Rating: 
Summary: Highly Underrated
Review: First, let me say that I am a huge Schwarzenegger fan, so that helps the score. If anyone else other than Arnold was doing the role of Gordy in this movie, I wouldn't rank the film that high. The DVD contains some extra features, all are fun to look at and is interesting. The film is very good. Many may not like it, but I do. Arnold plays as a fireman the loves his family, and loses them to terrorists. Arnold plays as an action star in a different way, and I think that most don't expect this from Arnold and don't rank this movie so high. You can easily put yourself into Arnold's shoes in this movie, and see how victims of terrorist attacks truly feel. You see Arnold come home and sit down very depressed as he lost what is most important to him, reporters call him wanting the story(they sound ever so excited to get it from him too) while you see Arnold angry and not wanting the calls. Eventually, you see him go and take matters into his own hands, because the government wont. This is where business picks up. While the movie is not up to standard in most of Arnold's films, it still contains more story, suspense, twists, and wonderful acting. Many can also relate to this by recent terrorist attacks in the U.S. i.e. the 9/11 attacks, or the sniper attacks. It is worth viewing, and should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: "Collateral Damage" is escapist entertainment at its best
Review: Arnold Schwarzenegger's newest movie will not win any Academy Awards. "Collateral Damage" deals with terrorism, perhaps the greatest threat of the 21st Century in a somewhat clumsy and unconvincing manner. It does little to provide the audience with a better understanding of this phenomenon. Arnold portrays a Los Angeles fireman seeking revenge for a bombing that kills his wife and son. They were not intentionally targeted, but simply in the right place at the wrong time. Needless to add, this explains the choice of the movie's title. Arnold sneaks into Columbia and searches for the killers. The film even ignores the far more numerous militant Islamism terrorists, and instead focuses upon the virtually outdated Communist menace. These are folks who are unaware that the Cold War is over. The enormously talented John Turturro and John Leguizamo have brief but riveting scenes that add greatly to the story line.Does this mean that I didn't like this film? Nope, I truly enjoyed "Collateral Damage." I knew what I was getting into, and didn't pretend that it would be anything else. This film earns five stars, and not just four, simply for the reason that it splendidly does what it promises. "Collateral Damage" is not a pretentious film and sticks with a proven formula. That's good enough for me, and it should also work for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty dumb movie
Review: There are maybe 5 minutes of this movie that is ok. the rest of it is terrible.
Rating: 
Summary: It was action movie weekend at our house...
Review:
and I needed to get through 2 Bruce Willis flicks (see prior reviews) and one by Arnold Schwarzenegger. I was prepared for the "Arnold" movie, ("Collateral Damage") to be terrible, since it was panned by moviegoers and critics alike. Amazingly, I thought it was a very good movie...oh, it wasn't "True Lies", by any stretch of the imagination, and Arnold may never have another movie nearly as good. He's a little long in the tooth for action heroes and here he's cast, believably, as a fireman who cannot let politics and our nation's uneasy relationship with Colombia intervene to stop him from revenge. He's met a Colombian killer....just before the man blew up a NYC building, killing Arnold's (Gordy Brewer in the film) wife and child. Andrew Davis, the director, spins a good yarn, and the cast, beyond Arnold, is convincing, with excellent actors playing the guerrilla leader, his wife, and his adopted child. John Turturro, John Leguizamo and Joe Spano, all gifted actors, are given too few lines...but this is all about Gordy and his quest.
His ability to succeed, given his everyman status, is a little farfetched, but you are drawn into the tale as the action switches from NYC to Colombia, and back to Washington. The director does a good job of highlighting Gordy's essential belief in humanity. Arnold has come a long way in being able to reflect this on film, and not just be a tough guy or a comedian (both of which he does well!)as he finds himself fighting for his life. Violence comes through both from the guerillas, and from the CIA, once again portrayed as bitchy and bumbling. (What is the real CIA like, I wonder?). There are some pretty good features on the DVD, and the sound and camera are both laudable...overall, this was a 3 star film, made a 4 star film by the surprising and exciting plot twist at the end. Much better than the "End of Days" or "The 6th Day", "Collateral Damage" is definitely worth a showing!
