The never-ending stream of Hollywood unoriginality continues today with alarming news that studio 20th Century Fox are reported to be prepping a remake of the classic 80s actioner Commando, which of course starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as the ultimate one man army, Colonel John Matrix.
David Ayer is signed to write and direct the remake and while he certainly has the pedigree – his CV includes screenwriting duties on Training Day (2001), S.W.A.T. (2003) and Harsh Times (2005), which he also helmed – one has to question the sensibility in such a move. Why not just use the basic plot – ex-special forces machine’s daughter get’s kidnapped, shit hits the fan big time – and inject a trickle of creativity? Surely the title doesn’t hold that much name recognition with the general movie-going public, while fans of the original are bound to boycott this like the plague.
I know I will.
And is there really anyone out there who could pull off a convincing Matrix? If it’s Channing Tatum we riot. As Matrix himself would say, “bullshit!”
Forget about this travesty and read my thoughts on the original here.
Originally published April 29, 2010. Updated April 10, 2018.
