Arnie as the Commando
Command is an old movie from the shoot ‘em up 80’s, starring that seminal 80’s action star: Arnold Schwarenegger. So, there is a long list of problems, but we’ll start with the cliche`s (who knows, maybe they did them first and everyone else made them cliche`s)
its your usual over-the-top action film. Arnie is a retired special forces commando forced to do one last mission for the traitorous ex-comrades who’ve kidnapped his daughter.
In a fight with one of the named villains, he kills him by uppercutting him onto a table leg, impaling him. He then proceeds to ask the man to talk. Now I understand the dramatic necessity for the desperate hero to try and get information out of a mortally wounded villain, but hes got a 3 foot spike through his chest, he ain’t sayin’ NOTHING! There IS a limit to even MY suspension of disbelief.
The spunky girl along for the ride. Arnie basically kidnaps a stewardess and drags her along. I would think that anyone would call the cops before developing Stockholm Syndrome.
The main villain is an ex-partner, rumored to be dead, who’s back to take on his former friend who thinks he’s gone soft. But the part is filled by Vernon Wells, a flabby, skinny-armed doofus who looks more like a crooked Florida cop than an ex-commando. Maybe if he beefed up and did some military training I could almost believe it. Perhaps we’re more used to that complete experience where millions of dollars are spent training the actors to make sure they look the part, and can do the stunts.etc. believably. maybe we’ve become spoiled…
There are all the usual ridiculous deaths, invincible heroes, infinite ammo, storm trooper effect, lame one-liners, and predictable last-minute twists, etc. you’ve already seen in every other movie.
Really the only thing I like about the movie is the fact that when the bad guys grab Arnie and send him off on his mission, the first thing he does is escape, track them down and go after them.
What I didn’t like was the fucking steel drum and saxophone in all the soundtrack!!!!
Yes, Arnie, somewhere, somehow, someone did pay: ME!
Surprisingly, having seen Arnie’s later movies, I CAN see a development as an actor, he was horrible in the movie: wooden, bland, etc. But, he is much better in later films, still no prize-winner, but not nearly this bad.
Luby’s Review: 4 out of 10
