Commando: Cheesy, but the Sound Design SLAPS

Okay, so Commando isn't winning any Oscars for acting, let's be real. It's pure 80s cheese, Schwarzenegger at peak action-hero-who-can't-quite-pronounce-English-perfectly. But, and this is a big but, the sound design in this movie is actually pretty damn impressive, considering. Think about the scene where Matrix is gearing up, right? The CLANG of the metal lockers, the SHING as he sharpens his machete...it's all so over-the-top but it kinda works, selling the whole 'unstoppable force' vibe. And the explosions! Good lord, the explosions. They're HUGE. The bass frequencies are cranked up to eleven. It's the kind of sound design that makes you feel the impact, even if the actual visuals are a little…well, dated. I mean, compare it to modern action flicks where everything feels so sterile and CG-ified. Commando might be ridiculous, but at least it sounds real, or at least a convincing version of real. I sometimes wonder if the sound guys knew exactly what kind of film everything else would measure up to and just went ham on their end lol. My theory? The sound design team knew exactly what they were doing. They understood that the visuals and script were...let's say stylized... and they compensated by making the audio as visceral and impactful as possible. They basically elevated the entire movie, even if it's arguably still just a guilty pleasure. Honestly, whenever I watch it, I find myself paying more attention to the audio than the actual plot sometimes. Anyone else feel the same? Tell my I'm not alone in my love for 80s over the top sound design!