Rambo: First Blood Part II vs Commando

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

These were the two biggest action movies of 1985 (and are still among the biggest action movies of all time) and they really kickstarted the professional rivalry between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone for king of action movies. So what does Sherdog prefer?

My personal preference is Commando, but I recognize that I have some bias due to nostalgia as I grew up on Commando, as we had it on tape from when it was on TV once in the late 1980s so as a kid I probably watched it about 3-4 dozen times, while Rambo I’ve probably only seen about 3-4 times.

Rambo obviously takes itself more seriously of the two while Commando has no fucks given over how over the top it allows itself to be. So I think Commando wins it in the “fun” category while Rambo has the edge in terms of story and stakes.

One nice touch from Commando is the not-so subtle jab at Rambo with Matrix’s line “I eat Green Berets for breakfast!” Also, the whole “I lied” bit with Sully is my favourite Arnold one liner of all time, tied with Total Recall’s “see you at the party Richter!”

In terms of female sidekicks Rambo takes this one easily. The airline stewardess sidekick in Commando is insufferably annoying while Rambo’s sidekick is very beautiful imo, while also being more believable in terms of being hardened from living through the horrors of the Vietnam war.

In terms of body count according to Google Arnold wracked up 87 kills in Commando while Rambo had a staggering 115.

So let’s hear it Sherbros! Who you got in this race?

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

People are voting in the poll, but no one’s interested in discussing their thoughts on the matter?

 

[BisexualMMA]

I think the depth of the Rambo character sets it apart from almost every action protagonist of the 80s and 90s. John Matrix is fun but he's just "action guy" same as the heroes in a typical JCVD or Seagal movie or Judge Dredd. Commando is still head and shoulders above those and most other 80s action movies, but I give the edge to the character from First Blood going back into the belly of the beast, having to work against his own superiors to get the job done, etc. At the end John Matrix just kind of had another successful day at the office, while Rambo closes out the movie with the catharsis of destroying his own country's high tech operations command center. There's a bit more to the movie and the character. I think it's an underrated story that kind of gets overlooked because of the muscles and the exploding mountains.

 

[I Fusion I]

Commando is far superior.

It's actually a lot more fun, has good action, Arnie and some fun moments. Also that motel part always makes me laugh because of how rushed it is.

 

[Patrick Jane]

Easily Rambo. Missing in Action is better than both though.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

I wonder what some of our elder statesmen old enough to have seen the movies in theatres in 1985 have to say

@Ottawaguy @sweetviolenturg

 

[evergreenrider]

I always wished John Matrix was my dad when I was younger.

 

[BlankaPresident]

Great as it is, Commando is insanely fun but it's legacy doesn't compare to Rambo II.

Except for action movie fanatics like us, Commando is a minor movie in Arnold's filmography.

Rambo is the quintessential Stallone character, along with Rocky. Rambo shirtless with the red strip of clorh in his head is one of the most iconic personas of the 80s action movies. They even made a cartoon of it ffs.

 

[Adamant]

Commando.

And John Matrix would win against Rambo. Rambo is awesome, but John Matrix is something else. He's gotta be Arnold's most unstoppable character. Even more so than the Terminator. Rambo would put up a savage fight but I feel like in the end Matrix eats him for breakfast.

 

[Proud American]

Both great. But I have to go with Rambo 2.

it was just a huge part of my childhood

 

[FyrFytr998]

This is clearly a case for……..

 

[Osculater]

Commando is cool and but Rambo first blood is mo3 better eh

 

[Based and White Pilled]

Definitely Commando

A friend of mine who is an 80s & 90s action movie expert hosted a Commando viewing party. He periodically paused the movie to ask multiple choice questions that really made the whole experience better. The two questions I remember are "Arnold is about to emerge from the forest. What is he carrying? A. a machine gun, B. a machete, or C. an entire tree" and "You're about to meet one of the bad guys. What kind of shirt is he wearing? A. no shirt, B. a leather jacket, or C. a chainmail vest". Of course the correct answer to every question was the most ridiculous option and I thought it was hilarious.

 

[mmamxfan]

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

I actually watched both movies back to back with my wife about two weeks ago. She hasn’t answered my question as to which one she likes more. I think she probably liked Rambo more but doesn’t want to say it in case she thinks I’ll be upset by her answer as she knows I’m a fanatical Arnold fanboy.

 

[Horus]

I actually watched both movies back to back with my wife about two weeks ago. She hasn’t answered my question as to which one she likes more. I think she probably liked Rambo more but doesn’t want to say it in case she thinks I’ll be upset by her answer as she knows I’m a fanatical Arnold fanboy.

both of those back to back? She probably had a virtual wetlands down below by the end. I look out the window now and can see the birds migrating in your direction

 

[sweetviolenturg]

I wonder what some of our elder statesmen old enough to have seen the movies in theatres in 1985 have to say

@Ottawaguy @sweetviolenturg

Well, I was little more than a toddler but I do recall seeing COMMANDO at the drive-in back in '85.

Actually, I was in my early twenties & I remember enjoying the hell out of it. It may have been on a double bill with the Chuck Norris vehicle SILENT RAGE. But I can't be certain as I was on a date & we didn't pay much attention to the second feature.

As for the RAMBO films, I enjoyed FIRST BLOOD but that's all. The others were all way too over the top for my tastes.

 

[Bushpig]

Commando was great when I was young, it hasnt aged well... Rambo First Blood Pt. 2. 100%

 

[x__stylez__x]

I picked Commando for the drinking game you can play.

Alyssa Milano on screen you drink. Ray Dong Chong on screen you drink twice. For every kill, three drinks, and for every one liner Arnold says, four drinks.

Get’s pretty messy by the end of the movie.

 

[Horus]

Well, I was little more than a toddler but I do recall seeing COMMANDO at the drive-in back in '85.

Actually, I was in my early twenties & I remember enjoying the hell out of it. It may have been on a double bill with the Chuck Norris vehicle SILENT RAGE. But I can't be certain as I was on a date & we didn't pay much attention to the second feature.

As for the RAMBO films, I enjoyed FIRST BLOOD but that's all. The others were all way too over the top for my tastes.

That could have worked, Silent Rage is practically a romance