It happens that you watch a movie, and to write a review on it, which is called “hot pursuit”, is not so easy. It's so controversial. Here's "The Return of the Hero" just one of those controversial...
It’s no secret that the return of Schwarzenegger was expected primarily by those for whom the phrase “the era of video salons” is not simple words! No, they are not fans of retro, but they are connoisseurs of strong male cinema in the first place. Undiluted, so to speak, action. Of course, no one expected a miracle. Still, at the age of 65, it is not so easy to remain an “action hero”, and the Terminator’s long film holidays went clearly not to his advantage. Already on the trailer it was noticeable that Arnie was squeaking a new look. Much more appropriate and familiar he looked in the second "The Expendables", let his role there be reduced to no more than an extended cameo. In short, the forecasts for a full-fledged comeback Schwarzenegger on the big screens were not the most rosy. At least for me personally.
And yet, I was waiting for that return. Director Kim Ji Un remembered me at the time for a very, very interesting horror drama "Uninvited". Plus, his rather controversial tape "I saw the devil" made a lot of noise in cinematic circles. What can such a director do with the banal plot that Schwarzenegger got for his film renyuna? All or nothing! Film history knows a lot of examples when Hollywood once folded the author’s vision of a foreign director in favor of production requirements. Almost always, such paintings, subjected to many edits, predictably failed at the box office. Needless to say, Kim Ji-un was held hostage by such a situation? He was never allowed to bring anything of his own to the film, so Un had to use his only trump card, namely the operator Ji-yong Kim. And I must say that Kim "took off completely." “The Return of the Hero”, like no other tape of the first half of 2013, boasts luxurious panoramas, delightfully built compositional frames, and just a juicy and expressive picture (for example, the chase through a corn field is filmed very, very spectacularly; the same can be said about the scenes of shootings).
Schwarzenegger himself in "The Return of the Hero" (about the domestic translation of the name will not be held, such advertising moves from the distributors have long been no surprise to anyone) strikingly reminds ... The same wise squint, the same methods of fighting organized crime and the absence of any compromises with it. Yes, and the entourage of the picture, what a sin to hide, the creators clearly not by chance turned out to be “Western”. Casting specialists, although they managed to lure several patented charismatics like Peter Stormare and Luis Guzman to the film (except that Danny Trejo was not enough for complete happiness), almost all screen time is completely given to a noticeably aged icon of the genre. Schwarzenegger's hero-sheriff predictably takes over a gang of "bad guys," along the way proving to others (and not least to himself) that he is not yet "too old for all this shit."
As a result, “The Return of the Hero” looks like a collage of all the prominent paintings of this genre and does not seem to claim anything more. That, of course, for just another genre picture is not so bad, but for a full return Arnie after a ten-year break is clearly not enough!
Today, the main fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger are quite adult men who have loved this action hero from a young age and are ready to do much to see his new film. Oddly enough, but the creators of the action movie "The Return of the Hero" still satisfied fans of the Austrian. And all the other viewers, who are not distinguished by their love for the actor, will confidently say a well-known expression from the Internet: “God, they don’t even try.” And they will be right.
The film tells about the confrontation of an old sheriff, who has not checked gunpowder for a long time, and a young boss of a Mexican cartel, who goes home through the city of this very sheriff. The main thing in the film is the very last stand (last frontier) from the original title of the tape, which will keep the cops, fighting off evil bandits.
Unfortunately, that fun only begins in the last third of the action movie. Before that, the creators make the viewer miss all sorts of boring scenes for an hour: a ridiculous escape, albeit talentedly shown, but unnecessary chases of the villain in his car, ridiculous clarifications of the relationship of other cops and, of course, without emotional tears and drooling to tragic music to motivate the few heroes and increase timekeeping. The most interesting thing is that instead it was easy to show quite attractive scenes. No wonder on the cover flaunts the face of the crazy Johnny Knoxville in a hat-uhanka, which in fact in the picture once or twice and got dressed. And the very returned icon of the militants, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was waiting on the big screens in the lead role (think only!) for a decade, show somehow reluctantly and very quickly replaced by a bandit with his “well incredibly cool car”, then solving the problems of the FBI boss, well played by Forest Whitaker, or even some unnecessary nonsense.
Thank God, all this sticky like a swamp of babble at one moment crawls away and opens the doors to a real holiday. Everything falls into place: the eternally bad Peter Stormare grins and shoots at the main characters, Knoxville shoots back with a revolver in one hand and with a real shield in the other, and the iron Arnie remembers his youth and waters everyone with lead from a century-old machine gun. At these moments, it really seems that the director Kim Ji Un, despite the flaws, managed to shoot a good, cheerful comeback action movie for Schwartz. But anyway! After some time, the already seemingly good film again gives way to boring slime and sends iron Arnie to the last fight. Which exactly characterizes the whole film: incredibly protracted and devoid of any desire on the part of the creators to make the truth “cool movie”, which can easily boast of Schwarzenegger’s filmography.
However, if you love all this filmography, remember all the aphorisms of Schwartz and adore the film The Last Hero, you can safely throw out all the minuses. There really is Arnie here. His charisma, facial expressions, accent and charm, which have not changed since the distant Commando, are felt and able to warm the heart of every fan. In fact, it is the main advantage of this tape. Let the creators and sat in a puddle with everything else, from the soundtrack to the dynamics of the action, but to show Schwartz still as cool in his dashing 65 years they managed. Even though there are few scenes with him.
In the end, it turned out to be a movie exclusively for “their own”. To recommend this film to people who do not know the phrase “Put that cookie down!” is pointless, they will drown in a swamp of boredom, only towards the end briefly seeing the rescue wand in a bright shootout. Neither the plot, nor the characters of the film, nor the actors are able to interest. The only plus is the return of the hero, which will really appreciate only loyal fans. After all, despite his age, on a long break due to political activity, Arnold Schwarzenegger is not yet "too old for this shit." Everyone else is better off passing by and not even trying.
Yes, we finally waited for the return from oblivion to the screens of our mutual favorite - Arnie Schwarzenegger. And of course, it was unexpected. Because we are all used to seeing on the screen Arnie in the image of a kind of superman, terrifying cousins of all stripes and is undoubtedly a thorn in any criminal group, if one is destined to get in his way.
So what did we see in this movie? Superman? Nope! Just a tough metropolitan cop? Nope! Then who did we see here, and did Arnie disappoint us? Again, no!
Arnold still plays the hero, but his character Sheriff Owens is not a cool cop at all, he is inherent in the fears of ordinary police officers, the feelings and experiences of ordinary citizens who surround him in everyday life, with whom he eats breakfast every morning, discusses the news, relaxes, etc. And he himself is in large part an ordinary resident of an ordinary American backwater.
What, then, is the “return”? This question comes up all the time throughout the film. Until we finally learn from the director of the FBI that Sheriff Owens once served in Los Angeles and fought the drug mafia, in one of the shootouts he lost all his men, and, leaving serious business, settled in this very backwater. His iron grip becomes clear, he is driven by the desire, many years later, to complete an important task. And he succeeds, not because of his personal invulnerability as a superman, but because of his current colleagues at work, thanks to the citizens.
Why do we still like it like we did years ago?
Perhaps thanks to the "director's find" - some new genre in which the film was shot. We have all seen and loved westerns, where the characters of the film ride horses from morning to evening, shoot, share trophies, get captured, run away, gallop again, etc., etc. Now everything is different: why the current heroes ride a horse when always at hand: an iron horse, but not just a horse, but a herd under a thousand heads under the hood, on which you can easily race through a corn field and pursue your enemy. Yes, truly "finding" and something new, it's interesting.
It's a real Western, but in an action style.
