1985: A Year of Aggressive Action Cinema
The year 1985 was marked by a wave of nostalgia in American cinema, with popular films like "Back to the Future," "Rambo: First Blood Part II," and "Rocky IV" celebrating American exceptionalism and conservative values. Action films of the time were characterized by ultra-masculine heroes with bulging muscles and a penchant for violence. These heroes often resorted to extreme measures to defeat their enemies, making 1985 a particularly aggressive year for cinema.
Despite their lack of critical acclaim, the action films of 1985 were known for their over-the-top and entertaining nature. Films like "Commando," directed by Mark L. Lester, featured morally ambiguous characters like John Matrix, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who used extreme violence to avenge his daughter's kidnapping. The film's relentless action and Schwarzenegger's iconic one-liners made it a standout in the genre.
Sequels are often a risky endeavor in filmmaking, but Michael Winner's "Death Wish 3" managed to shake up the formula by relocating the vigilante Paul Kersey to a larger-than-life version of Los Angeles. Produced by Cannon Films, known for their low-budget, high-violence productions, "Death Wish 3" offered a gritty and action-packed take on the vigilante genre, with memorable cameos adding to the film's appeal.
On the other end of the spectrum is Robert Clouse's "Gymkata," a martial arts film that borders on absurdity. Starring Olympic gymnast Kurt Thomas as Jonathan Cabot, the film introduces a new martial art that combines gymnastics with combat. While the plot is thin, the film's set pieces showcase Thomas's athletic abilities in unconventional fight scenes, making it a cult favorite among fans of so-bad-it's-good cinema.
In conclusion, the action films of 1985 may not have been cinematic masterpieces, but they captured the spirit of the era with their exaggerated violence and larger-than-life characters. From the morally ambiguous hero of "Commando" to the over-the-top action of "Death Wish 3" and the absurdity of "Gymkata," these films remain a testament to the unapologetically entertaining nature of 1980s action cinema.