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The Commando
The Commando
The Commando
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The Commando
Official release poster
Directed byAsif Akbar
Written byKoji Steven Sakai
Story by
  • Asif Akbar
  • Koji Steven Sakai
  • Al Bravo
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJorge Gomez
Edited byRJ Cooper
Music byMauricio Yazigi
Production
companies
  • Premiere Entertainment
  • ITN Distribution
  • BondIt Media Capital
Distributed bySaban Films
Release date
  • January 7, 2022 (2022-01-07)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Commando is a 2022 American action crime thriller film directed by Asif Akbar and starring Mickey Rourke and Michael Jai White.

It was released in the United States on January 7, 2022, by Saban Films.

Plot

[edit]

A DEA SWAT team, led by elite DEA agent James Baker (Michael Jai White), assaults a Mexican cartel's drug lab. The bad guys are taken out in the ensuing gun fight, but Baker inadvertently kills three hostages, a mother and her two daughters. As a result of PTSD-induced hallucinations, nightmares, and not being able to differentiate between reality and illusion, Baker is sent home to recover.

During this time, one of his daughters makes an unexpected discovery in their home—a stash worth $3 million. It’s revealed that Baker lives, with his wife Lisa (Aris Mejía) and their two teenage daughters, in the house where career criminal Johnny (Mickey Rourke) had hidden the stolen money.

Johnny catches up with an old friend who is now the town’s sheriff, and he offers him a bribe to help him out. The sheriff sends a deputy to Baker’s home to bring Baker to the station. He tells him he has a warrant for his arrest. Baker looks at it, and realizing it hasn't been signed by a judge, he leaves the station.

The Baker family soon faces the danger and threat of the freshly-sprung Johnny, who quickly reunites with his old crew to recover the $3 million of stolen money. Just before his release, Johnny retaliated against three inmates who tried to shank him right before he was freed.

Needing a break, Baker heads off with his wife Lisa for a quiet weekend together, leaving their two daughters home alone. The youngest girl promptly organizes a house party. The oldest daughter stays in her room and also discovers another stash of money under the flooring. Outside, she bumps into her father's friend Sebastian, who has come to check on them; she shows him what she has found and he tells her to hide it again until they speak to her father. He promptly goes downstairs and sends the party guests home.

During the party, Johnny's goons have been observing the activity in and around the house; they have also killed some of the party guests, getting ready to stage a home invasion.

Johnny’s goons invade the house and kill more guests. The oldest daughter sees this and runs upstairs and hides under her bed, where she calls her father; due to poor reception on his phone, he’s unable to make out what she’s saying.

Baker rings Sebastian, who is already dead and Johnny answers; Baker threatens to kill Johnny if either of his daughters is harmed.

The stakes are high in this head-to-head battle as Baker will stop at nothing to protect his family against the money-hungry criminals.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Casting

[edit]

In September 2020, it was announced that Rourke was cast in the film.[2][3] In October 2020, White joined the cast of the film.[4]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography occurred in New Mexico on October and November 2020.[1]

Release

[edit]

On December 7, 2021, Saban Films released a trailer for the film and set it for a January 7, 2022 release.[5]

Reception

[edit]

Rene Rodriguez of Variety gave the film a negative review and wrote, "A talky and lethargic home-invasion thriller, The Commando amounts to an inept crime drama stuffed with banal dialogue and irrelevant supporting characters to pad its feature-length running time."[6]

Leslie Felperin of The Guardian awarded the film one star out of five and wrote, "The Commando contains a number of egregious implausibilities and cliches."[7]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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The Commando