Rating:
Summary: A Thriller With an Explosive Jump to It!
Review: COLLATERAL DAMAGE (R= Violence and Brief Language), CASTING Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cliff Curtis, Elias Koteas, John Leguizamo, Francesca Neri. DIRECTED BY: Andrew Davis. Warner Bros. Pictures/David Foster Productions. FEBRUARY 8, 2002. Review By: Peter Travers, Rolling Stone. (*** 1/2 of 4) Quick note before I begin my review; I know normally I do my post reviews for Rolling Stone Magazine, but we are beginning a new internet website for the new year which should be up in about a month. For the people who rely on my critic film reviews over the net, I've decided to post them at Amazon.com for the time being. COLLATERAL DAMAGE (2002, ***1/2) In the past we've known Arnold Schwarzenegger to be the ultimate action hero, whether he's a terminating cyborg, a ruthless predator slayer, every kid's favorite adventure celebrity, or even an on-the-edge-cop who is ready to put up a fight with Satan. His 80's films made him a star, and his late 90's films began to tear him apart, with Jingle All the Way, Batman and Robin, End of Days, and 2000's The Sixth Day. His characters seemed to go south for the winter. In his latest return, he's finally getting himself back on track, and I think it for three reasons, and three alone. 1). Andrew Davis, who gave Harrison Ford a comeback in the four-star hit THE FUGITIVE, has also given ARNOLD that character of potential, in this case a man who's family is killed in a terrorist bombing, which is now a character we can all seem to relate to (which brings me to my next point). 2). Of course it is 9/11. This film wouldn't have impacted me, and Arnold's acting wouldn't have seemed so realistic and phisically poetic hadn't the event occured. It gives us all a lingering depression deep down inside, and when ARNOLD's tears flow like the Mississippi River up on that screen because of his heart breaking loss, you seem to want to cry with him. 3). And finally, it is ARNOLD's performance. His new character, Gordon Brewer, a fireman (quite a heroic character) is so extravagant. ARNOLD has come a long way in finding the real art of film. Not once does he pick up a gun and blow everyone to hell like usual. The writers and director of the film knew that a skilled firefighter is skilled at putting out fires, saving people's lives, setting traps and taking high velocity risks to save everyone before themselves. Gordy isn't a man who can pick up an Assault Rifle and take out an army of terrorists. This film has intelligence, and a lot of it shows through SCHWARZENEGGER's performance. Collateral damage is something it seems everyone's heard of today. So many people were caught in it on Sept. 11. For those of you who are still unfamiliar, it is the killing of innocent civilians who are caught in death's path when another enemy is targeted for assassination/murder (in this case a terrorist bombing). In this thriller-drama, it is SCHWARZENEGGER's wife and son who are killed. After justice isn't served towards the terrorist leaders led by "The Wolf" (Cliff Curtis), Gordon Brewer takes the law in HIS hands, and decides to make justice his own deliverance. Through the action-turbulated jungles, 100 foot water falls, and up against Columbian terrorists, Gordy struggles to end the wrong, and pay pack the enemies for what they took from him. The lead villain (Cliff Curtis) also makes his mark into the books. His performance excells to go a tad beyond the bad-guy action roles the SCHWARZENEGGER films have been overpopulated with. JOHN LEGUIZAMO also packs a lot of humor and lightness to this dark and dramatic thriller. "Hannibal's" FRANCESCA NERI makes a stunning portrayal as ARNOLD's ally, who happens to be the terrorist's wife. It is considerable that this film may be the complete opposite of what we want after Sept. 11th. "REVENGE", even though it is wrong, it seems to demanded. Look at our country and Afghanistan. Everyone wants a piece of bin Laden now more than ever before. Greatfully, this film doesn't deal with Afghanistan and its brotherly countries. Brutallity is war- war is brutallity. You can't get by that obstacle. When one army takes a shot, the opposing army takes a shot. In the case of COLLATERAL DAMAGE, Gordy is his own army against many. He wants to win his own war on terrorism. That's the way I was looking at it throughout. Warner Bros. was right about postponing COLLATERAL DAMAGE's October 5th, 2001 release. The film would've been appalling and insensitive at that time. But now we look at it through new eyes, and realize that a lot of the everyday