Commando (1985)
Director: Mark L. Lester
Screenwriters: Jeph Loeb, Matthew Weisman, Steven E. de Souza
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Alyssa Milano, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells, James Olson, David Patrick Kelly, Bill Paxton
Mark L. Lester’s Commando is one of the quintessential mid-1980s action films, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger in the iconic role of John Matrix. The movie blends straightforward, kinetic action with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor and a string of memorable one-liners. It’s a film built around crowd-pleasing set pieces, plainspoken heroics and a deliberately exaggerated tone that leans into its own excesses.
The story centers on John Matrix, a retired special-operations soldier trying to enjoy a quiet life in the mountains with his young daughter Jenny, played by Alyssa Milano. Their peaceful domestic routine—feeding deer, sharing peanut butter sandwiches, and living off the grid—provides the film’s warm human core. That calm is violently disrupted when a group of mercenaries abducts Jenny to force Matrix to carry out an assassination. The premise is simple and direct: a father will stop at nothing to get his child back.
From that set-up, Commando unfolds as a relentless series of action sequences. Matrix dons his combat instincts again and embarks on a single-minded mission to rescue Jenny. Along the way he teams up with an unwitting, upbeat flight attendant, Cindy, played by Rae Dawn Chong, whose cheerful demeanor contrasts nicely with Matrix’s laconic intensity. Their chemistry mixes grit with light comedy, and the film frequently plays to that contrast for both laughs and dramatic momentum.
Schwarzenegger’s performance is all energy and understatement: his iconic delivery of blunt, often self-aware lines gives the film its driving personality. The script doesn’t aim for subtlety; instead it supplies pithy quips and bold action beats that make the movie moving and entertaining in equal measure. Lines like “he’s dead tired” capture the film’s willingness to have fun with its own cornier elements.
The supporting cast brings a variety of flavors to the proceedings. Alyssa Milano offers a convincing, sympathetic performance as Matrix’s daughter, grounding the stakes emotionally. Rae Dawn Chong brings comic relief and a can-do attitude that complements Schwarzenegger’s stoicism. The villains—portrayed by actors including Vernon Wells and David Patrick Kelly—range from threatening to oddly comic, contributing to the film’s roller-coaster tone. Bill Paxton appears in a small but memorable role, adding another recognizable face to the mix.
Visually, Commando is an exercise in efficient action filmmaking. The choreography favors clear, readable sequences: close-quarters combat, explosive encounters and improvised weaponry combine into a watchable, fast-moving narrative. The film doesn’t hide its continuity errors or narrative shortcuts; instead it embraces them, allowing viewers to focus on the excitement rather than the logic. For many fans, that is precisely the appeal.
Commando’s strengths lie in its unabashed commitment to a specific brand of 1980s action cinema. It emphasizes spectacle over realism, character archetypes over nuance, and a pace that rarely lets the audience breathe. While the screenplay contains moments of thin plotting and contrivance, the film compensates with charisma, clear motivation, and a sense of fun that keeps it engaging. The balance of action and humor makes it suitable for a casual movie night or a nostalgic rewatch.
The film has remained a recognizable entry in Schwarzenegger’s catalog and continues to be enjoyed by audiences who appreciate straightforward action movies with a wink. Whether admired for its quotable lines, its energetic set pieces, or its old-school heroics, Commando occupies a distinct place in 1980s pop culture.
15/24