Also, I find interesting the director’s decision to dilute the usual shootout with elements of “Tarantin militants”, when the bodies, if hit by a miracle bullet, fly to pieces. That's interesting.
And finally, a real gift for lovers of mixed martial arts looks like a duel at the end of the film, when our hero enters into a fight with a real specialist in jiu-jitsu. Involuntarily, you get off your feet when Arnie’s opponent tries to get out on the choking arm, but our hero easily, as in training, comes out of a difficult position. Here you again break down when the opponent goes to the “triangle”, but Arnie is again on the alert, he like a petrol fighter of mixed style raises, thanks to a remarkable force, his enemy over his head and throws him with his back on the iron bridge.
Yes, I can safely say that the return took place.
I mean old Schwartz. This is what it means to think carefully about the proposed options. After all, 65 years without self-irony is difficult.
And to be honest, I didn’t think it would work out so well. Incomprehensible director, hero-retired, uncomplicated plot, predictable ending. That's how nice it was. Fun, dynamic and not stupid at all. It is strange that the fees are so small – did the whole generation have time to change? New heroes, etc.? Poor people...
Okay, let's get to the point: what exactly did you like? First, the overall atmosphere. Jokes, jokes, so-called. For example, the dialogue on the subject of “save who can” with the regulars of the local cafe turned out very soulful, in my opinion. Again, with a sequel, which is always nice.
Or take, for example, the hero D. Knoxville. I was the only one who thought it was amazingly reminiscent of the legendary professor Emmett Brown C. Lloyd, or was it a consciously chosen landmark? Anyway, a funny character came out. Not without a fool, but, in general, on the case. Especially, of course, the equipment for the fight impressed.
A little bitterness. It never hurts in a good action movie - for better persuasiveness at least. It is boring when the crows fall from their feet, and the “defenders of the Fatherland” do not blow in their mustache. Here everything is fair: the boy wanted to leave the city - he left. Another thing is that it is a little further than planned.
Keep going. Shooting. Either I haven’t watched a movie of this genre for a long time, or today I have somehow learned to “bloodletting” in a new way. I’m not going to judge for reliability, but what turned out to be spectacular is a fact. That from a machine gun a couple of people in the duds are very juicy turned, that from sniper rifles — any expensive.
Even the final match - and he surprisingly correctly removed, without unnecessary movements. The boy looked at such a close and, at the same time, distant Mexico, and will. “Get your horses and your horses.”
We conclude: in its genre, the film turned out to be very, very cute. At
Los Angeles police officer Ray Owens is transferred to the post of sheriff in the small quiet town of Somerset. Nothing unusual happens there, except that someone's cat needs to be removed from the tree, so Ray just enjoys life and rather by inertia follows the law and order. It's quiet and calm. Another day in heaven on earth.
However, a certain drug lord Cortés decides to cross the nearby border with Mexico, thus avoiding the death penalty. Ray becomes the last obstacle in his way.
The idea that the old warrior, who desires peace and tranquility and focuses on simple values as honor and dignity, is forced to confront the unprincipled, devoid of conscience and sense of responsibility young "destroyer of human souls" - gives rise to a very powerful metaphor about the old and the new. The new world, abstracted within itself, often forgets small but important things. And reminding them of them with the help of a representative of the old generation in the person of Arnold Schwarzenegger sounds great.
The plot, adjusted to this idea, also has to itself. The countryside is suddenly attacked by the inhabitants of big cities. It’s like, “Battle the city, kill the village!”
But as it often happens, the idea and the plot are good, but the implementation of them pumps. The main problem is that the creators are not trying to hide anything from us. They show absolutely everything so that even the most inattentive viewer understands everything. As a result, during the first hour, the most sophisticated first hour that ever was, the characters do what they say about the same thing that the viewer knows, state facts that the viewer knows better than them, and Schwartz even has to investigate the murder as if the viewer had not previously shown how perfect it was.
But that's fine. Heroes at the same time manage to make emotional outpourings with such a look that you begin to doubt their acting abilities. Normal people are only Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eduardo Noriega as Cortez with a beard of Tony Stark, Peter Stormare with a beard of Nicholas Cage, the grandfather-guard hangar from the Avengers, the old woman with a gun, and Johnny Knoxville, for whose character madness is normal. The rest look like they're not far away. Especially "lucky" Forest Whitaker and his subordinates. With such intelligence and such work, how else does the FBI hold, it's unclear. It is clear that the characters are made in such a way as to explain the whole mess and give the main character a fuller show, but this exchange is not proportionate and leads to the fact that the characters begin to quietly dislike.
The action itself suffers from this, becoming the second problem. In the first encounter, it’s not like “beat the city, urine the village”, but rather “beat the babies”. The director tries to somehow correct this situation, to put everything in the right light, adding some sarcastic notes and second gags, but the problems are so deep that the attempt to pass idiocy as the norm and make it fundamental to the whole film fails. The film inevitably becomes a morning in the madhouse - which, if you think about it, is not so funny.
However, to the credit of the director, it must be said that he understands everything, suffers himself, clutches his head hysterically and, in order to somehow compensate for the moral damage caused, gives such a “shocking” second hour, for which everyone can forgive their sins with a pure heart. Surprisingly, it is because of this second hour of “The Return of the Hero” that I want to revise.
5 out of 10
General Motors never tires of inventing new ways to advertise its products. In addition, Barack Obama constantly calls them and reminds them that it is time to buy out a controlling stake - the country's budget is not rubbery. And so, GM marketers came up with a brilliant move: recently an action movie with the participation of several Chevrolet models was released on the screens. The main role shines a modified Corvette ZR1, he deftly escapes from the chase, overtaking helicopters and scaring American traffic police. Apparently, that is why in the Russian box office the film was called “The Return of the Hero”, because one of the models was called Hero Edition. And, of course, as you probably guessed by now, the sheriff and the mayor of the city and the gangsters and FBI agents drive on a variety of General Motors models. The golden cross of Chevrolet, the same one that William Durant painted from the wallpaper of one of the hotels in Paris, and the GMC emblem, will often flash on the screen.
Oh yes, I almost forgot, even in this film starred infamous Arnold Schwarzenegger. He, by the way, also dissects on Chevrolet, only his model is simpler. It's clear who in their right mind would let a cop drive a ZR1. But Arnold was allowed at the end of the film to pretty much make this cocky model, and at the same time turn into a pile of scrap metal no less cocky Chevrolet ghouls ..., sorry, the mayor of the city.
In conclusion, South Korean director Kim Ji-un does more than just commercials for General Motors. Previously, he was known for his bloody, places to disgust, thriller "I Saw the Devil" and spaghetti western "The Good, the Bad, the F***."
You might wonder why Richard Hammond? Because Jeremy Clarkson won't fit in the ZR1 - the head will rest against the roof.
Many have already written that this film is very reminiscent of the militants 80-90, in particular Commando, but the scenes of the main villain, resemble more modern militants in the spirit of the Furious ... it turns out a kind of relationship between generations.
In general, the film was watched with pleasure, but the ending still seems to me to have been leaked ... the final fight is too banal, such a kind of tough drug lord who planned a great escape, who provided everything possible, could not come up with anything. A dull chase in which a professional racer showed nothing, and no less depressing mahalovo with Arnie.
In general, the impressions of the film are more positive. Comrade Schwarzenegger is on the right path!
There are actors who are especially difficult to age. This category undoubtedly includes the heroes of the militants. Only Clint Eastwood decently moved to another age category, without losing his charisma and coolness. I don’t even remember any other examples.
Iron Arnie gave 10 years to politics and was a good governor, apparently. After serving two terms in this post and realizing that he, as an immigrant, does not face a presidential career, the actor decided to return to the profession.
