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The Explosive Tale of "Commando"

In a world defined by tension and action, the opening scene of the 1985 classic "Commando" sets a gripping tone as it introduces the unrelenting violence and chaos that will follow.

In a quiet suburban neighborhood, two garbage workers double as assassins. Unbeknownst to former soldier Lawson, who awakens next to an attractive woman, his mundane morning routine is about to be shattered. Thinking the garbage truck's sudden arrival signals a schedule change, he rushes outside with his trash, only to be met with a hail of gunfire from the assassins. A brutal death scene depicts the merciless nature of the hired killers.

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The narrative quickly shifts focus to another assassin, Cook, who, after a grotesque turn of events at a car dealership that ends with the dealership owner being run over, targets a sailor named Bennett. Bennett, a fellow former soldier, leaves to man a tugboat, only to find his exit cut short by a remote-controlled explosion orchestrated by Cook.

As the action intensifies, we are thrust into the life of retired Army Special Forces Colonel John Matrix. Residing in the mountains of Upstate California with his young daughter Jenny, John enjoys life in a serene bubble that is abruptly pierced by the arrival of Major General Franklin Kirby. Franklin reveals that John’s former military unit has been decimated by unknown mercenaries, and John's own life hangs in the balance.

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When gunmen ambush John's home moments after the general leaves, John springs into action. He deftly secures his daughter and instructs her to hide, while he retrieves his rifle to confront the attackers. In a shocking twist, he encounters an assassin named Diaz, who reveals that Jenny has been taken hostage. Rather than comply with threats, John retaliates, shooting Diaz, marking the beginning of his relentless quest to save his daughter.

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Despite his skills, John is soon overpowered and tranquilized. Upon regaining consciousness, he finds himself chained and face-to-face with Bennett, the mastermind behind the attacks and someone John had previously discharged from the military for his violent actions. Bennett seeks revenge for his past humiliation, and with the threat of harm coming to Jenny, John reluctantly agrees to assassinate the new president of Bennett's native land to secure his daughter’s release.

The pace quickens as John boards a plane with the intention of carrying out Bennett's demands. However, seizing an opportunity, he dispatches a mercenary named Henrik in a clever and comedic fashion before parachuting out of the aircraft, showcasing a level of bravado characteristic of 80s action films.

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His journey to find Jenny leads him to Sully, an associate of Bennett, whom John tracks down with the help of a flight attendant named Cindy. Their plan spirals into chaos when Cindy betrays John, leading to a frantic chase through a mall. The encounter culminates in a dramatic showdown, with John defeating Sully and recovering valuable information about Jenny's whereabouts.

An impressive car chase sequence ensues, filled with adrenaline-pumping moments as John and Cindy work to stay one step ahead of the menacing mercenaries. After discovering Cook's motel hideout, the two prepare for an inevitable confrontation with the final assassins.

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In an impressive and increasingly absurd series of confrontations, John engages in hand-to-hand combat with Cook, resulting in Cook's violent demise. With newfound clues, John and Cindy set off for a private plane hangar, eventually leading them to the island where Jenny is held captive.

As John gears up with an arsenal of military weapons, the action reaches a fever pitch. The island’s militarized environment ushers in countless confrontations, with John dispatching enemy troops with exaggerated feats of strength and seemingly superhuman accuracy.

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Meanwhile, Jenny's attempts to escape her captors add emotional stakes to the explosive action. In a twisted turn of fate, John discovers that Bennett has reignited the confrontation by capturing Jenny, leading to a brutal showdown between the two former soldiers.

The knife duel between John and Bennett is a climactic moment steeped in irony—two combatants with shared histories now fighting to the death. In a display of sheer determination, John ultimately triumphs, silencing Bennett once and for all.

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As the chaos subsides, Major General Kirby extends an offer for John to return to active duty, but John opts for a quieter life, rejecting the call to arms. The film concludes with John reuniting with his daughter and Cindy, leaving the island behind in a sea plane, solidifying the film’s legacy as a quintessential action romp defined by its over-the-top violence, memorable one-liners, and the indomitable spirit of its hero.

In an era where action films were becoming a cultural phenomenon, "Commando" captured audiences with its blend of humor and relentless action, solidifying Arnold Schwarzenegger's status as an action icon and paving the way for countless imitators in the years to come.