Synopsis
When Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega) escapes from FBI custody, he makes a break for the US-Mexico border. His escape leads him through Sommerton Junction, Arizona, where the local Sheriff, Ray Owens (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his inexperienced deputies attempt to prevent his escape while waiting for reinforcements from Agent John Bannister (Forest Whitaker).
Review
So after almost a decade of being out of film, with the exception of a few cameos, Arnold Schwarzenegger is back on the big screen. The Last Stand offers Schwarzenegger a way to get back into the swing of things. It isn’t one of Schwarzenegger’s best movies, but it isn’t one of his worst, either. This movie won’t get any awards for being original, but it brings great action from start to finish.
This film takes it’s time introducing all the characters and setting up the story. However, once the action does start, it is huge. And it doesn’t stop, or even really slow down for that matter. Every scene there is at least one explosion or gunfight (or both). It feels like a modern western.
Schwarzenegger throws out one-liners like he is back in the 1980s again. However, except for a handful, none of them are very memorable. This movie plays on the fact that Schwarzenegger is getting older. Despite being 65-years-old, he is still intimidating as ever. He may still be getting back into movies, but if this is where he is starting, then it bodes well for his future movies.
The supporting cast is excellent in this film. Luis Guzman brings his signature humor to his role as senior deputy. Jamie Alexander is becoming one of my favorite actresses. She has really proven herself in the Thor movies and does great here, too. The stand out supporting cast member is Johnny Knoxville. He doesn’t get much screen time, but when he does show up, he gets some pretty good laughs.
Schwarzenegger does great in his return to the big screen. The Last Stand starts slow, but once the action starts, it doesn’t stop. Schwarzenegger offers up some quips evocative of his films from his 1980s and 1990s heydays. The supporting cast is one of the best and Knoxville had the stand-out performance. The Last Stand is a modern western that puts the pedal to the metal and doesn’t let up.
Rating
3.5/5
Drew's Movie Reviews 