The Last Stand
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Peter Stormare, Forest Whitaker, Jaimie Alexander, Johnny Knoxville
Director: Kim Jee-Woon
Rating: 2/5
It has been a decade since we have seen Arnold Schwarzenegger take on a lead role in a movie and now, after leaving his political career behind, he is back.
We have seen him take on bit roles in the likes of The Expendables franchise but now he is leading a cast list and, as per usual, kicking some ass.
After leaving his LAPD narcotics post following a bungled operation that left him wracked with remorse and regret, Sheriff Ray Owens (Schwarzenegger) moved out of Los Angeles and settled into a life fighting what little crime takes place in sleepy border town Sommerton Junction.
But that peaceful existence is shattered when Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega), the most notorious, wanted drug kingpin in the western hemisphere, makes a deadly yet spectacular escape from an FBI prisoner convoy.
An action classic this is not but, if you accept it for what it is, The Last Stand is a movie that is a lot of fun and that you can enjoy.
It’s dumb, mindless fun that puts action, blood and violence over plot and character development - but if you go into the movie understanding that then can kick back and enjoy the silliness and OTT of it all.
Arnie killing bad guys and a bit shoot out is exactly what you expect from this kind of movie and that is exactly what director Kim Jee-Woon delivers.
If you can get through a rather dull first forty five minutes you are rewarded with an over the top yet fantastic shoot out as Arnie and co shows the baddies who is boss.
It is great to see Schwarzenegger back in this type of role and while it is not his greatest action performance it is clear that he is having a lot of fun.
Johnny Knoxville is desperately underused but he does provide some great comic moments throughout and his character really is a lot of fun.
Jaimie Alexander and Rodrigo Santoro get in on the act but the romance between the pair is a little distracting and not really needed.
If you are looking for some mindless fun at the cinema this week and you don’t mind violence and blood then this is the movie for you.
Of course character development has gone completely out of the window and so if you are looking for something with a little more depth avoid this at all costs.
The Last Stand is a movie that you can kick back and laugh along with but it really isn’t that great!!!
The Last Stand is out now
Tagged in Arnold Schwarzenegger Johnny Knoxville