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Commando is a American action thriller film directed by , following a DEA agent suffering from PTSD who returns home after a botched mission and must protect his family from a violent by a recently released and his henchmen searching for millions in hidden money. The screenplay was written by Koji Steven Sakai, based on a story by and Al Bravo, with principal cast including in the lead role as the agent , alongside as the convict Johnny, as a corrupt official, and supporting actors such as Noa Estrella, , and Aris Mejias. The film, rated R for its intense violence and language, runs for 93 minutes and was produced on a modest budget, emphasizing gritty home-invasion action sequences typical of the genre. Released theatrically in limited fashion on January 7, 2022, by Saban Films, The Commando also became available on streaming platforms and DVD shortly thereafter, targeting audiences interested in style thrillers. Despite featuring established actors like Rourke and , the film received mixed-to-negative critical reception, with limited reviews on (4 critics' reviews, all negative, no Tomatometer score) and an 18% audience score, praising its cast but criticizing the script's clichés and pacing. On , it holds a 3.4 out of 10 rating from user votes, reflecting polarized responses to its straightforward plot and action elements.

Synopsis and cast

Plot

The film opens with elite DEA agent James Baker leading a raid on a Mexican cartel's drug lab. In the firefight, Baker accidentally kills three hostages, leaving him with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Haunted by nightmares, he returns home on mandatory leave to reunite with his wife, Lisa, and their two teenage daughters in their suburban house in New Mexico. Unbeknownst to the family, their home was once owned by career criminal , who hid $3 million in stolen cash from a beneath the floorboards fifteen years earlier before his . Recently paroled, reunites with his crew—including henchmen and others—to recover the fortune. One of the daughters, Natalie, discovers packets of the hidden cash and shares it with the family, who begin using some for expenses without James's knowledge. This spending tips off Johnny's crew when traced bills appear in local transactions. While James and Lisa are away for the weekend, their daughters host a party with friends at the house. Johnny's gang launches a brutal during the party, killing several guests and searching for the stash. The daughters hide, and the oldest calls James, who races back. James, initially hindered by a PTSD flashback, overcomes it and uses his training to eliminate the intruders through close-quarters combat and improvised weapons. He protects his family as Lisa returns and the violence spreads through the house, with assistance from his comrade Sebastian. Johnny arrives during the siege, enraged by the resistance. The confrontation escalates into a brutal hand-to-hand fight between James and , where James defeats and neutralizes the remaining threats. With the invaders defeated, James and the family turn the remaining money over to authorities. Battered but alive, the family reconciles as James begins to heal from his trauma.

Cast

Michael Jai White stars as James Baker, an elite DEA agent and the film's who returns home suffering from PTSD after a botched mission. Mickey Rourke portrays Johnny, a ruthless ex-convict and criminal leader who hid $3 million in stolen money before his imprisonment and now seeks to recover it. Jeff Fahey plays Sheriff Alexander, the local sheriff involved in the ensuing conflict. Aris Mejias appears as Lisa Baker, James's wife. Noa Estrella appears as Natalie, one of James Baker's teenage daughters who discovers part of the hidden cash. Brendan Fehr co-stars as Sebastian, Baker's comrade and a key supporting figure in protecting the family.

Production

Development

The story for The Commando was conceived by director and producer Al Bravo in the early 2020s, inspired by thrillers. Bravo's initial concept centered on a tense at a veteran's house, utilizing one or two locations and a small cast to create an intimate, character-driven thriller. This idea evolved during the in 2020, when industry disruptions delayed larger projects and enabled a swift development process for lower-budget productions like this one. The was developed by Koji Steven Sakai, who wrote the first draft in approximately two weeks based on Bravo's treatment, with additional contributions and rewrites from and Bravo to incorporate more action elements and locations while maintaining emotional depth. The pandemic's timing facilitated this quick turnaround, allowing the project to move forward amid widespread production halts. Asif Akbar, a filmmaker since 2006 with a background in character-focused stories, brought his prior experience directing films like Smoke Filled Lungs (2016), which explored PTSD themes similar to those in The Commando, and My Foreign Desh (2008). restrictions further shaped the script by emphasizing isolated, confined settings that aligned with safe filming protocols and heightened the story's tension. The project was backed from inception by production companies including Premiere Entertainment Group, BondIt Media Capital, and Al Bravo Films. The film features and in lead roles.

