A middling, non-descript Arnie. Because we all know there are different categories: we have Arnies that are good and funny ironically (Commando, Conan, The Running Man), good and funny unironically (Kindergarten Cop), bad but trying to be funny (Jingle all the Way), and then just straight-up good (Terminator 1 and 2). Eraser completely satisfies nobody because it’s neither good nor a meme.
I swear these 90s action movies are all the same script. How many times have you heard the lines:
“What’s the girl here for?”
“I’ve brought her along as my insurance policy.”
And:
“Are we clear?”
“Crystal.”
Even by 1996 audiences must have been getting a liiiitle bit used to it. And this doesn’t have the commensurate stupid lines to make up for it.
It does have a truly absurd set-piece involving a parachute.
On the plus side, Arnie’s fits are fabulous good-90s, with his long coats and sunglasses. He’s in supreme physical form. Whoever wrote the mobster scenes was taking the piss, and it appealed to me personally.
But this is pre-downfall (in terms of acting career), slightly post-peak. Not that good, but at this stage it hasn’t sunk in yet. We’re convinced the next one is going to be a return to form. He instead decided to be governor.
A middling, non-descript Arnie. Because we all know there are different categories: we have Arnies that are good and funny ironically (Commando, Conan, The Running Man), good and funny unironically (Kindergarten Cop), bad but trying to be funny (Jingle all the Way), and then just straight-up good (Terminator 1 and 2). Eraser completely satisfies nobody because it’s neither good nor a meme.
I swear these 90s action movies are all the same script. How many times have you heard the lines:
“What’s the girl here for?”
“I’ve brought her along as my insurance policy.”
And:
“Are we clear?”
“Crystal.”
Even by 1996 audiences must have been getting a liiiitle bit used to it. And this doesn’t have the commensurate stupid lines to make up for it.
It does have a truly absurd set-piece involving a parachute.
On the plus side, Arnie’s fits are fabulous good-90s, with his long coats and sunglasses. He’s in supreme physical form. Whoever wrote the mobster scenes was taking the piss, and it appealed to me personally.
But this is pre-downfall (in terms of acting career), slightly post-peak. Not that good, but at this stage it hasn’t sunk in yet. We’re convinced the next one is going to be a return to form. He instead decided to be governor.
