"Commando" (1985) with Nicholas Pepin

"Remember, Sully, when I promised to kill you last? I lied."
Strap on your tactical vest and load up your rocket launcher, because this week on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, we are diving headfirst into the ultimate one-man-army movie: 1985’s Commando.

When a retired elite Special Forces operative, John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger), is blackmailed into a political assassination after his daughter (Alyssa Milano) is kidnapped, he has exactly 11 hours to track her down and dismantle an entire mercenary army. Host Tim Williams is joined by returning guest Nicholas Pepin to break down this quintessential 80s action masterpiece.

We discuss Arnold at the absolute peak of his action-hero powers, the wonderfully over-the-top villainy of Vernon Wells as Bennett, and the incredible behind-the-scenes trivia that brought this explosive film to life. Plus, we put our knowledge to the test with a special true-or-false edition of our trivia segment, Risky Quizness!

Does John Matrix's rescue mission still pack the same punch today? Join us as we put Commando to our official Rewatchability and Nostalgia Meter.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Peak Arnold: Why Commando perfectly cemented Schwarzenegger's legacy as the ultimate 80s action star.
• The Ultimate Villains: Exploring the casting choices and pop-culture impact of the movie's iconic bad guys.
• Behind-the-Scenes Secrets: Box office success, production trivia, and the stories behind those legendary one-liners.
• Risky Quizness: A high-stakes trivia showdown you can play along with at home!

Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction to Commando & The Golden Age of 80s Action
• 01:18 – Initial Thoughts & First Viewing Memories
• 02:31 – The Pure Entertainment Value of Commando
• 03:15 – Casting Breakdown & Character Analysis
• 08:32 – TRIVIA: A True-or-False Game of Risky Quizness
• 13:26 – Casting Choices & The Film's Impact on Pop Culture
• 17:40 – The Opening Credits & John Matrix's Character Portrayal
• 23:35 – Villain Casting: Why Bennett is an Unforgettable Bad Guy
• 25:11 – Exploring the Rest of the Ensemble Cast
• 39:35 – Behind-the-Scenes Production Lore & Box Office Success
• 43:09 – The Nostalgia Meter: Our Final Rewatchability Rating

Resources & Links

• Official Website: 80s Flick Flashback
• Connect with the Show: Follow us on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram to tell us your favorite Arnold one-liner!
• Support the Podcast: If you love classic 80s action, leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help other retro movie buffs find the feed!