The Last Stand Directed by: Kim Jee-woon Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville Rating: Not Yet Rated Release Date: January 18, 2013
TRAILER SCORE: 8/10
Thoughts by TSR: He warned us he’d be back. After two terms as California’s governor – and brief appearances in The Expendables and its sequel – he’s making good on that promise. I really didn’t know what to expect from Arnold’s return as a leading man. Kim Jee-woon serving as his director gave me hope – I Saw the Devil is a stunning piece of filmmaking – but sometimes making the jump to English-language films isn’t the smoothest of transitions. No, The Last Stand doesn’t look as memorable as Kim’s earlier films. With a few exceptions, however, it looks like a perfectly enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours at the movies.
One of those exceptions is Johnny Knoxville. An annoying sidekick is something of a staple in this type of film, and Knoxville is filling that role with his usual obnoxiousness. He might be enough to sink it if the rest of the trailer wasn’t so entertaining. Luckily, one Jackass isn’t near enough to ruin a film that features a showdown between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Peter Stormare. Those two are what I’m most excited about, but this does a good job of selling some of the film’s humor as well. It’s amusing to see Schwarzenegger poke a little bit of fun at his age – “How are you, sheriff?” ”Old.” – and Greendale’s favorite son, Luis Guzmán, will surely bring a laugh or two to the table.
I’m not expecting a classic along the lines of The Terminator, but as a January release The Last Stand will do just fine. Nice to have you back, Mr. Schwarzenegger.