MOVIE REVIEW - The Last Stand

It's been a while since Arnold Schwarzenegger has made a feature movie. So The Last Stand is his first starring role since his stint as Governor of California ended.

The Last Stand actually has a real nice cast that not only includes Arnold, but Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and others. Arnold is back in an action role that is the classic underdog story of good versus extreme evil.  I know, Arnold is well into his 60's now, but these aging action heroes still making movies have developed a nice sense of humor about themselves, and help to give these movies a bit of tongue and cheek.

TLS is the story of a Mexican Drug Lord and his escape from the FBI in the deep southwest of the United States.   His elaborate run-for-the-border story starts with him driving a hopped up Corvette at speeds of 200 mph from Las Vegas to the Mexican line in Southern Arizona.   His plan is to cross the border and evade trial in America.   After leaving a trail of carnage in his wake, the final challenge is to make it through a sleepy border town where Sheriff Ray Owens (Schwarzenegger) is in charge.

Owens is a former highly decorated Los Angeles cop who became fed up with the death and corruption of LA, so he moved to this little Arizona town to be the law.  Owens finds out that this kingpin in coming through his town, so he assembles a loyal small town squad made of those not used to this kind of action to stop this drug lord from coming through this town. The happens after one of their own deputy's is killed by one of the drug lords men.  Owens, a man of honor, vows revenge and to stop him for the FBI.

First, this is a typical high violence action movie. There is a ton over the top violence, with gun play really in the lead. But, even though there is a bunch of it, I would not call it gratuitous, I would call it heavy, but there are not an unending supply of fresh bad guys to kill like in many movies.  This is a movie that is being released at a very interesting time, as this showcases a ton of private weaponry, and ammunition.

There is a bunch of killing in this movie, and an exceptionally long gun battle scene near the end that probably could have been compacted some.   Plus, there is some humor here.  Some of it works and some does not.  Less would probably have been more in this case.  And there is the typical silly character or two, that adds little.  But the character of Owens and Arnold's handling of this character  embracing his advanced age is pretty fun.  And, you like this sheriff.  You would want him in your town.

There are some fun, very well done scenes in this movie and this moves along pretty well.   It could have been edited a bit tighter and shortened down some, and a few better decisions could have been made along the way.  But overall, this is what it is.   It's a guys movie where there is lots going on at virtually all times.  It's loud and crass at times.   But it's saving grace is the story.  Behind all the explosions and gun play, I liked the story.  Plus, for me it was good to see Schwarzenegger back on the screen, especially when he doesn't run from who he really is.

The Last Stand.  Classic story formula, classic action hero with some new bells and whistles.   Guy fun.