Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brainless, explosion-happy action ('80s style).
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Commando
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 29 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a quintessential 80s action flick filled with over-the-top violence and cheesy one-liners, making it an entertaining ride for fans of the genre. While some reviewers caution about its frequent strong language and brief nudity, many consider it suitable for older children or teens who can handle the cartoonish violence and humor.
- action-packed
- cartoonish violence
- strong language
- suitable for teens
- cheesy dialogue
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Muscleguy John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a retired super-soldier of some sort, leading a placid existence with his preteen daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) in the woods (no word about what happened to the mother). Old cohorts-turned-enemies invade, abducting Jenny to force Matrix to carry out an assassination/coup in the mythical Latin American nation of "Valverde." Instead, Matrix escapes their clutches and takes the fight to the bad guys, one-man-army fashion, with the sometimes-clumsy assistance of a scared stewardess (Rae Dawn Chong) he encounters en route to the villains' lair.
Is It Any Good?
There were dopier 1980s action movies than this -- check out Sylvester Stallone in Cobra. Still, it's hard to argue very strongly with COMMANDO's listing by the cult-movie website Chud.com as one of the Ten Worst. While seldom boring (actually, when one fiery blast follows another by rote in the end, it does get pretty tiresome), the down-to-basics action narrative is ludicrous, and only Arnold's devoted (and juvenile) fans might find his "character'" compelling, as Matrix tears apart cars and malls with his bare hands. The champion bodybuilder-actor is indeed the one special effect that holds up best; when Arnold lifts a bad guy, the wire attached to the victim is visible, and "guards" around exploding buildings are clearly immobile cutouts/dummies.
Maybe it was all meant for laughs. At least John Matrix promises no more adventuring in the end; no sequels so far, though there has been talk of a Commando remake.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Schwarzenegger's famous defense of his action movies of this era as being mere "cartoon violence."
Does that really make all the deaths and mayhem in Commando worthwhile entertainment? Would a more realistic approach have worked?
Who is your favorite action hero? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 25, 1985
- On DVD or streaming : May 25, 1999
- Cast : Arnold Schwarzenegger , Dan Hedaya , Rae Dawn Chong
- Director : Mark Lester
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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