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Collateral Damage

Collateral Damage

List Price: $14.96
Your Price: $9.08
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: No surprises, but fun anyway
Review: Okay, this is one those flicks that got pushed off because of 9-11, though it's actually so underwhelming, you come off wondering whether those execs should have just thrown caution to the winds and released it anyway (they could always blame when it flopped). Actually "damage" is so fear of risk, it's incredible to think that they sold it to Schwarzennagar (did I spell that right?). Our hero plays Gordon Brewer, a fireman whose son and wife are killed by a terrorist blast left by a Colombian guerilla known as "El Lobo" ("The Wolf", not "The Sheriff"). His wife and kid weren't the targets of the blast - just unfortunate but hardly unexpected "collateral damage". A firefighter by training, Brewer turns vengeance-minded assassin, determined to get into civil-war-torn Colombia, penetrate a huge province held by the Guerrillas, and take-out El Lobo himself. A novice, the script allows for Gordon to make mistakes that quickly alert both El Lobo and a CIA-backed army to his presence in Columbia. The script also fleshes out an irony that makes Brewer more valuable alive than dead to the guerrillas (who will ransom him once they inevitably capture him) and more priceless as a corpse to the Yancqui (another gringo corpse will remind American leaders that you can't negotiate with terrorists). Otherwise, the flick is pretty much a disappointment - it's not visually exciting, there are no incredible stunts or scenes, and no memorable catch-phrases (a scene in which Brewer, in chains, meets El Lobo face-to-face for the first time only reminds us of a much better scene in "True Lies"). There's a self-serving CIA officer played by Elias Koteas who would have been great either as a guy who was Brewer's reluctant sidekick or a guy we knew would easily sacrifice him (instead, the character just remains two-steps behind; there's a great exchange between the two shortly near the end of the movie, but it only hints at how much more fun it could have been). In the end, Koteas's character is one more the script purposelessly wastes (along with Johns Leguizamo and Turtorro). The Wolf himself is no fun - he's young and undefined. Supposedly they added some substance to his character to humanize him, but he's neither much entertaining nor believable as a bad-guy or a misunderstood revolutionary. The story is a miracle considering how nonsensical it is (Gordon plans his insertion into guerilla-held territory, but his plans on how he's going to off the terrorist (considering he's got no idea where he is or how well protected he is) are incredible. Either way, it's a botch, but one that's fun enough to sit through.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Another good action flick from the king of action
Review: At 55, Arnold Schwarzeneggar is still an icon in the action movie business. He is to action movies as water is to instant cake mix: just add Arnold. In every movie he stars in, he is given an excuse to explode, destroy, and kill as many bad guys as possible. After 20 years, his signature formula still works. Collateral Damage was originall supposed to be released in October of 2001 (in theaters), but terrorism themes in the movie led to its postponement, due to the September 11 attacks. This movie isn't great, but because of Arnold, it's worth my time.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Arnie rides again...into familiar territory
Review: Arnold Schwarzenegger plays an LA firefighter who watches his wife and young son get killed by a terrorist bomb, and he swears revenge against the man who murdered his family. This more than routine revenge thriller showcases Arnold getting back into his action film groove after terrible flops like End of Days and Batman & Robin, and the action scenes are standard fare, but Arnold and the rest of the cast (including John Turturo, John Leguizamo, Elias Koteas, Cliff Curtis, and Francesca Neri) elevate Collateral Damage to be a much better film than it is. All in all, Collateral Damage certainly isn't Schwarzenegger's best film, but it's far from his worst.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Schwarzenegger at it's best again and against terrorism...
Review: This is an outstanding action movie that was due out over a year ago but because of 9/11, it was delayed. Was it worth the wait, you betcha!!! This movie has suspense, plot, interesting characters and enough action to satify the diehard fans of Arnold. The villian is very sinister as he killed his wife and kid. One should know to never do that to his family, or they shall pay dearly at the hands of this superhero. You got to watch the snake scene and the scene where Arnold does the Mike Tyson routine, which i watch over and over again. This is how you do it Mike. The visual landscape of Columbia is remarkable and very realistic. Can one survive after falling from the top of a waterfall? I wouldn't want to find out.

The movie was directed by Andrew Davis, who also directed 'The Fugitive' starring Harrison Ford. He knows how to direct action/suspense movies to a tee, but i'm kinda wondering why there are so many great deleted scenes that was left out. Maybe it was too long which is why you should rent the DVD version to see those scenes too. There is a reason why both Ebert & Roeper gave this movie 'Two Thumbs Up!'. Once you see it, you will know why. Highly recommended watching for fans of Arnold, who is at his best again.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Standard Arnold...
Review: Yet another mindless action movie for superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger. The action this time is a little less exciting, but there is enough here to please his fans. Schwarzenegger plays a fireman whose family is killed by terrorists. Now he's out for revenge. Pretty standard plot for the dumb action genre. The problem here is the failure to produce any new twists into the formula. What the movie needs is a little more action and a little less story.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Justice!!!
Review: Firefighter Gordon Brewer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is about to meet his wife and daughter at a restaurant on a sunny afternoon when a bomb explodes in close vicinity of his family. Gordon loses his family and a Colombian terrorist nicknamed "The Wolf" takes responsibility for the bombing. The official investigation is suddenly being stopped by diplomatic action taken by both the Colombian and US government, and Gordon's last sanctioned wish to bring "The Wolf" to justice is halted. Gordon decides to take action and see to that he can provide justice for the terrorist who killed his family. Collateral Damage is an ordinary action film that tells a heroic tale about a mans struggle for justice.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: arnold lost most hair i turned it off sooo bad
Review: wow so bad it hurts
i mean baddddddddddddddddddddd
arnold looks like he just got outa heart surgery
lou ferrigno looks a lot better at this age
wow plot really out there
fireman goes into jungle
then u got the guy from the pest as a bad guy lol
first dvd ive ever turned off

