Commando

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Commando

R

Released Oct 4, 1985

1h 30m

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Retired Special Forces soldier John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) lives with daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) in isolation, but his privacy is disturbed by former commander Franklin Kirby (James Olson), who warns him that his fellow soldiers are getting killed one by one. After Kirby leaves, Jenny is kidnapped by former Latin American dictator Arius (Dan Hedaya), who wants Matrix to restore him to power. Instead, Matrix sets out to take down the rogue leader and rescue his daughter.

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Critics Consensus

The ultimate '80s Schwarzenegger movie, replete with a threadbare plot, outsized action, and endless one-liners.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Comic book stuff, helped out by the presence of Rae Dawn Chong as an airline stewardess whose sarcastic commentary adds some comic counterpoint to the deliberately overscaled action.

Sep 18, 2007

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Variety Staff

Variety

Chong lights up the film like a firefly, Schwarzenegger delivers a certain light touch of his own, [and] the result is palatable action comics.

Sep 18, 2007

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Trevor Johnston

Time Out

Lots of machine-gunfire, explosions and disposable khaki-clad extras, as you'd expect.

Jun 24, 2006

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...there’s no real surprises as to how John Matrix’s mission goes in Commando, but there’s are high-points for sure...what’s notable here apart from the slick action is the comedy, which replaced the toughness in the star’s later vehicles...

Rated: 4/5

Jun 9, 2025

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Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

Editing in action movies is underrated and this one is some of best and tightest you'll find.

Nov 16, 2024

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

As an action film, it decently collects a handful of clichés for Schwarzenegger to do his thing by arming himself with machine guns and one-liners, but somehow the adrenaline decreases with each body count. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Jul 6, 2022

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Garrett B

Classic silly 80’s B-movie action flick.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

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M B

Among the best 80s action movies with nice details and great one liners! Pure entertainment!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/24/25

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Daniel C. M

Although there were indeed some questionable plot holes and questionable script choices that you can't really ignore it even if you turn off your brain...in the end does it really matter? This is top-notch action cinema and probably the least boring movie you will ever see. Also featuring amazing stunt-work and genuinely very funny comedic moments.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

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Matt B

Greatest action movie ever. Arnold plays a single dad, just minding his own business cutting down full sized tress and then carrying them to his house where he lives secluded with his daughter in the mountains after a life of Special Forces work. Soon bad guys take his daughter led by a seemingly metrosexual ex-ally of his from service who loves wearing weird mesh shirts overtop some kind or armor. Arnold goes on a killing spree to get his daughter back: he rips the seat out of a car for no reason, he picks up and slams a telephone booth, he rips a metal pipe off the wall.....everything you could ever want from an action movie is right here. The one-liner at the end of the movie is SOOOOO good too. You will be in tears from laughing at the over the top action, but also because you know you will never see any action movie as great as this in the rest of your short, sad life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/03/25

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Harry M

The best action movie ever made with a legendary hero. Let's Party!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

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Logan H

A fun 80s action blast, you'll be happy to see explosions everywhere and shot-on-sight fun. Action scenes are exciting to immerse yourself in, humor is funny and goofy, but the story can go all over the place. Otherwise, a fun explosive flick.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

Full Review

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Mark L. Lester

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Colonel John Matrix

Rae Dawn Chong

Cindy

Dan Hedaya

Arius

Vernon Wells

Bennett

David Patrick Kelly

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Synopsis

Retired Special Forces soldier John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) lives with daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) in isolation, but his privacy is disturbed by former commander Franklin Kirby (James Olson), who warns him that his fellow soldiers are getting killed one by one. After Kirby leaves, Jenny is kidnapped by former Latin American dictator Arius (Dan Hedaya), who wants Matrix to restore him to power. Instead, Matrix sets out to take down the rogue leader and rescue his daughter.

Director: Mark L. Lester
Producer: Joel Silver
Screenwriter: Matthew Weisman, Jeph Loeb, Steven E. de Souza, Steven E. de Souza
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Silver Pictures, SLM Production Group, Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 1985, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.9M
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby A, Dolby SR, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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