Casting

The casting process for The Commando began in September 2020, when was announced as the lead antagonist, Johnny, bringing his signature intensity to the role of a hardened criminal. Director selected Rourke for his ability to infuse villainous roles with charisma and dramatic depth, drawing on the actor's prior work in thrillers like and his Oscar-nominated performance in The Wrestler, which demonstrated his capacity for complex, menacing characters. In October 2020, was cast as the protagonist, , a DEA agent grappling with PTSD. Akbar chose White to anchor the film's action sequences, leveraging the actor's extensive background from films such as Black Dynamite and Undisputed II: Last Man Standing, while also tapping into his dramatic range to portray emotional vulnerability. This approach emphasized pairing action prowess with psychological nuance, aligning with Akbar's vision for an elevated thriller beyond standard genre tropes. The presented challenges to the casting process. Supporting roles, such as those filled by as Sheriff Alexander, Noa Estrella as Natalie, and as Sebastian, were selected based on availability and prior collaborations. No major public negotiations were reported for the principal cast, though Akbar noted the rapid assembly was facilitated by producers' swift approvals following script finalization.

Filming

Principal photography for The Commando commenced in October 2020 in , with production wrapping up shortly thereafter. The shoot was completed over just 11 days amid the ongoing , necessitating a compressed schedule to limit exposure risks for the cast and crew. Filming primarily took place in Albuquerque, utilizing limited locations to fit the story's focus on a , including a in the downtown area for the film's tense opening sequence, which was captured in a single day. The low-budget production, estimated at $2.5 million, emphasized efficiency, relying on a single primary set for much of the interior action to control costs and streamline logistics. Pandemic-related delays had pushed back the start from earlier plans, but the team adapted by prioritizing safety measures and collaborative improvisation on set. Director opted for practical effects in the action sequences, particularly the intense fight scenes, where actors like performed their own stunts to heighten authenticity despite the constrained timeline. and shared the screen during the climactic invasion sequences, delivering raw, physical performances that capitalized on the film's intimate, high-stakes setting. These choices not only addressed budget limitations but also contributed to the movie's gritty, unpolished energy.

Release

Marketing and promotion

Saban Films released the official trailer for The Commando on December 7, 2021, highlighting the 's action sequences and starring cast. The promotion was modest, with no reported premieres at film festivals and focus on digital platforms and VOD announcements.

Theatrical and digital release

The Commando was released in the United States on January 7, 2022, by Saban Films in a limited theatrical run alongside simultaneous availability on video-on-demand (VOD) platforms. Internationally, the had limited releases, with distribution primarily through VOD and select theaters. The distribution adopted a hybrid model influenced by the ongoing , emphasizing digital access over wide theatrical distribution, and was made available on platforms such as and from the outset.

Home media

Following its initial digital release on January 7, 2022, The Commando became available for extended (VOD) purchase and rental across multiple platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and at Home. The film later expanded to ad-supported streaming services, appearing on for free viewing and on in select regions as part of ongoing licensing agreements. It also streams on via various channel bundles, such as those integrated with , , and . In the United States, physical home media distribution included a DVD and Blu-ray release on March 8, 2022, handled by Lionsgate Home Entertainment under its Saban Films banner. Internationally, the Blu-ray edition launched in on April 25, 2022, distributed by Scanbox . In Germany, Tiberius issued the Blu-ray on July 8, 2022. These releases supported the film's low-budget, direct-to-digital profile, with no reported special features beyond standard trailers.