Respectfully, he chose the age role of sheriff of a small town on the border with Mexico, a former tough drug cop. It is near this town that the fugitive drug lord tries to cross the border. The further development of events, I think, is clear to all. But the main thing here is not “what”, but “how”.
And this great “how” took place thanks to the debut in Hollywood of Korean hitmaker Kim Ji-un, who has long dreamed of making a real American action movie. Not Korean, but American, which is great and performed.
Showing Eastern scrupulousness and meticulous formalism, he adds to all sorts of clichés of American militants just enough irony and humor not to fall into a parody or cabbage and avoid unnecessary pathos. It was very effective, witty and dynamically fast.
I like the development of two parallel stories. Playing drug lord Rodrigo Santor, creates a bright and charismatic image, charming not inferior to Arnie himself. The more effective their final fight.
In general, all the supporting characters got the opportunity to sing their swan song in this film, creating characteristic miniatures, short and memorable.
And, of course, Schwarzenegger. To his hero, in addition to constant coolness, added experience and wisdom. However, where acting is required, Arnie is slightly stalled. Well, if it is necessary to use fists - here he has few equals.
It remains only to congratulate the actor on a worthy return, to the delight of fans of old-school militants with modern dynamics.
Young viewers brought up in a special-effectual tradition, the film is likely not impressed. In this case, I suggest you just give justice to one of the brightest actors who have done so much for the development of cinema.
8 out of 10
I will not hide the fact that I, like millions of people, have been waiting for Arnold Schwarzenegger to return to the big screen. Perhaps the main dilemma before the release of this film was the opinion about whether the old horse can spoil the furrow of the action genre. In the end, I got a lot of fun. Yes, this is once again not a deep, semantic movie, but a damn cheerful action movie in the style of the 90s with a legend of the genre.
I want to start with a description of the distinctive color of this film. I don’t know if it was planned in advance, but the picture turned out to be a kind of Western in a modern manner. There are not only canonical attributes of the genre: a hot desert, a small town forgotten by God, bandits and policemen and so on. It seems that for a while you really got into the American outback, which we seemingly saw dozens of times, but in the next, here, you can enjoy it. Of course, when the scenes of action on the streets of the city begin, the magic of this place almost fades, turning into a solid scenery for shooting, but I was waiting for it. There are really a lot of shootings in the film, and as you can see from the trailers and descriptions, there is a chase. An interesting feature of the film is the presence of a variety of weapons - for this, thanks to one of the key characters, with his museum of rare weapons.
The plot has never been a strong side of the genre, so you should not hope for revelations. However, the story has stepped forward and does not feel banal. The boss of the drug mafia as the main negative hero, manhunting at the state level - features that attract attention. In general, I would like to note the very high quality of the production – the case when all elements work together. Let’s say you would expect that after watching it, you wouldn’t remember anyone other than Schwarzenegger’s character – that’s not true. The story is full of surprisingly memorable characters, mostly comic. A good amount of self-irony, plus the inevitable presence of stamps and in fact, additional scenes with humor, give in the end a great mood. No boredom or feeling tired of narration.
As for Arnie himself, as we all know, he is no longer young, but even in the seventh ten looks like an action hero. Of course, such a bellicose awe as in his best years does not cause, but he copes with the “bad guys” with dignity. Perhaps he should have put aside the story of an aging provincial sheriff in favor of more ambitious projects, but the return, I believe, was a worthy and successful one. Positive emotions after watching gave me hope for new bright appearances Arnie on the screen in the coming years.
8 out of 10
And who are the people whining about the leaked return of Iron Arnie? Well, I'm right, I have no idea what else you need. This is a concentrated collection of our childhood (80s) with a favorite hero. Plus, put by a good director “good, bad, fucked up” – and it is perfectly visible in the film! Well, not without flirting with the gray old and not very (dredd).
Well, yeah, I agree that Arnie's not much of a jump and run anymore. Sometimes my heart beats for him. It would be easier for him not to worry the fans. But for the sake of returning, it was possible to try, what is it here?
I agree with the fact that now (and maybe even then) such a movie is closer to the category of b-movie, despite the rather large budget (which unfortunately did not pay off, it seems), but is it bad? Especially considering that these blockbusters are now. I want something spiritual, and that’s the case.
For a long time I have not seen a good action movie, although this film can be called an action movie by a stretch. First of all, this is a very dynamic and uplifting movie, where people like Knoxville and Guzman very conveniently diluted the atmosphere of a typical, filled with shooting and disassembly, crime film.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a great man who quit with such a boring occupation as politics, and decided to sit down again for his typical saddle of an actor. Ex-Mr. Olympia, ex-governor and acting superstar, never ceases to be a role model for me. And even though in this film he was slightly overestimated (almost single-handedly interrupting a gang of professional bandits, he manages to “convince” the main mafia of the film to surrender to the police) but there can be no reproaches personally to Arnold - he knows his business perfectly.
Lots of high-quality shootouts, humor and the pleasure of returning a hero: Arnold Schwarzenegger. A great movie to watch with friends, which will definitely lift your mood.
Schwarzenegger once again confirmed the simple and well-known fact to all fans that he is an actor of the same plan: the completely unkillable Colonel Matrix (already, however, retired). There is nothing else to expect from this film. And... For nothing other than to look at the returned hero, this film is not suitable.
Arnold is very old. This was already evident in Terminator 3, but here he appears as an old man, cheerful, strong, able to give a head start to any young, but already an old man. Those who did not grow up in the 90s, those who did not find VHS with the translation of the voice of a patient with sinusitis - do not watch this movie. If you do not say anything about what was said with a terrible accent “hooligan”, if you do not understand what the meaning of the phrase “I let him go!” – do not watch this film. It will bring you one disappointment.
Watching this movie, you realize that, alas, the old guard has almost no room on the screen. Their era ended 15 years ago. “Hero Returns” is a eulogy to the entire genre of stupid American action movie. Those of you who are younger -- and I'm not that old -- when you walk out of the theater, you can't understand how we watched movies like this 15, 20 years ago. They no longer understand that we wanted to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jean Claude Van Dame.
Of course, after “Hero Return” there will be more classic action films. Maybe they will play the heroes of our childhood. But the era is over. We waited for the return to the screens of the main actor of the genre. And the effect of the "bomb explosion" it did not produce. Aged, but unstoppable, our heroes give the last fight. But interest in them is fading. They don't have a young audience. They are interesting only to us - the generation of the 90s. They're being written off...
First of all, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this is the English-language debut of one of the most promising directors of Korean cinema, Kim Ji-un, who gave us the crazy action movie “Good, Bad, Fucking”. Which was shot in the best traditions of "Project A" with an admixture of an old-fashioned pathos western. It’s also a very good thriller, “I Saw the Devil.” But everything and everything here, of course, is eclipsed by old Arnie, who fulfilled the old promise in a phrase that has long become an aphorism.
I won’t lie, The Last Frontier does not claim to be a revolution in the genre of American action films. Everything is done according to the classical scheme, does not abound in sophisticated presentation of the plot and action. But, nevertheless, he is a truly qualitative representative. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Ray Owens, an old-school man, the sheriff of a backwater town on the Mexican border. The place is very quiet. Sheriff’s subordinates, who can’t imagine anything more dangerous than a bar fight, shoot a suspended meat carcass, because this is the only way to use a service weapon. And the sheriff is preparing for a quiet weekend, entertaining himself by checking out a pair of suspicious truckers. Meanwhile, Gabriel Cortez, a convicted drug lord, escapes from custody. He does this on a stolen, tuned Corvette ZR1 with a thousand horsepower, along with a group of his subordinates, taking a hostage for insurance. Cortés is also a professional racer, as we see at the beginning of the film. I think you've guessed that his way is through Sheriff Owens town. Of course, the FBI didn't have time to give the city the support it needed by saying, "Get out yourself." The film is not replete with unexpected plot twists, but this does not prevent it from being exciting, thanks to the chic action component. Yes, the terminator is still good.
