A retired elite Black Ops Commando (Arnold Schwarzenegger) launches a one man war against a group of South American criminals who have kidnapped his daughter (Alyssa Milano) to blackmail him into starting a revolution and getting an exiled dictator back into power.
Not long after the film gets going, Arnold picks up a stewardess (Rae Dawn Chong) and her sweet convertible along the way to flying to a remote island (apparently a few miles off the coast of California) for the sole purpose of making people do back flips and dance when shot or hit by grenades. The grenades never seem to kill anyone, but only make them spin in awkward aerial motions. This may be the only film that has more stunt men than actors.
The dark humor of this film is unmatched in an action film, and even Bill Paxton shows up for a while. Music by the critically acclaimed James Horner and 1980s super-group Power Station (Duran Duran with Robert Palmer) never hurts. The action itself has to be a bit of a joke, because it is more than a little over the top.
The romantic angle also seems a stretch, even by Hollywood standards... and the opening montage showing how much Arnold loves his daughter (and she loves him)? Ridiculous. And yet, this is all part of the film's charm and makes it arguably the best Arnold action film (though he has had many winners).
If you like action films starring guys who speak poor English -- highly recommended. Otherwise, rent "The Professional" for a similar theme of father-figure doting on his Lolita-esque daughter-figure, or "Taken" to see Liam Neeson kick terrorist butt to save his daughter.
Not long after the film gets going, Arnold picks up a stewardess (Rae Dawn Chong) and her sweet convertible along the way to flying to a remote island (apparently a few miles off the coast of California) for the sole purpose of making people do back flips and dance when shot or hit by grenades. The grenades never seem to kill anyone, but only make them spin in awkward aerial motions. This may be the only film that has more stunt men than actors.
The dark humor of this film is unmatched in an action film, and even Bill Paxton shows up for a while. Music by the critically acclaimed James Horner and 1980s super-group Power Station (Duran Duran with Robert Palmer) never hurts. The action itself has to be a bit of a joke, because it is more than a little over the top.
The romantic angle also seems a stretch, even by Hollywood standards... and the opening montage showing how much Arnold loves his daughter (and she loves him)? Ridiculous. And yet, this is all part of the film's charm and makes it arguably the best Arnold action film (though he has had many winners).
If you like action films starring guys who speak poor English -- highly recommended. Otherwise, rent "The Professional" for a similar theme of father-figure doting on his Lolita-esque daughter-figure, or "Taken" to see Liam Neeson kick terrorist butt to save his daughter.