Review of Commando (1985) by Dean B — 13 May 2011

Well, that was stupid.

I hadn't seen this one in a while, thought it was time to revisit it. I was never the biggest Schwarzenegger fan, even in his heyday, but generally speaking, this is 'my type of movie'. I know this film also has something of a fan base for, not necessarily how bad it is, but for how over the top, very much of it's time, and indicative of the 'type' of movie it is. I guess that's all accurate enough, but "Commando" is not so corny as to be enjoyed on a "can you believe this got made?!" level, yet it's too cheaply made and derivative of this genera of film at the time to standout for it's action sequences and one-liners alone (though there are some doozies).

"Commando" isn't completely without it's dopey charms, and it may be enough for some 80s action movie fans. I can also see how it might provide some unintentional comic relief for the generation too young to have grown up with this sort of film as a theatrical staple (that's right kids, there were dozens of these in theaters every year throughout the 80s). But I'll stick with the "Lethal Weapons"' the "Die Hards", even the "Rambos" (which, by the way, this movie owes a serious debt to) of the time instead.