Commando (1985)

Arnold Schwarzenegger gets the good-guy role in his first movie after finding cult success with The Terminator (1984).

Although he still looks a little awkward with dialogue, he makes for a spectacularly destructive hero, playing Colonel John Matrix – a former Special Forces colonel who has retired to his mountain home and steadfastly refuses to return to active service but is called back into action when his daughter, Jenny (Alyssa Milano) is kidnapped by an old (Australian) adversary.

Dan Hedaya is an engaging chief villain as General Arius, and there’s a spirited turn from Rae Dawn Chong as Arnie’s unwilling partner, foxy stewardess Cindy.

The so-called plot is really just an excuse for a series of eye-popping action scenes.

Mark L Lester is a no-frills director and his set-pieces pack an explosive punch – such as a great department store fracas which finds Arnie beating up some two dozen security guards.

Colonel John Matrix
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Cindy
Rae Dawn Chong
General Arius
Dan Hedaya
Bennett
Vernon Wells
General Kirby
James Olson
Sully
David Patrick Kelly
Jenny
Alyssa Milano
Cooke
Bill Duke
Lawson
Drew Snyder
Leslie
Sharon Wyatt

Director
Mark L Lester