It is also worth mentioning that the film is simply saturated with adequate, and quite brutal humor. However, few action movie with Arnie can complain about the lack of humor, even if specific.
Supporting actors did not play their roles perfectly, fitting into the overall atmosphere of the film. Not hit in the dirt and Johnny Knoxville in the role of Louis, of course, at first he appears before us as a template eccentric. But even with his monotonous roles, Johnny knows how to dispose of the viewer, not without subtle humor. As for Arnold, his game as an elderly sheriff is very transparent, but as soon as it comes to action, Arnie does everything the audience needs, destroys, breaks, gives pathetic words. Very funny quarrels occur between him and Forest Whitaker, showing the eternal quarrels of the police and the feds.
Whether Ji-un was not allowed to open up, or he himself was afraid to do something new, but one way or another the film turned out to be banal classic. That clinically rabid nature, as in his past works, you will not see. But this does not mean that the film is boring, during the film there are many truly bloody and beautiful action scenes. Arnie runs around the screen and shoots supostats faster than in the final shootout of the second “Expendables”, but he is already in his seventh decade.
About the Russian localization should be said separately, the translation felt too much slob, look only at the Russian title of the film. It’s very sad, it really ruins the atmosphere of the film. I hope that I will soon be able to watch the film in a more “free” translation.
So, did Arnie make it back? Definitely. The film has many shortcomings, but you can close your eyes to this, especially when watching the film you are unlikely to notice it.
I think that I will not surprise anyone if I say that the film "The Return of the Hero" directed by Kim Ji Un was watched exclusively for the sake of his favorite childhood hero - Arnold Schwarzenegger. In my opinion, at 65, Arnie looks very good, but still, the years took their own, and it will not hide any makeup, not a single rigid diet, on which Arnold probably sat before the shooting of this action movie, since acting Governor of California, the network repeatedly got personal photos of Arnie, taken by annoying paparazzi, where everywhere was visible his cellulite and belly, which he well not to face. Despite the fact that the film was shot in the style of the action movie of the nineties, it was still interesting to watch. Firstly, the presence of steel Arnie, whom I had not seen for a long time with a weapon in his hands, was delighted; secondly, the template story set on the stamped foundation looked very attractive, which seemed to me very strange.
The beginning of all this return flashed bright and exciting escape super-duper Mexican thug, then I had to watch the steepest chase after the same guy who took hostage a beautiful girl who tied his life with a badge and a gun, and then when the director transferred all the cameras to the town of Sommerton Junction, where the initiative was intercepted by Arnold and a couple of stupid village policemen, that’s when the film spoiled like a can of herring, which was left open on a hot day of July. Praise Arnold Schwarzenegger is for what, he proved to his fans, he proved to himself that he has not yet forgotten how to hold a huge shotgun in his hands and also brightly and coolly say the phrase "i" I'll be back! In addition to the California Terminator, the film had to have a more or less good script. As for me, Andrew Knauer managed to compose something, but the picture lacked only one thing, namely a serious completion of serious scenes.
Towards the middle, the action movie turned into a comedy action movie, which I really didn't like. I wanted to see a slightly different Arnold, but Kim Ji-un somehow decided that if the film will be attended by those stupid village policemen who yesterday drank beer and took cats from the trees, and today are preparing for the visit of dangerous bandits, the film will look more interesting and a little brighter. "The Return of the Hero" is a rather pleasant film, where there is nothing else to look at except Arnold, and this is a fact! The film went, time passed, and with it on the screen began to scale with stupid situations and not really worn plot twists that just sickened. What is commercial success, the film never learned. The return of the hero seems to have happened, but on the other hand, my friends, I am tormented by vague doubts about whether this movie is considered a successful return of the legend of the militants?
7 out of 10
"Hero Returns" is the first film to star Arnold Schwarzenegger after his term as governor. And I must say, the return was not the most successful. The picture failed miserably in the States. And all over the world, Arnie’s return to the big movie was perceived without due enthusiasm and respect.
I must say that “Hero Return” is not only the first film with Schwarzenegger in the title role, after a huge break, but it is also the first Hollywood film by South Korean director Kim Ji-un. At home, he is one of the most commercially successful directors. During his short career, this uncle managed to work in almost all genres. Horror, western, action movie, thriller, comedy and every film became a real hit in South Korea, and in general he is rightfully considered a very fashionable director, setting the tone for cinema in the 21st century. It embodies that creative and innovative Korean cinema, with honed camera work and all sorts of inventive lotions. It’s a shame that his first Hollywood film failed miserably. Alas, but this suggests that most likely in Hollywood now this certainly talented and extraordinary director the way is ordered.
In general, it seems that Kim was used here as cannon fodder. Because the whole problem with this movie is in the story itself. He does not have any knowledge of his own, nor does he have any knowledge of it. Accordingly, the film itself wears out of memory immediately after viewing, and not some directorial, even the most brilliant, ideas to save this movie simply can not. If you start to analyze it in detail, the film does not seem so bad. This is especially true of action. Although, of course, it seems that the director did not have such freedom as in his Korean films. For example, in the film “I saw the devil” full of obscene language and frank depraved scenes, and here the participation of Schwarzenegger naturally attracts the attention of a huge number of teenagers. Accordingly, the age rating of the film is not so high. By the way, Schwarzenegger is also not the strongest link in this film. During his absence, he completely lost all his acting talent, with which he, frankly, was not very disfigured before. Some of the most dramatic moments he even froze. The tragic death of a young police officer. Here, it is time for the viewer to let an uninvited tear, but as soon as the camera hits Schwarzenegger’s face in close-up at the very climax of the moment, the entire episode fumes instantly. He has such a ridiculous and stupid expression on his face that it is simply impossible not to laugh. In general, it seems that Kim certainly could not rightly tell Schwarzenegger what and how he should play. I heard that Liam Neeson could have played the lead role. An actor who is strong primarily for his dramatic talent. And I found myself thinking from time to time that he would be much more relevant in a movie like this today than Schwarzenegger. Returning to the action, then everything is just at the highest level, from all the shootouts, chases, knocked out brains, falling out intestines and rivers of blood splashing in all directions, there is a desire to lick your fingers. Everything is filmed in the best traditions of Asian cinema - creative, brutal, inventive, powerful. But unfortunately, this is not enough to somehow distinguish the film from a number of such action films.
And most importantly, summing up the sad result, it becomes clear that today the time of heroes who single-handedly punished evil and saved the world unfortunately in our mercantile age has come to an end. And this is actually shown by the box office results of the latest films with Jackie Chan, Stallone, Bruce Willis and Schwarzenegger. All as one collected a lower cash register than expected from them. Twenty years ago, we all took such films seriously. We sincerely believed that the hero of the loner is able to resist evil. Now it is perceived as some kind of parody or postmodernism in the spirit of Tarantino or the same Koreans. You just can't believe Schwarzenegger right now. Who would have thought that there would come a time when Schwarzenegger once again said his crown word – I’ll be back, and in return indifferent silence. It only says that sometimes you just need to be able to leave beautifully and never come back. Tell yourself, "Enough is enough." I'm not the same. Shame on you. We must give way to the young”. Still, like not to beat, but pensioners place in retirement.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's triumphant return to the cinema screens contains those features of the 80s cinema that were normal at the time, but now look from the category "immediately on DVD."
This story combines action movie, racing, comedy and an intriguing story. It seems that such an abundance of mixing will create something special. The result is a passing film that does not save the appearance of Schwarzeneger. The main complaint is loss of interest when viewing. Having a good story in his hands, the director did not use the potential, but was content with an amateur way of shooting and narrating.
