Commando (1985)

"Let off some steam, Bennett." (Matrix to Bennet after putting a steam pipe through his chest.)

Two and a half cheers for Commando.  Sometimes it takes Arnnnooold....to establish a genre and put the boots down to an 80s classic.

It's a tough call, but if I were to have to choose only one film to represent the entirety of action movies, I might have to choose commando.  Not because of its plot.  Definitely not because of its acting, Its script is abysmal. And not because of any innovative techniques or firsts.  I choose Commando because IT HAS EVERYTHING that an action movie should.  EVERYTHING.  Commando checks all the boxes.

• One liner after a kill *Check
• Excessive explosions *Check
• Attractive daughter in jeopardy *Check (Alyssa Milano in this case)
• Vague and non-descript Narco-Trafficantes with possible Russian and Communist ties *Check
• One man vs an army goons in a palatial estate *Check
• Montage of our hero suiting up for battle *Check (Arnold goes full war paint)
• A malevolent and diabolical mastermind with no physical prowess coupled with an ex-military buddy related to the hero, who betrayed his country and his team *Check
• This guy Link *Check
• Understated and yet pervasive homo-eroticism *Check
• Attractive sidekick picked up under less than plausible circumstances who turns out to have skills and information absolutely critical to the plot *Check plus
• In the case of Commando, Rae Dawn Chong is an unassuming stewardess that Arnold briefly kidnaps at gun point and then proceeds to know how to fly a plane, fire a rocket launcher, and inform Arnold of the hangouts, politics, and financial models of 80s drug lords in LA.  He's really lucky he found her.

The list could go on and on. 

Commando has EVERYTHING.

On a scale of Rated R in 1985 to Rated R in 2014, I give Commando 2.98 out of 5 stars.