil. He’s everything Jessie “The Body” Ventura was inPredator.It’s a shame they haven’t worked together more often.Commandois the Platonicideal of an action blockbuster. Every shootout, fistfight, set piece, and note-perfect one-liner is a well-timed firework that works in concert to create a wonderful display. It’s got no frills, no nonsense, no character development.Commandois all killer, no filler.
How DoesCommandoEnd?
There may be no film for which a spoiler warning matters less, but spoilers forCommandofollow. Matrix and flight attendant Cindy track down Arius’s mercenaries one by one to find his location. They find “funny guy” Sully first, granting them a hotel room key. They find a former Green Beret in the hotel and discover Arius’s warehouse, allowing them to track down his island fortress. Matrix and Cindy break into an Army surplus store andleave with enough weaponsto unseat the local government. They prove their point by blowing up a cop car and stealing a plane. On Arius’s island, Matrix launches his final rampage, kills all of Arius’s men, and eventually executes the former dictator. Matrix prepares to escape with Jenny and Cindy, but Bennett stops him in his tracks. Matrix appeals to Bennett’s bloodlust, entreating him to fight him mano-a-mano with their knives.Bennett succumbs, allowing Matrixto impale him with a metal pipe. Matrix leaves the island and returns to his humble life, turning down his commanding officer’s offer to rejoin his old unit.
Commandoisn’t a film that requires discussion. There’s nothing to say during or after viewing it other than, “That was awesome.” It’s a simple, pure, perfect encapsulation of everything that made 80s action so much fun. Arnold Schwarzenegger deserves the praisehe receives forTotal RecallorTerminator, but he should really get more recognition for becoming the perfect star for the perfect action movie.