Reception

Critical reception

The Commando received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, with aggregate scores reflecting widespread disapproval of its execution as an action thriller. On , the film holds an 18% approval rating based on 18 reviews, indicating a consensus that it fails to deliver on expectations. Similarly, assigns it a score of 0 out of 100 from two reviews, underscoring its critical disdain. Audience reception mirrors this negativity, as evidenced by an IMDb user rating of 3.4 out of 10 from 1,881 votes. Critics frequently lambasted the film's weak dialogue and lethargic pacing, describing it as a "talky and lethargic home-invasion thriller" stuffed with "banal dialogue and irrelevant supporting characters." Plot holes and implausibilities were common points of criticism, with one review calling out "egregious implausibilities and cliches" in its narrative structure. The New York Times deemed it "spectacularly atrocious" and incompetent overall, highlighting issues extending to basic production elements like locations. The cast, including stars like Mickey Rourke and Michael Jai White, was seen as underutilized, with Rourke's villainous turn criticized as hammy and the ensemble hampered by a lackluster script. Amid the backlash, a few reviews offered minor praises for isolated aspects, such as the convincing fight scenes and gore effects, which provided some visceral thrills despite the surrounding flaws. Michael Jai White's performance as the lead was occasionally highlighted as a strong point, bringing intensity to the central role. However, these elements were insufficient to redeem the film's broader narrative and technical shortcomings in the eyes of most reviewers.

Box office performance

The Commando grossed $30,988 worldwide through its limited theatrical release. The earnings were entirely from international markets, including $19,253 from the United Arab Emirates, with no reported domestic box office in the United States. Produced on an estimated budget of $2,500,000, the film underperformed commercially relative to its costs and the involvement of prominent actors such as Mickey Rourke and Michael Jai White. This limited financial outcome occurred during the ongoing in early 2022, when theater attendance remained suppressed, compounded by the film's emphasis on video-on-demand availability in the starting January 7 rather than a broad theatrical distribution.

References

  1. https://www.sabanfilms.com/films/the-commando/
  2. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/753232-the-commando
  3. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_commando
  4. https://www.movieinsider.com/m19874/the-commando
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12689248/
  6. https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/the-commando-review-mickey-rourke-michael-jai-white-1235147896/
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/06/movies/the-commando-review.html
  8. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jan/04/the-commando-review-mickey-rourke
  9. https://www.forbes.com/sites/adawson/2022/01/04/michael-jai-white-tackles-ptsd-mickey-rourke-in-commando/
  10. https://readysteadycut.com/2022/01/08/the-commando-review-a-risible-crime-drama-that-needed-more-action/
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12689248/fullcredits/
  12. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/753232-the-commando/cast
  13. https://bleedingcool.com/movies/the-commando-director-asif-akbar-on-inspiration-behind-film-casting/
  14. https://indiefilmjunction.com/2020/12/10/asif-akbar-on-the-commando/
  15. https://www.finaldraft.com/blog/how-asif-akbar-created-the-commando-with-speed-and-collaboration
  16. https://screenrant.com/the-commando-movie-asif-akbar-interview/
  17. https://deadline.com/2020/09/mickey-rourke-enlists-for-the-commando-1234583163/
  18. https://deadline.com/2020/10/michael-jai-white-joins-mickey-rourkes-the-commando-1234596045/
  19. https://theactionelite.com/asif-akbar-interview-for-the-commando/
  20. https://www.film-news.co.uk/news/UK/79286/Mickey-Rourke-set-to-star-in-The-Commando
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12689248/locations/
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Hy028eDDI
  23. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Commando-The-%282022%29
  24. https://moviesandmania.com/2021/12/10/the-commando-movie-film-action-thriller-2022-overview-trailer/
  25. https://letterboxd.com/film/the-commando/
  26. https://www.amazon.com/Commando-Michael-Jai-White/dp/B09PHTSD8P
  27. https://www.blu-ray.com/digital/The-Commando-Digital/48226/
  28. https://www.paramountmovies.com/movies/the-commando
  29. https://tubitv.com/movies/100004461/the-commando
  30. https://www.netflix.com/title/81565671
  31. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-commando
  32. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Commando-Blu-ray/312661/
  33. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Commando-Blu-ray/314241/
  34. https://www.blu-ray.com/The-Commando/1412110/
  35. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-commando/
  36. https://maactioncinema.com/archives/18083
  37. http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/01/review-commando-2022-starring-mickey.html
  38. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt12689248/
  39. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Commando-The-(2022)
  40. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2022/
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