REVIEW: Commando (Released in 1985) [35th Anniversary]

DIRECTOR: Mark L. Lester

PRODUCER: Joel Silver

WRITERS: Steven E. DeSouza (screenplay) & Joseph Loeb III & Matthew Weisman (story)

PERFORMERS: Arnold Schwarzenegger Rae Dawn Chong Dan Hedaya Vernon Wells James Olson David Patrick Kelly Alyssa Milano Bill Duke

After his big break back in 1984 with the sci-fi classic 'The Terminator', Arnold Schwarzenegger became a solidified star overnight. With this film, he proved he could be more than just a killing machine from the future but a family man with a military background, one so deep that it would sound like a big mistake to cross him if someone close to him was endangered. In this review, we'll be looking at one of the most iconic classics of 80's that jump-started the classic 80's action genre. Commando proved that even guys like Schwarzenegger could be a man with family and action values.

Schwarzenegger plays a former head of a special forces team that went out around the world carrying out secret missions with the best of the best. Then somewhere down the road, he had a daughter which led to his retirement from the service. But sooner or later, your past catches up to and when it does you can either run from it or face it. A group of unpleasant men led by a vengeful soldier (VERNON WELLS) and a dictator (DAN HEDAYA) one day invade his home and try to force him into doing a job for them and to make matters worse, they've abducted his 10 year old daughter (ALYSSA MILANO) to ensure his cooperation. From that point it's one man's journey across the city and the seas to save his only child from getting killed. The one thing I find realistic about this film is a parent's efforts to retrieve their child from the danger they're in before that child's life is claimed by the one threatening it. I don't think I know anyone who's a father that wouldn't go through the lengths that Schwarzenegger's character did. Although the film is about him, it's the principal villains that usually stand out, especially since this was released in the 80's. The chemistry between Hedaya and Wells in the scenes they're in together is just somewhat very entrancing: the scene where they're talking about their fears and they're devotion to their beliefs shows just how different they are despite having a common enemy. Then there's the chemistry between Schwarzenegger and Rae Dawn Chong who plays a young stewardess dragged along for the ride. At first she wants nothing to do with Schwarzenegger, but eventually joins him in his quest. When he makes his way to a motel she reluctantly joins him and his surprise to that is genuine. You see it in his eyes because it's unexpected and just like in a James Bond movie, he gets support from a female lead when he least anticipates it.

The action sequences don't happen until the very climax of the film, then you get your popcorn ready and you're glued to the screen for the rest of the movie. Even before the climax, you're drawn into the characters but the one I felt the most for was Milano. When she was captured by her abductors, my heart just went out to her and no mater how many times I watch this, I get afraid for her safety and while she works a plan of escape, I root for her. The thrilling aspect of this film was watching the suspense build up as each person draws closer and closer to their goal and depending upon the person's intentions, you either sided with them or against them. The rivalry between Schwarzenegger and Wells in this film is the real driving force of the film's action, the moment you see Wells appear on screen you think 'oh no!' and while some more than others compare his wardrobe to Freddie Mercury's, I really see no similarities, just a guy who looks like he could be a counterpart to Schwarzenegger and capable of getting the 30 seconds of fame over his opponent. As it happens the 80's was a time when even the enemies got a chance to beat up the hero before getting theirs, yet for some reason, they were the real stars of the show. As nasty and vengeful as Wells was in this film, he was also someone you paid attention to every time he was on screen. Intimidating, commanding and just plain driven by his own hatred for his former commanding officer.

The catchphrases, locations and moments in the film are also what makes this film a classic, it's comedic timing was genius and it didn't take itself too seriously. It was just a small action film with big stars with the right presence and the right chemistry. Because of these things, Commando was a hit with audiences. Maybe the box office numbers weren't so great but so what? Over the course of the last 35 years like all the others from the 80's era, it developed a significant impact on the action genre and in the process had several other films of it's genre follow in it's footsteps. Had that not happened we would not have gotten the films that followed afterwards. From 'Raw Deal' to 'Predator' to 'Die Hard' the list goes on... 'Commando' showed that 80's action can be anything, do anything and revolutionize anything, no matter how odd the story seemed. Maybe it was a risky move for everyone involved but it paid off in the end. Happy 35th Anniversary to Commando!

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