Perhaps my requirements as a viewer are too high, but this is the century when directors are able to create good pictures with a weak script. Both good technical techniques and amazing camera work are used, as well as music with computer effects. This film uses a large number of voiced elements. Divisive effect of negligence. Shooting for speed, lack of elaboration of details, incommensurable plot twists and narrative, the desire to fit all ideas in the final viewing time. It saturates the film. I feel like the director hasn’t done this before and decided to try it. It could be good, but it turned out to be a very average movie.
7 out of 10
It is foolish to deny that Asian cinema is on the rise. Largely because of the unique opportunity to shoot decent products, it would seem for meager money. Hence, it is not surprising that nowadays there is a tendency of Japanese and Korean directors to travel to Hollywood. In this case, there is a Hollywood debut of perhaps one of the most talented Korean directors of our time Kim Ji-un. However, the film is notable for the appointment of a Korean director at the helm of such a promising project. Rather, the fact that the conical hero of the militants in the person of Arnold Schwarzenegger returned after 10 years of long-term construction. Which only highlights the distorted translation compiled by our localizers. What do we really have? Quite spectacular and dynamic old-school action movie.
Obviously, this work is very difficult to compare with modern pop roots blockbusters. Especially compared to Transformers and Cobra Throw. In front of us is a kind of monument to the former militants of the 80s and 90s, who all looked up to the holes on video tapes. After all, almost from the very first shots, the film gives all the well-known stamps of the genre, which create a kind of simplicity and perhaps even poverty of the picture. In fact, as well as the dilogy of “The Expendables”, which by today’s standards looks morally outdated. But not here. Kim Ji Un perfectly put together elements of former fighters and modern action films on the screen. Which, of course, was reflected in the hurricane spectacle of the tape, which was reflected not only in numerous shootings, chases and destruction, but also in blood fountains with quite cruel violence on the screen.
All in all, one for the eyes. The sad thing is that the action component of the tape is not distributed in an even layer throughout the tape and is rather a change of a series of empty frames. To keep the story dense. Hence, we can safely say that this film completely lacks the directorial style of Kim Ji-un, which he so honed in his Korean filmography. Created on the screen an insanely beautiful and spectacular picture of what any other American director could shoot. The film also disappointed me a bit. For all the joy I saw on the screen, I expected more.
It is obvious that to demand from the genre of action movie worthy story is not grateful. After all, the genre itself is essentially only a spectacle, and everything else reduces to second roles. This film was no exception. After all, in fact, we may have a fairly predictable plot, which is built on a rather clogged in the genre stamp. Almost from the very first minutes of the tape, it is clear who will die, in whom the hero will suddenly wake up, whether “our” will win and in what sequence the bad guys will go to that world.
It's kind of bad. After all, the trilogy of “The Dark Knight” Nolan gave a tendency to shift genres on the screen. When it's like this, we have a classic old cheeky action movie. Nevertheless, the film looks easy and perhaps even with pleasure. After all, the plot is simple, the characters are logical and there is no point in persistently thinking about what you see on the screen. Except that, getting in the course of watching the tape only pleasure, which provides the viewer occasionally distinguished humorous moments. Here we can safely say that it is periodic jokes and funny moments that bring an even more pronounced entertaining context to the tape.
Who knew that the phrase “I’ll Be Back” uttered by Schwarzenegger in the sequel to “Terminator” will not only become a cult, but will only get its meaning 22 years later. For many years, viewers and fans from all over the world have been waiting for the return of Iron Arnie to the wide screens. Hence, it is not surprising that the very fact of the return of Schwarzenegger to the first roles after 10 years was the best advertising for this picture. Schwarzenegger returned as promised. Which is a pleasure. Perhaps outwardly Schwarzenegger already looks a little old and "blurred" within the genre, but this is perfectly compensated by his on-screen character.
After all, on the screen we see the usual “old wolf”, who does not try to play young. Yes, it is difficult for him to read without glasses, and he is not in the same luxurious physical form as before, but he does what he knows and it bribes. Hence, it is not surprising that the impression of the game of Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves such a huge impression that does not eclipse the performance of all the other actors combined.
Forest Whitaker, Rodrigo Santoro and Luis Guzman played well. Jamie Alexander did not fit into the image of the “main beauty of the tape”, but the whole film bought a very natural game. Actually, as well as Johnny Knoxfil, who again tried on the image of the “pea joke” and dignified all the humor of the tape on himself. Eduardo Noriega and Peter Stormare played well, but they still failed to create a particularly strong impression. As well as Genesis Rodriguez, who got a kind of “not up to the role”, which showed her “neither fish nor meat”. Even the need and importance of her heroine in the course of the development of the plot disappears immediately. Maybe that's why Rodriguez didn't really play. Which is sad.
The music of the invariable companion and composer of films Kim Ji Un Moug left a very pleasant impression on me. I am once again amazed at how Moug is able to bring absolutely original music in terms of arrangement to seemingly genre projects. Here it would seem that the music is standard dynamic, spectacular and spectacular, but the very manner of sound, the choice of original musical instruments and the arrangement creates the impression of something more.
8 out of 10
Spectacular, dynamic and quite cool old-school action movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger's return was a success. Perhaps not as I expected to see initially, but certainly watch the movie is worth it to everyone.
I didn’t go to the movie, unfortunately. I thought it would be boring and mediocre. Wrong. This is, of course, fantastic, but quite cheerful and even cool in places.
I really liked all the scenes on the track - invented and implemented above all praise. Not so much the action pleasantly surprised, as originality. Still, you do not expect to see something new and interesting in the passing action movie. I also want to note here a kind of duel on revolvers - this is an extreme Brutal and it was very stylish! But that's not the point.
More importantly, it’s Schwarzenegger’s first major role in ten years, and he did it, in my opinion. How old is he? 65? And he didn’t ruin a single battle scene, which deserves respect. And the rest of the cast is also not bad: Johnny Knoxville, as always, is flawless in the role of an idiotic psychopath, and Jamie Alexander, Genesis Rodriguez and Christiana Lukas are just nice to watch. The villains are a little weaker, but I would not say that any of them leak the picture.
The downside is actually only one: if you don’t like action movies without much meaning... then why do you read my review and even go to the page of this film – I don’t understand, honestly. If you do not have such a prejudice, then it is definitely worth a look.
The predicted resuscitation of classic action films, which are gaining momentum in popularity today, thanks to the nostalgia of those who really screwed with such films, revived not only the powerful team that is now known as "The Expendables", but also some superheroes individually. I haven't seen Mr. Stallone in the action movie of the same name yet, but I got to the iron Arnie. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who fully performed the last time in the third Terminator, after being in the place of Governor of California, decided to return, in every sense. Already pleased with his short, but bright roles in the above-named action movie, but still wanted to see him in a separate film, which became "The Last Frontier", traditionally called "The Return of the Hero". Apparently, the cunning cerebellum of localizers is still alive and working at the limit, trying to simultaneously vulgarize the ideological content of the name for the sake of sweet profits. Their twisted change, of course, brought a good benefit from such dishonest advertising, but it seems to me, sticking to the original, the film would have lost nothing, neither its money nor the viewer.
