Strike Commando might be an unabashed rip-off of Rambo but there’s plenty of be entertained by, well at least in how bad it is. This is the kind of movie to make fun off MST3K style although it is tough sitting through alone…
Strike Commando
(1987)
Genre(s): War, Action
Severin| R – 91 min. / 102 min. – $34.99 | June 22, 2021
Date Published: 08/21/2021 | Author: The Movieman
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Severin provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.
THE MOVIE — 2½/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: Sgt. Mike Ransom (REB BROWN) is a one-man war machine on a screaming-for-vengeance mission against brutal Vietcong, merciless Russians, double-crossing U.S. officers and acres of bullet-blasted Philippines jungle. Quick Hit Review: Complete rip-off of Rambo: First Blood Part II, Strike Commando is a 1987 film from Italian maestro Bruno Mattei who was known for these sorts of movies, basically “borrowing” from whatever was popular at the time, in this case action-packed war films. To its credit, this one does have some great good-bad moments and Reb Brown, albeit doesn’t have a whole of on-screen charisma, does his best Stallone impression and some over-the-top acting that was a hoot to watch. On the downside however, there were times where the film does drag, but this is one I would think watching together with friends and family might get a good amount of entertainment value, especially any fans of Rambo. For me, I do have difficulty providing a rating as objectively this was bad, but seeing it for what it is, it’s well worth checking out. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3/5 |
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Not a ton of features, but there are two interviews: War Machine (19:45) with Screenwriter Claudio Fragasso and All Quiet On the Philippine Front (13:11) with Co-Writer Rossella Drudi; an In-Production Promo (2:32) and the Trailer (2:05). |
VIDEO – 4½/5 |
| Strike Commando makes its debut on Blu-ray from Severin Films where it’s presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and given a new 1080p high-definition transfer, taken from a 2K master from the original negative. It’s quite the world where a movie like Strike Commando would not just have a Blu-ray release but one that has been remastered. Although there are some bits of film damage like scratches or specs, for the most part this is a brilliant looking picture. Detail for the most part is sharp losing some elements with the more distant shots. Colors are bright and vibrant but in keeping with the 1980s period. |
AUDIO – 3¾/5 |
| The disc includes a PCM 2.0 track. Dialogue comes across with good clarity and the action sequences, while not exactly mind-blowing, at least on the ears, but for a movie of this age and budget, it wasn’t half bad. |
OVERALL – 2¾/5 |
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Strike Commando might be an unabashed rip-off of Rambo but there’s plenty of be entertained by, well at least in how bad it is. This is the kind of movie to make fun off MST3K style although it is tough sitting through alone… The Blu-ray release does at least have solid video and audio transfers and a couple interviews. |
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.