The Last Stand: Schwarzenegger’s Triumphant Return
A drug lord, having escaped federal custody en route to his execution, speeds towards the Mexican border in a souped-up car. Little does he know, standing in his path is a war veteran, now the sheriff of a quiet border town, hardened by years of battling drug cartels.
Schwarzenegger has chosen an impeccable, and most importantly, completely unexpected format for his comeback. On one hand, Arnold looks extremely advantageous in an age-appropriate role, combining a veteran’s squint and self-deprecation with his usual bulletproof nature. On the other hand, Korean director Kim Jee-woon maintains an almost perfect balance between irony and inventiveness. Everything here is deliberate: a specific camera angle there, a gun-freak character reminiscent of “The Good, the Bad, the Weird,” and a Korean-style ear shot off, of course.
Constantly juggling genre clichés, the filmmakers have managed to create a film that perfectly resonates with a perhaps not-so-wide, but consistently grateful audience. Biographies and other psychological depth are not required for those who grew up on “Commando” – we already know what the hero did in the past.
The Unmistakable Heroic Aura
But through the jokes and witty remarks, the main thing shines through: Schwarzenegger still exudes that same heroic aura that cannot be faked, whether you’re Statham or “The Rock” Johnson.