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Still doin’ some “Damage"...
Review: Suffering from a major case of bad timing, Collateral Damage, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action adventure film, was set to be released, when 911 occurred. Due to certain plot similarities that somewhat reflected real life events, the film’s producers delayed its release. When the film finally appeared in theaters, it swiftly slid into oblivion.

While this film never had a fair shot in its theatrical release, there are some reasons to give it chance in the home video market. It presents a slightly different view of Arnold, from what we have seen in the past. This time he is fireman, Gordon Brewer, whose wife and child are killed, in a terrorist strike against the Columbian embassy in Los Angeles. They are part of the “collateral damage”. It is a bit of a switch to see Schwarzenegger in shock, mourning the loss of his loved ones. But soon, he is back on familiar ground, sneaking into Columbia, set on killing the terrorist responsible for the explosion.

Th film has an interesting cast. Versatile actor Cliff Curtis, from New Zealand, plays the terrorist leader Claudio Perrini, nicknamed “El Lobo” (the Wolf). He has been seen in many recent films, including “Training Day”, “Blow” and “Three Kings”, in various ethnic roles. Here again, he is very good. Despite playing an utterly ruthless man, he somehow does not inspire intense feelings of hate. His unique method for dealing with incompetence, involving a snake, is not for the squeamish. The Wolf is at home in the jungles of Columbia, and in the streets of an American city. A most dangerous man.

Italian actress, Francesca Neri, plays Perrini’s wife, Selena. Her presence, along with her son Mauro, serve as reminders to Brewer, of the family he has lost. Selena makes several critical moral choices, that shows her determination to do what she feels she must. Brief, but noteworthy performances, are turned in by two others. John Leguizamo plays a loudmouthed heroin grower, who has dreams of a musical career. And John Turturro, steals the few scenes he appears in, as a jumpy, hustler type, mechanic.

The action scenes in Columbia, while sprinkling in some elements of reality, are mostly standard Hollywood productions. There is no mistaking this for John Sayles’, “Men With Guns”. Plenty of gunplay and explosions all around, as Brewer finds he has “bitten off” more than he can chew, taking on the guerillas in their home grounds. Arnold’s computer graphic assisted ride through the rapids, and falls of a river is a quick thrill. Schwarzenegger should stand out among the natives, but he almost never seems the object of attention or curiosity. When the Wolf leaves Columbia, to launch another terrorist attack, this time in Washington D.C., the scene returns to America for the finale.

There are a few twists and turns, with deception and duplicity on all sides. The finish is standard Hollywood fiction, and full of excess and implausibility. Collateral Damage is a change of pace for Schwarzenegger, but perhaps not as significant as the producers claim. The action is solid, with some creative special effects. The performances, by the principal cast, are enjoyable for the most part. And we almost reach the end, before Arnold delivers some one liners. Gramme Revell's score adds positively to the mix. The DVD features a standard making of featurette, as well as an informative, low key commentary by Director Andrew Davis. Like all of us, Arnold is getting older, but he is still a capable action hero.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: GREAT MOVIE!!
Review: I think this is a top notch movie because Andrew Davis (the fugitive) did a great job directing this movie. He made Arnold's acting shine in this film, I was very impressed. The action was great, along with the great question like theme of the movie which is "what is justice?". The ending has such a great twist at the end, it blew me away...

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Bad casting, worse cutting
Review: While it's true this film was compromised by world events, they can't be blamed for its fundamental deficiencies. Schwarzenegger's casting as Gordon Brewer is absurd. Of all Hollywood's middle-aged openers, he's the worst choice for the role. It specifically requires a man who is NOT a large-than-life, gun-toting action hero. This story would be gripping if it was about a Joe Average going after terrorists - Jeff Bridges, Kurt Russell, Harrison Ford, Michael Douglas, Mel Gibson or even Tim Robbins could have capably played the part. But with big Arnie at the helm, we're left wondering why he didn't pack one of those guns from "Predator" and why he isn't doing more. Secondly, the deleted scenes on the DVD show that plenty of good material has been excised: material that not only improves the storytelling but lends it a realistic moral ambiguity. As released, the film leaves you in no doubt that the Colombians are evil and the Americans are saints. But as written and shot, the case wasn't quite so clear. Presumably the cuts were made in response to audience previews or executive nerves. A braver studio might have bitten the bullet and released it as it stood, but who am I to argue with Warner Bros? It wasn't my money they were gambling with. And after all, that's what it's all about, right? Heaven forbid that a film might actually help us UNDERSTAND terrorism rather than just exploit it for disposable summer entertainment. Thankfully, a few movies pitching more insightful views of terror and/or America's international interests such as "Three Kings", "The Siege" and "Arlington Road" snuck under the radar well before September 11 and are still available in uncorrupted form. Treasure them because, from now on, the loss of balanced storytelling in this genre is just going to be so much collateral damage.


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