Commando

Just one year after the iconic role in The Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger went from the cold robotic assassin to a much warmer role as a former solider turned compassionate father, John Matrix, in 1985's Commando. Here he is enjoying a more peaceful life, instead of hunting down Sarah Connor, until a former member of his squad kidnaps his daughter and threatens to kill her unless he assassinates a South American president who will then be replaced with a corrupt wannabe dictator. 

Directed by Mark L. Lester, who has an unfortunately unremarkable filmography besides this, Schwarzenegger is at the peak of his powers as the musclebound superhuman and is perfectly cast in a role that balances the serious moments with some great one-liners proving he has some range beyond just playing a stoic terminator. The film itself is a light-hearted action flick with plenty of fun moments throughout, benefiting from the use of practical effects, before the gloriously over-the-top climax that sees Arnie gunning down hundreds of enemy soldiers. It is ridiculous but Lester and his leading man find a way to keep it all fun and entertaining. 

Commando's only weakness though when ranked among Schwarzenegger's other films would be Vernon Wells' antagonist that fits to a degree in some of the film's campy humour but is still just forgettable and never seems like much of a physical threat. It's a shame as the inevitable showdown between them should feel like a true test to see which of these professional killers is the best, instead it is just a serviceable fight sequence with a decent one-liner to keep the story light. 

This is far from Schwarzenegger's best work but anyone in search of some good action entertainment that doesn't take itself too seriously will find a good time to be had here. The story moves along nicely and the supporting cast of henchmen, including Predator's Bill Duke, all play their parts well in making for a fun 1980s action flick.