Commando
James Horner
" Commando is explosive in its rhythms, and unmemorable in its tone after a while "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
Commando is one of the many silly but thoroughly enjoyable action films of Arnold Schwarzenegger's career. In 1985 (one year after the breakthrough of Arnie in The Terminator), Schwarzenegger battled every single year after that for the biggest action roles, roles he was trying to steal from one Sylvester Stallone. And even though Commando will not be remembered for the biggest action impression, it was nonetheless a commercial hit. For the music, one James Horner was chosen, with perhaps the explicit demand: recreate as much as possible the sound of 48 Hrs., or Gorky Park for that matter.
So, despite the endless rips here, many will have grown up with Commanda's action style and more specifically sound. The electronic rhythm perfectly reflects John Matrix' big posture and cool invincible look in "Main Title". The shakuhachi and saxophone of course continue their role as they played it in 48 Hrs.. The change in "Main Title" comes from Horner's lovely string theme for daughter Jenny (the young Alyssa Milano), which is a real breath of fresh air. The threat coming from the shakuhachi and the uneasy strings in "Run to the Shed and Chase" heighten an already frenetic action rhythm after that (which gets momentum through the saxophone near the end of this cue). And the opening is furthermore memorable due to the 80's coolness that's alive and kicking in "Don't Disturb my Friend", specifically when the Jamaican steel drums come out to play. The same can be said for "Don't Move".
A lot more frenetic is "Sully Starts to Run", accelerating the rhythm and mayhem even to the point it's too chaotic to appreciate. Enjoying it for a wholly different reason is "Matrix Breaks Lock", mostly because it features an approach that would later return in Aliens. But here it's fresh and totally something different. Sadly that breath lasts only for a minute, because then it's back to the Commando style and the steel drums, the electronic rhythm and the saxophone to name them all. The only exception is the mystical ethnic work in "Arius Crashes Through Window" and the fact we're left without a finale, a climatic action cue.
Truthfully, most of the score is already available in earlier works. The rhythm forming the action sound and the use of all the returning instruments adds nothing new to Commando. The sole exception that makes it a must to hear is a 30 second theme that's never heard again. The chaotic action tracks in the middle and the absence of a thrilling finale somewhat leave the explosive gunpowder behind, something the film totally does the opposite in pure sizzling Schwarzenegger style. Horner fanatics will love it I guess, even if I say you'll not miss anything if you stop after track 6. The remastered edition might be another selling point, but 60 minutes of Commando is 40 too many in my book.
Favorite Moment - Main Title (1.27 - 2.24)
What a glorious little theme, sadly it's never heard again
Track Listing
1. The Trashmen / The Agency (0.46)
2. Main Title (3.45)
3. The Helicopter Arrives (0.55)
4. Run to the Shed and Chase (02:38)
5. Matrix Captured / Jenny Tied Up (1.50)
6. Into the Plane (0.53)
7. Don't Disturb my Friend (3.36)
8. Matrix Hits the Swamp (1.14)
9. Matrix Walks in the Terminal (0.27)
10. Matrix on the Move (0.48)
11. Don't Move (6.30)
12. Sully Starts to Run (4.33)
13. Drive away from Pier (3.41)
14. Matrix Breaks Lock (2.13)
15. Matrix Jumps to Floor (1.40)
16. Cut to Val Verde (1.23)
17. Matrix Climbs up Bank (3.15)
18. Soldier Gets Pitchfork / Matrix Runs up Steps (3.47)
19. Arius Crashes Through Window (3.20)
20. Matrix Approaches General (0.56)
21. Someday, Somehow, Someone's Gotta Pay: The Power Station (4.36)
Bonus Tracks
22. Soldier gets Pitchfork (alternate) (1.29)
23. Don't Disturb my Friend (alternate) (3.21)
24. Don't Disturb my Friend (alternate mix) (3.56)
Total Length: 61.48
So, despite the endless rips here, many will have grown up with Commanda's action style and more specifically sound. The electronic rhythm perfectly reflects John Matrix' big posture and cool invincible look in "Main Title". The shakuhachi and saxophone of course continue their role as they played it in 48 Hrs.. The change in "Main Title" comes from Horner's lovely string theme for daughter Jenny (the young Alyssa Milano), which is a real breath of fresh air. The threat coming from the shakuhachi and the uneasy strings in "Run to the Shed and Chase" heighten an already frenetic action rhythm after that (which gets momentum through the saxophone near the end of this cue). And the opening is furthermore memorable due to the 80's coolness that's alive and kicking in "Don't Disturb my Friend", specifically when the Jamaican steel drums come out to play. The same can be said for "Don't Move".
A lot more frenetic is "Sully Starts to Run", accelerating the rhythm and mayhem even to the point it's too chaotic to appreciate. Enjoying it for a wholly different reason is "Matrix Breaks Lock", mostly because it features an approach that would later return in Aliens. But here it's fresh and totally something different. Sadly that breath lasts only for a minute, because then it's back to the Commando style and the steel drums, the electronic rhythm and the saxophone to name them all. The only exception is the mystical ethnic work in "Arius Crashes Through Window" and the fact we're left without a finale, a climatic action cue.
Truthfully, most of the score is already available in earlier works. The rhythm forming the action sound and the use of all the returning instruments adds nothing new to Commando. The sole exception that makes it a must to hear is a 30 second theme that's never heard again. The chaotic action tracks in the middle and the absence of a thrilling finale somewhat leave the explosive gunpowder behind, something the film totally does the opposite in pure sizzling Schwarzenegger style. Horner fanatics will love it I guess, even if I say you'll not miss anything if you stop after track 6. The remastered edition might be another selling point, but 60 minutes of Commando is 40 too many in my book.
Favorite Moment - Main Title (1.27 - 2.24)
What a glorious little theme, sadly it's never heard again
Track Listing
1. The Trashmen / The Agency (0.46)
2. Main Title (3.45)
3. The Helicopter Arrives (0.55)
4. Run to the Shed and Chase (02:38)
5. Matrix Captured / Jenny Tied Up (1.50)
6. Into the Plane (0.53)
7. Don't Disturb my Friend (3.36)
8. Matrix Hits the Swamp (1.14)
9. Matrix Walks in the Terminal (0.27)
10. Matrix on the Move (0.48)
11. Don't Move (6.30)
12. Sully Starts to Run (4.33)
13. Drive away from Pier (3.41)
14. Matrix Breaks Lock (2.13)
15. Matrix Jumps to Floor (1.40)
16. Cut to Val Verde (1.23)
17. Matrix Climbs up Bank (3.15)
18. Soldier Gets Pitchfork / Matrix Runs up Steps (3.47)
19. Arius Crashes Through Window (3.20)
20. Matrix Approaches General (0.56)
21. Someday, Somehow, Someone's Gotta Pay: The Power Station (4.36)
Bonus Tracks
22. Soldier gets Pitchfork (alternate) (1.29)
23. Don't Disturb my Friend (alternate) (3.21)
24. Don't Disturb my Friend (alternate mix) (3.56)
Total Length: 61.48