movie stuff and TV/Show Biz really occurs. There are many tremendous action scenes to feast on (Featuring incredible stunts and visual effects), very dramatic performances and extremely intelligent crafting and skill to COLLATERAL DAMAGE. Never once did I have to close my eyes, nor become upset with some of the realistic material. It was a very emotional film that I felt comforted with. Many females in the audience cried when ARNOLD cried. Maybe we can all take a little dramatic thought from this film, and realize that the firemen and soldiers, and regular people of today are helping shape the society. Everyone can put a helping hand forth, and give a stranger a kind "Hello" when you pass by them. Remember that there are many people who's families have been torn apart and mutilated because of a foreign group's obcession with violence and madness to create problem solving. Give them sincere respect and remember to show love to everyone. As you see ARNOLD running through the woods in this film, remember that there are many innocent people who'd be running out for justice if they could too. Enjoy COLLATERAL DAMAGE, because it is an adventure-action spectacle that is sure to be enjoyed and remembered as one of ARNOLD's best films. Finally ARNOLD is back in top form.
Rating: 
Summary: you get exactly what you expect with this one
Review: A film by Andrew Davis "Collateral Damage" was originally supposed to be released in September or October of 2001. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a movie about terrorism on US soil would be seen as insensitive and inappropriate, but it would also have been a bad business decision. It seemed that this movie was marred by the taint of association. It was also marred by the fact that it was a fairly ordinary movie. Gordy Brewer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a New York City firefighter. His wife and son are killed in a terrorist attack and Brewer just happened to get a look at the man believed to be the terrorist. The terrorist who pulled off the attack is a Columbian known only as The Wolf (Cliff Curtis). The Wolf's agenda has to do with getting the Americans (and their interests) out of his country. Unfortunately, other than agent Peter Brandt (Elias Koteas), the intended target of the attack, nobody in the government is willing to pursue the Wolf in his own country. In fact, Brandt is being pulled off the case and reassigned. Brewer decides to take matters into his own hands and finds a way into Columbia and starts to track down The Wolf. Have you seen Arnold's other action movies? Are you a fan of the genre? If so, you know exactly how this movie will play out. If you like these kind of movies, you'll like this one. "Collateral Damage" has its moments, and when Arnold actually gets to Columbia, the movie is at its most interesting (despite being at its most implausible). This is simply an average movie. It's not particularly awful, but neither is it very good.
Rating:
Summary: Arnold Opens A Six-Pack of Whup-@$$!
Review: I've been looking forward to Collateral Damage since its original release was pushed back by the tragic events of September 11th. (I still think that this film would have provided a GREAT cathartic release for audiences, but that's just me...) Arnold plays a firefighter whose Wife and young Son are killed in a Terrorist bombing, carried out by the Columbian Guerilla known as "The Wolf". Arnold dedicates his life to non-violent resistance, and eventually brings about the peaceful surrender of The Wolf, and restores peace and tranquility to Columbia. Or maybe not.... You know what happens after his Family is killed. Arnie goes into action, bringing the fight to Columbia, and lots of people die and get "blowed up". He even manages to do his Mike Tyson impression. (You'll get it when you see the movie...) The action sequences are competently handled by Director Andrew Davis, of The Fugitive, and I can't help but think that if this Movie starred Harrison Ford, the critics would be calling it a masterpiece. Poor Arnold can't get no respect...He does deliver a good performance, and the absence of witty quips is appropriate, considering his grief. There are some strong supporting performances by John Turturro and John Leguizamo, both of who are gone WAY too fast, and by Cliff Curtis and Francesca Neri, as The Wolf and his Wife. (The Wolfette? :))It's also nice to see Miguel Sandoval playing a good guy. The movie also offers a great twist at the end that turns the whole story upside-down. Action fans , or people who just wanna see a terrorist get his butt whipped, will be pleased.
