American Commandos

Produced in the year 1985, American Commandos is an action-packed war film directed by Bobby A. Suarez. The movie tells the story of a bunch of American soldiers who are sent on a secret mission to Southeast Asia to thwart the smuggling of heroin to the western world. Christopher Mitchum, John Phillip Law, and Franco Guerrero play the lead roles in the movie.

The movie opens with a group of American soldiers being deployed on their mission to Southeast Asia- the backdrop being the Vietnam War. Their mission is to capture a notorious drug lord named Mr. Lee who is responsible for trafficking heroin from the Golden Triangle to the United States. However, things do not go as planned and the team gets ambushed by enemy soldiers. With only a handful of survivors, they are forced to take refuge in an uncharted island. There, they come across a group of native people who have their own conflict with Mr. Lee's men. The natives decide to help the American soldiers in their mission.

The movie is filled with fast-paced action scenes as the soldiers try to navigate their way through dense jungles and battlefields to get to Mr. Lee's stronghold. On the island, they are attacked by Mr. Lee's men, who are much better equipped and trained. But with the help of the native villagers, the American soldiers manage to turn the tide against the drug lord's army. The team is led by Lieutenant Roberts (played by Christopher Mitchum), who is determined to complete the mission at any cost.

One of the standout features of the movie is its portrayal of war as a gritty, prolonged affair. Unlike other action movies of its time, American Commandos takes a realistic approach to depicting war- highlighting the physical and mental toll it takes on soldiers. The movie shows the soldiers plagued by physical injuries, emotional trauma, and constant uncertainty. This raw depiction of war adds depth to the characters and makes their actions all the more meaningful.

The native people that the soldiers encounter on the island are another interesting aspect of the movie. They are depicted as being able to stand up to Mr. Lee's men despite being technologically inferior. This is quite a contrast to how indigenous people were often portrayed in American cinema at the time- as primitive and helpless. These people lend both muscle and heart to the American unit.

The movie excels in its action sequences which are well choreographed and give a thrilling edge to the storyline. The guerrilla warfare-style assaults and jungle survival elements are captured well. The gunfights, chases, and hand-to-hand combats are all executed with remarkable finesse, making for an immersive and exciting watch for viewers.

One of the drawbacks of American Commandos is that the characters are not fleshed out enough. There is very little development beyond the surface level, and this leaves the audience guessing about their backgrounds, motivations, and personalities. However, this is a common trait of war movies that prioritize action over character development.

To conclude, American Commandos is an entertaining movie that is worth watching for action movie buffs. It combines a realistic portrayal of war with well-executed action scenes to create an edge-of-the-seat viewing experience. The performances by the lead actors are commendable, and the depiction of the native people is a refreshing touch. Fans of the genre will surely enjoy this classic film.

In conclusion, American Commandos is a thrilling watch that will provide audiences with an interesting glimpse of America’s involvement in Southeast Asia during the years of the Vietnam War. Christopher Mitchum, John Philip Law, and Franco Guerrero played their parts well, taking viewers on an exciting journey as a team of American soldiers navigate their way through jungles, battlefields, and enemy soldiers to complete their mission. This is an ideal watch for fans of war movies and action thrillers.