A person who is going to watch a new film with Schwarzenegger, first of all, it is worth knowing that in addition to his favorite, but aged hero, he will see a strong comedy action movie. It is comedic, because "The Last Frontier" begins as a serious detective thriller, adhering to the classic turns of American cinema 80-90s. But later, as the plot develops and its incandescence, many may think that the director or someone else has completely played out and even overstepped the stick. Therefore, the picture of Kim Ji Un should be launched with a smile, so that the main brawl does not seem like nonsense or banter. If the humor in "The Expendables" was built mainly on the characters, then here, "Arnold" does not joke much, rather the plot circumstances always play in his favor. Plus, the secondary characters in the person of Johnny Knoxville, an adult, but still crazy and deprived of reason, and Peter Stormar, evil and scolding, always added a share of positive energy to such a banal and predictable plot. It is worth noting that despite the stamped story about the sheriff of a small town who decided to confront a whole mafia gang, the film does not pull the cat by the frog. Where necessary, "The Last Frontier" begins a shootout and splashes blood, leaving no room for empty conversations with a gun pointed at someone.
Arnie appeared in the role of a provincial sheriff, which suited him very well. A man who had in the past a stormy service in the police of a large city, now retired to the outback on the border with Mexico. He knows the value of the uniform he wears and quietly "preaches" order, honesty and legality, day in and day out, and like many locals, comes to the only bar to drink water. He did not save himself in front of the dangerous mafia Cortez, who escaped from prison and intends to move across the border to his Mexican homeland through a quiet town. Preparing his assistants for the inevitable clash with a gang of well-armed militants and their stylish leader, who rushes to the town on a powerful, high-speed Corvette, in the hope of a chic ride on a makeshift bridge over the canyon, Arnie and his comrades resort to rather rustic and everyday methods of barricade and confrontation, which will laugh, and then, on a positive note, frankly please. They get it, no matter how unusually funny and at the same time cruel it did not seem. In some places it is quite unrealistic, but the picture pleased, gave a good mood.
Kim Ji Un, who directed the cruel I Saw the Devil, did not surprise with a film with Arnie then, but the quality of the work remained at the same level, there is cruelty, there are characters not as deep as in the Korean thriller, but interesting. From them depth, in principle, is not required, proceeding from the fact that the “hero return” is a purely entertaining movie, built for the most part on the presence of Arnold Schwarzenegger in it. And how he writes from a large-caliber machine gun, which someone passed off as a Russian Maxim, famously races a modern Chevrolet Camaro, ruthlessly knocking down the corn, or what they grow there, shoots in the head in flight, it is worth those two hours allocated for viewing. Moreover, it was nice to see the killer cameo of the eternal Harry Dean Stanton and a bit of Genesis Rodriguez, remembered from the film On the Edge, not awarded a normal role, but pleasant. Positive impressions from the technical side of the picture, the camera does not do anything outstanding, but captures everything you need and from what angles you need, sometimes reminding you of something old and familiar.
"The Last Stand" is a movie that justifies the genre of "fighter", action-movie without admixtures and delights, straightforward and honest as the hero of Schwarzenegger. Yes, he's really back in a decent standalone movie that will disappear from any rating lists, but it's fun anyway. A broken ghoul car is worth looking at in a good mood.
The feature film Return of the Hero is certainly a metaphor. And symbolizes for me personally the return of the good old Schwartz, and the revival of the genre of ironic action movie with a fair bit of humor, adored in childhood, and now no less beloved, what a sin to hide.
You do not want to write about such muscular action films much, you want to try them sooner, start watching them. It's like a kind of mouth-watering steak that's already ready and beckons you with all its appearance. And I must say - the signature recipe of films with the participation of iron Arnie - worked now. No, not a cocktail, but a rattling mixture of charismatic images, humor, phrases, self-irony, references to past movie hits. And this recipe is either like or not, but to pass indifferently by it somehow does not work.
This is not the first time I write that I do not like modern heroes with superpowers, self-healing wounds, homing guns, the indispensable ability to fly and stop kilometer-long trucks. These films excite the imagination, of course, but just as exciting can be a one-on-one fight on a suspension bridge over the abyss. When no one and nothing can help you - only will, experience, strength, courage and duty.
In general, to sum up, on the one hand, Return of the Hero became an expected event for me, but also presented many surprises that complemented the image of a simple hero. This is the “Maxim”, and the moccasins of the sheriff, and the Chevrolet Camaro roadster, which unexpectedly appeared in the model line. Thank you very much for the scenes!
Total
9 out of 10
Cut for blunders, which, although not fatal, but attract attention.
Have you learned how to shoot yet?
Muscle memory is a strong thing. (c)
I don’t know who, but I was waiting for Arnold Schwarzenegger to come back to the big screen. Having played the mayor of California in politics, he returned to our joy of playing a hero in the movies. So, we are pleased to welcome our beloved Arnie in his new film directed by Kim Ji-un "The Last Stand", which in the Russian box office was under the title "The Return of the Hero" (and how else to say).
Plot. On the way to the execution of the death sentence from under the FBI convoy escapes the most dangerous criminal, drug lord in the third generation Gabriel Cartez. In an armored racing car, he heads to the tiny town of Sommerton on the outskirts of the United States to cross the border with Mexico and remain free forever. Ray is the sheriff of this town, once one of the best fighters against the drug mafia. Now he has a chance to prove that he is capable of something. And Ray is already waiting for Kartez to appear on the threshold of his possessions!
As for the movie. "Hero Return" is a standard action movie, with its own standard set. Apparently, Kim Ji Un, debuting for the first time in Hollywood, decided not to take risks, and shot just a good classic action movie without any bells and whistles there. Cool guy, cool guns, cool cars, shooting, fights, chases and humor - with such a set, the film is pleasant to watch, and an hour and a half pass easily and imperceptibly. Honestly, I expected a lot more from this movie. I thought Arnie's return to the big screen would be triumphant, something unthinkable from the lines of "wow," "wow," "wow," and "wow." Instead, I saw an ordinary action movie with a simple story. Interesting, exciting, but ordinary. Schwarzenegger was silent for 10 years, and here's the BAC, and just the sheriff. Not the Terminator, not Conan, not the Running Man, just the sheriff. And over these 10 years, Arnie has aged a lot, and this is very noticeable even under tons of makeup and makeup. And if his age Stallone, who has also recently become very active, still runs and jumps, and can sometimes even play muscles, then Arnie seemed to me already an old man who needs to slowly go into family comedies.
As for the other actors, the composition was not bad. I really liked Johnny Knoxville. He's the humor of this movie. And after "The Hazzard Dorks" I associate with the countryside and movies of this kind. Forest Whitaker as an FBI agent looks great. Strict, severe and serious, a real boss and leader among other agents. Only a small role Genesis Rodriguez. Such a beautiful woman and such a small role. As for me, she deserved a more important character, at least should have been the daughter of the sheriff and the best supporting actress.
Result. If we take Return of the Hero as Schwarzenegger’s first film after a long silence, it seems to me that the return failed, and I expected something much more. And if you take "The Return of the Hero" as just an ordinary action movie, then such films are for me, and this one I also liked very much! This film is easy, stylish, interesting and exciting for every action lover without exception. I advise everyone to pass the evening and have a nice time in the company of Arnold Schwarzenegger and his friends watching "The Return of the Hero." Arnie is back, and this can not but rejoice!
After a long absence from the cinema, a new film with Arnie has finally come out. According to the story of the arrested drug dealer, he is released by his henchmen and rushes to the border in a fast car. But to his trouble on his way is a town where the sheriff is Arnie, who of course is a bad guy, along the way reducing the population of bandits.
Among the advantages of the film can be noted shootouts and chases, and of course Arnie, who, despite his age and machine gun will shoot and hand-to-hand wave and throw a couple of apt phrases. There are also some funny moments in the movie. Arnie's team will be a couple of cops and a couple of underlings. Among them is Johnny Knoxville, who looks good as a local fool.
But at the same time, the FBI and the bandits under the leadership of Peter Stormare do not differ in professionalism. The role of Stormare himself is quite short and not particularly memorable. The first half of the film is a little tight, but it is diluted by the pursuit of a bad guy who is racing to the border. The film is full of logical inconsistencies.