Rating:
Summary: SMOKE SCREEN
Review: Arnold Schwarzenegger is starting to show his age, as evidenced in this below average Arnie film. In an attempt to rely more on his thespian abilities than his massive brawn, Arnold plays a fireman who loses his wife and son in a terrorist bomb attack. The range of emotions he is required to exhibit demonstrate the Austrian's limitations. Granted, he's a much better actor than he was years ago, but he cannot truly convince us that he is the character he plays. Of the supporting cast, only Elias Koteas as the CIA rogue, displays any true acting abilities. Francesa Neri as the Wolf's wife comes close, but she telegraphs a key plot twist early on. Cliff Curtis as the Wolf is stock nasty hero and the movie's message that terrorism vs. terrorism tactics is not the humane thing. There are a couple of nasty scenes involving a snake and Arnold's mandibular strength. The movie slows down somewhat in the Colombian sequence, but the climax in DC is appropriately tense and exciting. Certainly not one of Arnold's best, but somewhat entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: It's sappy, it's crappy, it's all over the mappy
Review: Someone decided that Arnie can't rely on his muscles alone (the man's pushing 50, for crying out loud) and made this movie. It is supposed to show off his acting skills. Arnie gets to cry, rage silently, bicker with sleezeballs, and Do the Right Thing (tm). All the while, he is a fireman out for revenge against a random terrorist act that obliterated his family. Arnold's character is part McGuyver, part brawny fireman, part Punisher. He travels to Colombia on his own, surviving against all odds and his obviously foreign accent to...well to kill people. Only he learns that there are losses on both sides of any conflict. And he trades revenge in for the opportunity to save a little boy. This movie stops just short of Arnie singing, "All we are saaaaying is give peace a chance" while holding two babies of different ethnicities in his arms. It's sappy, it's crappy, it's all over the mappy. Okay, so I couldn't come up with an "appy" word. Point is, this is a mediocre film that would have been utterly ignored if it hadn't been for September 11. The director's commentary pumps up this movie to be of vital importance to American culture when in reality, it's a castoff of the cinema world. In the end, Arnie takes on the bad guys with a fireman's axe. 'Cause he's a fireman. And stuff. And oh yeah, there's a twist ending as to who the villain is. Yawn.
Rating:
Summary: bogus
Review: As a previous fan of Arnold as a foreign man tetermined to make it big in the US, i must say i am disappointed that he even made this film. regardless of the acting or cinematic value of this movie, i dislike it solely because of its lack of understanding of subject value. The Colombian rebel forces began in the 60s as not a group of bloodthirsty cocaine dealers, but a group in search of economic and social equality, much like the black panthers, in a country with a history of corrupt and oppresive government. this film, as i very much expected, was a depiction of the guerillas as evil and faschist and the colombian government as good. sadly, as a colombian, i can say taht the government is nothing like the well run democracy in the US. so as i saw the movie progress, i saw taht the main idea regarding "el lobo" (comical name in my opinion) was that he, a bloodthirsty barbarian hater of americans, was after innocent civilians in america. I can say with much certainty as one who has lost frineds and family to both teh corrupt colombian national military as well as the out of control guerrila forces, taht this movie failed to portray that the victims in colombia were not the government, but rather the civilians who do not support the government or the guerrillas and are struggling to make a living in one of the poorest, most crime-consumed countries in the world. the word terrorist, with its present-day meaning of bloodthirsty anti-american, cannot be applied to the movement that began under the oppression of corrupt elite citizens and has gone to extremes to achieve its badly oriented goals. Sadly, Arnold, I denounce you and every other actor in this movie, for failing to understand the conflict that has cost my friends and family their lives. your stereotypical view of colombia is just about the equivalent of saying L.A. gangs are terrorists who have one goal: killing white people. the ideology of the movie is incorrect, childish and makes no sense. the world is not good and evil, and colombia is an example of that. the colombia itself and the cia have sponsored AUC paramilitaries taht conduct unauthorized massacres, maybe Arnolds next movie should be about less fictional subjects because the colombian guerrillas would never bring the conflict between rich and poor to american soil.
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