Commando (1985)
Commando (1985)
Commando is a classic 1985 action film directed by Mark L. Lester and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in one of his most iconic roles. The film captures the essence of 1980s action cinema with its non-stop thrills, over-the-top violence, and a one-man army plot that helped define Schwarzenegger’s career as an action hero.
Arnold plays John Matrix, a retired elite special forces operative living a peaceful life in the mountains with his young daughter Jenny (played by Alyssa Milano). However, his past catches up with him when a group of mercenaries, led by the ruthless ex-soldier Bennett (Vernon Wells), kidnap Jenny. Their goal is to force Matrix to assassinate the president of a fictional South American country, Val Verde, so that a deposed dictator can regain power.
Instead of complying, Matrix fakes his cooperation, escapes from a plane mid-flight in a daring stunt, and launches a relentless mission to rescue his daughter. With only a few hours before Jenny is killed, Matrix goes on a violent rampage across Los Angeles and eventually to a heavily guarded island fortress. Along the way, he teams up with Cindy (Rae Dawn Chong), a civilian flight attendant who becomes an unlikely but loyal ally.
The film is packed with high-octane action: gun battles, hand-to-hand combat, car chases, and explosive set pieces. Schwarzenegger’s character delivers a mix of brute strength and deadpan one-liners that have since become legendary, such as “I’ll be back, Bennett,” and “Let off some steam.” His portrayal of John Matrix is the epitome of the invincible action hero — calm under pressure, merciless toward enemies, and unstoppable in his quest.
Bennett, the chainmail-wearing antagonist, is portrayed with exaggerated villainy, making him a memorable and almost cartoonishly evil foe. The final showdown between Matrix and Bennett is intense, satisfying, and loaded with macho bravado.
Though the plot is simple and often implausible, Commando never pretends to be anything other than a fun, fast-paced action spectacle. It embraces its own absurdity, delivering pure entertainment driven by adrenaline and testosterone.
Today, Commando remains a cult favorite and a textbook example of 1980s action filmmaking. It helped cement Schwarzenegger’s status as an international superstar and laid the groundwork for countless similar films in the action genre. If you’re a fan of explosive, no-holds-barred action, Commando is a must-watch.