In the end, we have an average action movie. Watch only for Arnie, who finally returned to the big movie.
7 out of 10
I watched this miracle and immediately remembered the fights of professional boxers such as Roy Jones, Tyson, etc. when they at the end of their career received lulas from young fighters. You know, it hurts to watch. Same here. I looked and thought to myself, Arnie, why? You will not be forgotten by many generations, and some will know, I am sure, but not in this film. Terminator, Commando, is already like a trademark.
Throughout the film, I was bored. A banal to impossible scenario with a plot, flavored with film blunders and nonsense. I don't know, maybe as you get older, you start watching movies from a more realistic perspective and you pick on more. This is where the questions come from:
- As the most dangerous drug dealer, even with the help of locusts, escapes from a platoon of valiant FBI. Beautifully tricked with a bunch of orange-clad men, that's it. But why did he drive to the border in a car that is only a few copies in the world? What is this pontificate, or an unobtrusive chance to catch him? No, he's an avid racer!! i.e. if he were a miner by chance, he would dig a trench underground, but no, it's not mature.
- Next. Why on a car (having more than 1000 hp), which, according to the analytical center, is faster than any helicopter, the villain does not manage to escape from a police helicopter by perfectly smooth, straight highways? There was no sniper who would solve the issue of chase with one shot, even on wheels. About ambushes of 4 cars and 6 cops I do not say at all.
- Well, a coup, probably an armored SUV, by putting a corvette under its wheels is the most fake scene. All sports cars that are considered sports cars are stripped of a composite, and we see that the hood is clearly not inferior to the armor of the BTR-80. And in general, to deal with gangsters on the Kales is the lot of Bryan O'Coner.
- As always, there were a couple of dorky characters, and if the young salag cop at least somehow was appropriate, then the character of Knoxville seemed superfluous, why were in this film his smeared on glass face and outfit ala “I escaped from Kashchenko” is not clear.
Of course, there were some advantages. For example, the Tarantin blood, added cruelty to the scoundrels, although the thug was torn into mince with a signal rocket launcher too. The corn chase diluted the template action a little. The classic ending.
Is the hero back? Physically yes, the rest of the Schwartz that shone in the 80-90s is not. This film is not his format. The scenes where he is wearing droplets, the only thing left in his head from the image of Sheriff Owens, because it was postponed that somewhere we have already seen it.
I'll give you a grade of 3 out of 10, but those 3 are just for old Arnie's work.
This movie is worth watching for one simple reason. This is the reason for Arnold Schwarzenegger, and his first major role after such a long break. One of the main characters of the action movie has returned and that is all. But, unfortunately, one big name in the credits can not fully ensure the success of the film, since the modern viewer has become capricious, and old Arnie for many is not an idol. Now that action movies have reached a new, higher level, where guys like Jason Statham rule, it is very difficult for films with Schwarzenegger to find their audience.
“The Return of the Hero” is quite edible and quite high-quality action movie. But something is missing. What is missing is the dynamism of the main character. Frankly, Schwarzenegger has long been not the same as before, years make themselves felt. The viewer needs the last hero of the action movie, the Terminator, who breaks the windshield with his fist, the invincible and unbroken machine on which a whole generation of moviegoers grew up. And now he’s just an old man who can put out a few jokes and end up with a good fight scene, but is otherwise helped by younger stars.
As for the film as a whole, as mentioned above, everything is quite standard. Action level, shooting is quite convincing, the plot is not bad, but a little unrealistic. Anyway, you can see it.
This is how I describe my impressions of this film. I counted on it as a Saturday movie "beer" - in fact, from the point of view of cinema, as an art, it probably is, but only here the "spark" is clearly present in it. Cinema did not seem to me dull, boring, devoid of any content. Yes, the characters here do not experience deep spiritual throwing, do not engage in self-digging, but, at the same time, this is a wonderful combination of the “good old” strong action movie with an excellent share of jokes in the style of “you ruined my weekend” and qualitatively staged combat scenes. The plot of depth, of course, does not shine, but in such paintings it is not necessary. There's old Schwartz, an awfully bad drug lord, plus Georgette, Henrietta, and Maxime, enough to rest in front of the screen. Undoubtedly a fitting return of the Governor to the cinema. Of course, without sweaty biceps, a different age, a different format of the role, but Grandpa Arnie, even having acquired a belly, decently holds the punch.
A decade or more ago, the uncompromising Arnie Schwartz shone on the big screen, crushing all the enemies in his path, firing the most noble guns, waving the largest knives. Surprisingly, this charisma attracted many from small to great, but suddenly Arnie disappeared from the screens somewhere, and his place was taken by thin, thin actors who did not show intelligible play in high-quality action films.
Meanwhile, Arnold was getting cameo roles in a second-rate movie, which made me very sad. Years go by. Schwartz is aging before our eyes and, alas, this process cannot be reversed and we will not see the good old terminator with his famous phrase: "I'll be back." It's a pity, it's a pity.
Ten years later, Arnie is back on screen as a good guy. In the film called “The Last Stand”, known in Russia as “The Return of the Hero”.
Frankly, this movie didn’t even save Schwartz. The movie turned out tasteless in all respects: plot, selection of actors, soundtrack, camera work (!!!) And what does it say, if I personally watched the film was quite boring. It is sad to say that Arnold Schwarzenegger has lost his charisma accumulated over the years. There is nothing left of the Terminator, whom I adored as a child.
I don’t care if I’m talking about Arnold rather than the movie, but he’s the nail of the program. Throughout the picture, Arnie walks with a stone face, waving his huge arms and firing a machine gun. If there is a piece of expressive play in this gray marsh, it will be Johnny Knoxville, with his comic role in the film, and there is nothing to say about the rest. Whitaker was not given enough screen time to consider his play.
There's nothing to talk about. A typical Hollywood stamp.
I guess that's it. I'm sorry for my childhood hero, sometimes I want a real return of Arnie "Steel muscles" on the screens. .
The triumphant return of Schwarzenegger. This is how the entire marketing campaign aimed at promoting this film could be described. Of course, here we were promised a sea of wild action, just like in the good old days, although at the time of the announcement there were too many uncomfortable questions, because after all, you need to distinguish between past merits and current attempts.
Since we decided to push on the cast, then we will start with it: in fact, Arnie himself acted almost on second roles, since he was absolutely uninteresting as a character - too boring and predictable, although this applies to almost all the persons involved. From Peter Stormare came a noble villain, perhaps it was worth it to make and at all the main antagonist, this young "king" generally strongly resembled a very bad jester, and Johnny Knoxville embodied all the madness and fun of the project, however, it was still not enough. It is better not to talk about the rest.
Straight as a trumpet, the plot drives into utter despondency after 15-20 minutes of real time, there is not a single twist - it's just such a thick clumsy machine, which is ashamed to look at. Approximately the same feelings are caused by the amazing dullness of each of the first: what a fool it is necessary to be to shout a cop in the voice on a suspiciously empty road, crowded with cars, the policeman and for some reason hides behind a car with a gun at the ready ... apparently, childhood remembered.
The Last Stand is a disappointing film, if you do not want to waste your nerves, then go around a kilometer.
5 out of 10
So it's time for me to write a few lines about this movie and Iron Arnie! The movie Return of the Hero... After 10 years, he's back. And I must say that I returned well! to be honest, then for 10 years I have already somehow become indifferent to this name... Arnold... Schwarzenegger became the governor of California. There are no more movies with him... well, we’re used to it! And here you go, sign. He came back the way he always did in movies: swift and “brain-proof”! but let’s go in order, as always.
