...an action packed riot.
I enjoyed watching "Commando" whole-heartedly after not seeing it for over a decade. Perhaps two. I grew up in a time when "Conan," "Commando," and "The Terminator" were showcasing the Austrian super hero and always enjoyed films starring the heavily accented one. Those films were and still are a lot of fun and "Commando" is one of the more ridiculously fun romps featuring Arnold. Sure, "Twins" and "Kindergarten Cop" tried to tarnish the luster of Arnold´s oversized biceps, but nearly twenty five years later, "Commando" is still as much fun to watch as it was when I was just a lad. The film has held up well over the years and while it cannot compare to "Terminator 2" or "True Lies," it allows us to fondly remember a time when Hollywood could succumb to excess and come out smelling pretty.
Video:
I am torn in my opinion of the new high def presentation of "Commando" on Blu-ray. The film is no spring chicken and looks slightly washed out and surely appears dated when compared to anything released in the past decade. However, the 1.85:1 MPEG2 mastered film isn´t bad considering its age. The colors are slightly desaturated and very reminiscent of something from 1985. They look very natural and lack the processed coloring of today´s films. I know there are some that prefer a ´film-like´ hue, but I´ve come to love the bright and vibrant colors and always feel a little let down when I see an older film that doesn´t quite "pop" with color. Detail is strong, but it too cannot compare to the more recent titles. I popped in the "Alien vs. Predator" sequel for just a couple of minutes before starting to write this review and the difference is day and night. There is a thin layer of film grain present and should satisfy those out there that prefer that ´film-like´ quality, but I see it as dated. Considering this film is over twenty-five years old, I think it looks pretty good on Blu-ray. It is very clean and I couldn´t spot a single digital flaw, but poor Arnold looks far younger in the film than the film itself.
Sound:
"Commando" does feature a pretty good DTS HD 5.1 Master Lossless Audio soundtrack that won´t push the boundaries of the sound format, but the veteran film sounds better than it ever sounded on either cable television or VHS. Actually, "Commando" doesn´t sound nearly as dated as it looks and I found the rear surrounds to be used effectively and I enjoyed the final assault when bullets fly from every direction. Granted, this isn´t as ´amped up´ as today´s films, but it sound quite good. The .1 LFE channel has its moments and when the Claymore Mines somehow devastate the entire camp, the explosion rocks the room efficiently. Sound pans nicely between channels and dialogue is incredibly clear and Arnold´s thick accent is never bothersome. The included Dolby Surround mix is nowhere near as impressive. A mono mix is included for Spanish folk and French speaking persons get an upgrade to stereo sound.
Extras:
There exists somewhere in the world a slightly longer cut of "Commando." Or so I´ve heard. I would have loved to have had that version included via seamless branching on the Blu-ray release. In fact, I would have enjoyed any semblance of bonus materials aside from the theatrical trailer. The trailer looked quite good in high definition and I enjoyed seeing it for the first time, but where is my value added content for an Arnold Schwarzenegger film? The film is Enhanced for D-Box Motion Control Systems, but I personally do not see the need to add yet another box of electronics to my viewing room and then hook a chair up to the Internet to have it rumble. I imagine this is a boon for anybody who has purchased a D-Box Motion Code system, but I cannot comment too much on how it feels.
Closing Comments:
"Commando" is a lot of fun. I look back over my review and realize I didn´t comment much on the acting. It doesn´t matter. Sure Bennett´s shirt is the most ridiculous clothing item I have ever seen in a film, but that doesn´t matter either. What does matter is that "Commando" shows the great action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime and he eradicates hundreds of soldiers with just the weapons and limited ammunition that he can float on a rubber dinghy. It really is impressive. The film shouldn´t be taken seriously, but simply enjoyed. If you do that, "Commando" is an action packed riot. The Blu-ray release shows the film´s age with a detailed transfer that betrays the film´s age. The soundtrack sounded far more recent. The release is incredibly thin on supplements, but will provide a little more value-added functionality for those with a D-Box unit and motion chair. I would have loved a little more ´polish´ on the Blu-ray release, but I love having this remembrance of the Golden Age of Hollywood Action Films on Blu-ray. Cheers.
Video:
I am torn in my opinion of the new high def presentation of "Commando" on Blu-ray. The film is no spring chicken and looks slightly washed out and surely appears dated when compared to anything released in the past decade. However, the 1.85:1 MPEG2 mastered film isn´t bad considering its age. The colors are slightly desaturated and very reminiscent of something from 1985. They look very natural and lack the processed coloring of today´s films. I know there are some that prefer a ´film-like´ hue, but I´ve come to love the bright and vibrant colors and always feel a little let down when I see an older film that doesn´t quite "pop" with color. Detail is strong, but it too cannot compare to the more recent titles. I popped in the "Alien vs. Predator" sequel for just a couple of minutes before starting to write this review and the difference is day and night. There is a thin layer of film grain present and should satisfy those out there that prefer that ´film-like´ quality, but I see it as dated. Considering this film is over twenty-five years old, I think it looks pretty good on Blu-ray. It is very clean and I couldn´t spot a single digital flaw, but poor Arnold looks far younger in the film than the film itself.
Sound:
"Commando" does feature a pretty good DTS HD 5.1 Master Lossless Audio soundtrack that won´t push the boundaries of the sound format, but the veteran film sounds better than it ever sounded on either cable television or VHS. Actually, "Commando" doesn´t sound nearly as dated as it looks and I found the rear surrounds to be used effectively and I enjoyed the final assault when bullets fly from every direction. Granted, this isn´t as ´amped up´ as today´s films, but it sound quite good. The .1 LFE channel has its moments and when the Claymore Mines somehow devastate the entire camp, the explosion rocks the room efficiently. Sound pans nicely between channels and dialogue is incredibly clear and Arnold´s thick accent is never bothersome. The included Dolby Surround mix is nowhere near as impressive. A mono mix is included for Spanish folk and French speaking persons get an upgrade to stereo sound.
Extras:
There exists somewhere in the world a slightly longer cut of "Commando." Or so I´ve heard. I would have loved to have had that version included via seamless branching on the Blu-ray release. In fact, I would have enjoyed any semblance of bonus materials aside from the theatrical trailer. The trailer looked quite good in high definition and I enjoyed seeing it for the first time, but where is my value added content for an Arnold Schwarzenegger film? The film is Enhanced for D-Box Motion Control Systems, but I personally do not see the need to add yet another box of electronics to my viewing room and then hook a chair up to the Internet to have it rumble. I imagine this is a boon for anybody who has purchased a D-Box Motion Code system, but I cannot comment too much on how it feels.
Closing Comments:
"Commando" is a lot of fun. I look back over my review and realize I didn´t comment much on the acting. It doesn´t matter. Sure Bennett´s shirt is the most ridiculous clothing item I have ever seen in a film, but that doesn´t matter either. What does matter is that "Commando" shows the great action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime and he eradicates hundreds of soldiers with just the weapons and limited ammunition that he can float on a rubber dinghy. It really is impressive. The film shouldn´t be taken seriously, but simply enjoyed. If you do that, "Commando" is an action packed riot. The Blu-ray release shows the film´s age with a detailed transfer that betrays the film´s age. The soundtrack sounded far more recent. The release is incredibly thin on supplements, but will provide a little more value-added functionality for those with a D-Box unit and motion chair. I would have loved a little more ´polish´ on the Blu-ray release, but I love having this remembrance of the Golden Age of Hollywood Action Films on Blu-ray. Cheers.
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[release]23487[/release]