There was a time when the name Arnold Schwarzenegger meant blockbuster at the theaters. With age comes a true humbling as "Ahhhhnuld" has been hit and miss the last few years. Playing Fireman Gordy Brewer, The terminator takes on terrorists in a role that was delayed because of last year's terrorist attacks.
It was finally released this February and was met with very lukewarm box office results. It's a shame because the story is well told and Arnold shows emotion that he sometimes lacks in his roles. The movie also has a nice ending that caught me off guard.
Setting up the plot are South American terrorists who are angry about American interference with their ongoing Civil War. An attack on Los Angeles at the Columbian consolate seems to be thier choice of attack. A car bomb left by an apparant police officer, who is really Claudio "The Wolf" Perrini, is the plan. In the ensuing chaos several people are killed including innocent bystanders Gordy's wife and son. Gordy not only loses them, he witnesses the entire thing, including the police officer who smiles at him right before the bomb goes off. Gordy even has a conversation with "The Wolf" unknowingly.
Gordy holds trust in his government that they will find the men responsible until several weeks go by with no progress. Someone on the inside tells Gordy "You can't take the law into your own hands!" only fueling his fire. Gordy being a fireman knows many ex-soldiers and finds one who is an expert on South America. Gordy convinces him to teach him all he knows about blending in with the culture down there. Now Gordy has a plan set in motion to avenge the death of his family and bring these terrorists down.
Sounds a bit too much like some kind of fantasy right? Rambo comes to mind? It's not and that's what I like about the role. There's far less Arnold kicking ass, as there is Arnold using his mind. Sure Arnold does have some nifty action sequences but this movie stays more true to something that a desparate man with nothing else to lose could truly pull off.
The movie's pacing is a bit rough, with several scenes lingering a bit too long. The overall length of the movie is fine but the sequencing is just a bit rough. The supporting cast including John Leguizamo in a short but well timed comic relief role, all contribute to a stellar casting job.
This isn't Arnold's best movie by a longshot. However this is more back in the direction of those classics he's made. As for action, I can safely say this is as good a True Lies or The Sixth Day.
The Disc:
Warner Brothers probably knew this movie was pretty much going to be a difficult one when 911 happened. The disc reflects a tribute of sorts to that tragic event with director Andrew Davis and his crew talking in video interviews about terrorists and how they approached this theme with The Wolf. One of the toughests marketing aspects here is that the movie does show a side to the terrorists which do not justify his actions but gives some background as to how he became someone evil.
The other extras include some very interesting comments strung together from Arnold about real life terrorism. Arnold more than most citizens born here knows how wonderful a place America is and you can tell he realizes this from his comments.
The movie's sound for an action flick did seem to be lacking. While the directional use was fine, I still do not understand WB's lack of DTS in the type of films that could most benefit from them. However a few scenes did convey the feeling of a movie theater.
bottom line:
Collateral Damage is an enjoyable film that plays better the first time through than multiple times, if only because of the element of surprise. Arnold shows a side he tried to convey in other films like Twins but was unable to do. Definitely a collectors item for true Arnold fans and worth a viewing for all others.
By - Brian Gray
1/2
