Strike Commando Blu-ray Review

Severin Films’ Blu-ray release of Strike Commando is a significant upgrade, boasting an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, derived from a new 2K scan of the original negative. The result is a visually compelling presentation, with a nicely suffused palette and impressive detail levels. From the intricate textures of jungle foliage to the nuances in costuming, the film exhibits a finely tuned balance of primary colors and earth tones. Reds are particularly eye-catching, while black levels maintain depth, ensuring detail is preserved even within shadows.

However, the transfer is not without its flaws. Both the theatrical and extended cuts exhibit occasional downturns in quality. Notable instances include sudden increases in grain field, skewed color timing towards yellows or browns, and isolated instances of print damage—most prominently in the extended version. For example, around the 21-minute mark on a boat sequence, rolling vertical stripes reminiscent of print-through can be observed. These issues do not dramatically detract from the overall experience but are noticeable.

Overall, despite some imperfections, this Blu-ray release provides a strong visual representation of Strike Commando, far surpassing previous VHS and DVD versions. This presentation retains a gratifying mix of fine detail and vivid color, making it a must-have for fans and collectors looking to experience the film at its best.

"Strike Commando" arrives on Blu-ray featuring LPCM 2.0 Mono tracks available in English and Italian. The audio presentation is fairly consistent, though it is a trade-off depending on your preferred language. Explosions and gunfire can sound somewhat hollow and shallow on the English track, whereas the music loses some of its vitality in the Italian track. Both languages suffer from noticeable post-looping issues, with the dialogue track in English being particularly boxy and occasionally nearing distortion.

The LPCM 2.0 mix, while lacking modern audio formats like DTS or Dolby Atmos, does offer decent texture reproduction, especially notable in Luigi Ceccarelli's scoring. The English track gets a slight recommendation due to the majority of the principal cast being native English speakers, and for the Extended Cut, it provides continuity as it includes new scenes without Italian dubs. Optional English subtitles are provided, ensuring that no content is missed regardless of the audio imperfections.

The Blu-ray release of "Strike Commando" comes with a range of insightful and well-crafted bonus features, providing an in-depth view into the film's production and creative processes. The disc includes compelling interviews with key contributors such as Claudio Fragasso, who provides intriguing behind-the-scenes details, despite some language transitions. The interaction with screenwriter Rosella Drudi further highlights the collaborative intricacies involved in the movie, particularly her recount of the directive to draw from a popular war film franchise. The choice between an Extended Cut and a Theatrical Cut of the film allows for differentiated viewing experiences, enhancing the value of the release. Additionally, the disc includes two trailers that round out this comprehensive collection of extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• War Machine: Interview with co-director Claudio Fragasso, covering anecdotes about the production in Italian with English subtitles.
• All Quiet on the Philippine Front: Interview with screenwriter Rosella Drudi, discussing her experience and Mattei’s influences in Italian with English subtitles.
• Strike Commando In Production Trailer: Original promotional material.
• Trailer: Official theatrical trailer.
• Extended Cut: Full extended version of the film.
• Theatrical Cut: Original theatrical version of the film.

"Strike Commando" stands as a quintessential manifestation of Vietnam war action cinema, borrowing heavily from the narrative arcs and themes central to "Rambo: First Blood Part II". The focal character, Sergeant Michael Ransom, convincingly played by Reb Brown, embodies the prototypical 'one-man army' trope. Following a botched mission in North Vietnam orchestrated by the duplicitous Colonel Radek (Christopher Connelly), Ransom is left for dead but is fortuitously rescued by a Vietnamese boy named Lao (Edison Navarro). The interplay between Ransom and the village, which perceives him as their American savior, introduces an emotional sub-layer while grounding the film's chaotic combat scenes in a semblance of human connection.

The plot of "Strike Commando" is marked by a series of vengeance-fueled actions, with Ransom taking on myriad enemies— ranging from North Vietnamese soldiers to Russian mercenaries—often single-handedly. The lack of narrative coherence or logic is overshadowed by the film's relentless pace and explosive set pieces. Mattei’s directorial approach does not shy away from recycling elements from big-budget American military films but repackages them with an unabashedly exploitative flair. The thematic redundancy is augmented by Ransom’s relentless quest for retribution, underscored by the iconic 'triumph' screams that punctuate his killing sprees.

The performances are suitably intense for the genre, with Reb Brown delivering a committed portrayal despite occasionally teetering into unintentional comedy, amplified by his guttural outbursts and exaggerated physicality. The ensemble cast, including veterans like Alex Vitale as Jakoda and Luciano Pigozzi as Le Due, supports the primary narrative while adding depth to the otherwise straightforward storyline. "Strike Commando" manages to hold its ground as a memorable example of ‘Namsploitation’, delivering excessive action sequences and evocative fireballs that proportionately rival better-funded contemporaries.

"Strike Commando" is a quintessential example of the Italian 'Namsploitation genre, echoing but distinctly diverging from "Rambo: First Blood Part II." Directed by Bruno Mattei, this film carries a unique charm rooted in its unabashedly over-the-top narrative and style. The story follows Ransom, a character frenetic in his quest for vengeance, rampaging through a sequence of numerous antagonists—sometimes overwhelmingly so. Despite its budgetary constraints, "Strike Commando" delivers a consistently entertaining ride filled with high-octane action sequences and a pulpy, immersive storyline.

Severin Films’ Blu-ray release of "Strike Commando" boasts robust technical achievements. The visual presentation highlights an impressive level of detail and color fidelity that elevates the viewing experience markedly above previous versions. While the audio track may not reach audiophile standards, it remains serviceable and adequately supports the explosive on-screen action. Accompanying the main feature is a comprehensive set of supplementary materials that deepen the appreciation for fans and collectors alike, including interviews, commentaries, and behind-the-scenes insights that contextualize the production’s historical and cinematic milieu.

In conclusion, "Strike Commando" is obviously a noticeable riff on Rambo territory, but it has its own peculiar charms. The film probably has too many villains for its own good, to the point that it seems like Ransom is going to have to execute the entire population of the earth to attain the vengeance he's seeking. Technical merits are generally solid and the supplementary package enjoyable, for those who are considering a purchase.