ERASER
A film review by Larry McGillicuddy
Copyright 1996 Larry McGillicuddy
*** Dir.- Charles Russell Cast- Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Vanessa Williams, James Caan, Robert Pastorelli, James Coburn, James Cromwell
Suspension of disbeleif is a necessity when watching an action movie. For an action movie to be entartaining, it has to feature some things that are implausible. Arnold Schwarzeneggar has been in Hollywood for for a decade and a half now, mostly in action movies. Many of them were implausible. Remember Commando? He took out an entire army by himself. This works in Arnolds favor, because the majority of the viewing public has come to accept that Arnold can do things in a movie that others cannot. So when he gets shot in the shoulder and manages to get back up and fight like nothing is wrong, it is easier for us to suspend our disbeleif because its Arnold.
Arnold plays an FBI agent who erases people's identities so they can testify at trials. His latest assignment is Vanessa Williams, who plays a computer expert that is asked by the FBI to download some secret information about arms smuggling that could get some big names in Washington into serious trouble. She completes her task and Arnold is assigned to erase her identity. Thats when the fun begins.
There are some intersting twists and turns in Erasers plot. The plot is much more entertaining than Mission Impossible's, for an example. And as you come to expect from an Arnold movie, there are some great stunts and special effects, such as a scene in a zoo with some nasty and hungry alligators, and a scene where Arnold goes head to head with a plane. The plane sequence would've been laughable with any other actor in the role, but its Arnold, so I began to think Arnold should pick on someone, or something his own size.
While Arnold is doing his action hero best here, he is also surrounded by a great supporting cast. James Coburn is dignified in the role of Arnolds boss. Vanessa Williams gives you everything you'd expect from an action movie heroine, and does it better than most. James Caan is a terrific villain. Best of all is Robert Pastorelli, someone Arnold erased so he could testify against the mafia, and who Arniold enlists to help him out. Pastorelli is a funny and charming sidekick. Direcot Charles Russell doesnt bring anything new to this movie, but he definitely has energy. He gives us what we expected, and what we wanted. If you're a fan of Arnold, or action movies in particular, here is a movie you will enjoy.
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