Okay. The drug lord is sneaking away from the FBI, and they are naturally trying to catch up! Nothing at all. And the path of this Cortez lies through a small town, the sheriff of which is an elderly ex-cop, and considering that this is Arnie, there is innovation. It's an idyll in town! Two: looking at it for the first forty minutes of the film, there is no nostalgia for 80-90 years! No her. Just somehow just showed it for the first time in the frame. I got out of the car and went for coffee. I didn’t even shake, well, as you know, there are goosebumps and all that! however, there is one point after all (I’m just about the first half of the film): That's when Owens turned around, sitting behind the bar, to the bad guys! Here!!! and how did he do it? if you don't remember, look again. The camera is from the back, and it slowly turns its head in their direction to the shoulder. And then there's the look on Arnold's face in the nineties! These are the moments you should pay attention to! on this we grew up, these movements we know by heart. And it will make smiles... those people who grew up on such action movies 80-90 years! Thank you to Kim Ji Un for this photo.
In general, as always. Almost! Arnie has more friends here than ever! If you logically estimate, then Schwarzenegger is not young, and naturally it is not easy for him to cope with a crowd of gangsters. Not the Terminator after all. The second part of the film is much more dynamic than the first. That's where it starts! Here and action, and Schwartz in all its glory! By the way, I have to talk about humor, too. Knoxville's character turned out well. I wouldn’t say that he was given a lot of screen time, but I laughed from him, especially when he was carried by a wounded man on his shoulder, followed by a helmet. It's a little nice!
Oh, sorry about Jerry. I had hoped until the last that he would survive. But to some extent, I agree with the director that things don’t always have to go smoothly without the good guys dying. It wouldn’t be interesting, believe me. What kind of showdowns and shootouts, when everyone is alive in films of this rank!? It would be stereotypical. and then... I’m sure that when Ray looks in the car and sees Jerry dead and the subsequent scene when he brings him to the station... there would probably be a particularly impressionable even a tear (most likely the audience of the girl).
What else do you need to say about this? there are a couple of lines. After all, no matter how twisted, like movies do not make in our time, action movies, in the 21st century, they will still be films of the 21st century! No, I'm not saying they're bad. Absolutely not. I'm just saying something else. Now the shooting quality is tens of times better, more colorful, special effects are cooler in general incredible as well. Just the atmosphere of militants 20-30 years ago with all these technical bells can not convey. Yes, everything looks Cooler and Brighter right now, and it's great for our time when the way we think about film is changing. But you and I will still remember the time when we waited in front of the screens of Die Hard, Cobra or True Lies! From the pictures-fighters even smelled of some awe or something, some of its charm... But despite all this I have said, in the action films of our modern times, one can still trace the mysterious connection that will connect us, who have already grown up and grown old, with the eternally young ones of the same Nut or Marion Cobretti. And I'll give you that connection. I’ll give you an example of this on “The Return of the Hero.” Here she is: It's Arnold Schwarzenegger!!! Iron, unbroken Arnold. We grew up with these action superheroes, and we lived with them for decades. And no matter how difficult in technical terms, the action film would not be... what is there, an action movie, an ordinary action movie in which our idols of childhood or youth are filmed, it is through these names that we immediately feel a connection with old militants. That’s why we will feel and compare “this” and “this”, because they star Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Sly, Jean Claude and so on.
As long as they exist, then we will still watch movies with them, whatever they may be, interesting or not very, because these people are idols of the past ... and the present too! And their films are the property of cinema for all time.
In conclusion, I want to say a few words about the final scene of the fight between Ray and Cortez. Thanks again to the director! we were introduced to Arnie, who is already an elderly man, who fights Cortez with certain efforts, it is difficult for him, you can see it in all movements. And how hard he was winning, I liked it. I appreciate such realistic moments. He won . . . no one doubted it, but it was with great difficulty that he won! and that is the whole point of this scene . . . to show not exactly what he won, but how he did it. It was difficult! But he's still a hero, he's back, even though he's aged. But his eyes remained so young and fresh, they say. I'm not young anymore, but at heart I'm the Arnold Schwarzenegger you're used to! Nice ending.
And perhaps the last. Honestly, let's say P.S. Agree, unusual and somehow pleasant funny was to see the elderly Arnold behind the lamb of a new and sparkling Camaro). All this shiny and brand-new car and the stern and focused Arnold Schwarzenegger at the helm... this has never happened before. The highlight of this movie!
Watch the movie yourself and put it in my words. Maybe something will match and something won’t, but the way I’ve described it just means that’s how I see this movie! Thank you very much. There will be no numerical estimates, it will be just...
On the wide screens after 10 years returns the terminator of all Hollywood Arnold Schwarzenegger. And even if he is not so young, but his desire to act in films did not fade. The return of an old hero is always interesting, but here’s how to make this comeback memorable for the viewer, it’s a must.
A brutal and dangerous gang of drug dealers, who kept the entire criminal business in the city, escapes from the FBI convoy. Taking a civilian hostage, they steal an armored van to cross the border with Mexico. The last obstacle that they have to pass is a quiet provincial town, where order is monitored by an outwardly unremarkable sheriff named Owens.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to fully show the viewer that he is back. However, he cannot make the film because of his old age. Undoubtedly, Arnie is a great actor whose name will forever shine in the golden frame of Hollywood.
Johnny Knoxville is the only comedian who tries to make the audience smile a little.
The plot of the film is spelled out as good old action movies 80-90. A very confused movie came out, where three stories are intertwined. Kim Ji-un tried to film Arnie’s return as much as possible, but instead the film twists the plot between the FBI and a dangerous criminal. The hero himself is terribly small in the film, which is very sad, but nevertheless he will have a chance to crow and shoot and I was glad to see him in action, albeit old.
"Hero Returns" - the film is shot according to all the rules of the action movie, in it you will not find anything new and special. The most common passing action movie, but with Schwarzenegger, which means that it is still worth watching to give the great veteran a movie.
Well, our hero Schwarzenegger is back after a 10-year stagnation since Terminator 3. Not the hero I expected to see. In general, his heroism lies at least in the appearance in an action film in the leading role.
Personally, I was only worried about the appearance of the long-awaited Arnold in this film (the role in the Expendables does not count). A hero of old childhood action movies back on screen, Terminator 3 was a posh action movie. But years still take their toll. The actor, like the film industry, has changed dramatically. The schwartz is old. Yes, only the same Stallone, senior for the year of his “colleague” keeps the bar, and makes good films both in terms of acting and directing, and even looks amazing.
Schwartz looks like a museum exhibit in the film. In fights, it seems that he is about to hurt himself, his face is very ridiculous when he holds a weapon. Of course, he wants to look more brutal and “like before”, but he is simply not the same. During the governorship, he lost all his charisma, charm, brutality - and most importantly, his acting skills. All his emotions are so “primitive”, the text reads as if on paper. The director tries to make it funny and funny as before, but instead it looks childish, and speeches are extremely formulaic. But here's the bad luck, all the time there was a feeling that Arnold here is not the main character, in the film scenes with his participation took half the timekeeping. The rest went to secondary characters.
By the way, this whole picture is one huge stereotype - a policeman "find me a criminal", a retired sheriff, a funny incompetent officer, an extremely stereotyped villain who was not given at least a modicum of interest, although Eduardo Noriego is a very talented guy.
The only good thing about the movie was the funny role of Johnny Knoxville. It was a pity that it was not enough.
The directorial work in the action scenes is very good, and even looked unusual chase on a cornfield, but the film flew more slowly as soon as you wanted to yawn.
As a result, the return of the hero (thanks to Russian localizers) did not work. Arnold is far from the same. During the years of political activity, he lost all his charm, charisma and acting talent. Whether he is catching up against the background of modern action actors – I very much doubt.
6 out of 10