Eraser (1996)

Director: Chuck Russell
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vanessa Williams, James Caan

Synopsis:
A US marshal must protect the witness in his custody from a conspiracy.

Impressions:
After a series of missteps, Arnold Schwarzenegger's career wasn't looking so hot mid-90s, but this film represents a refreshing return to form with kind of movie that made him famous. In many ways it hearkens back to the heyday of the big dumb action movies of the 80s and if you're a fan of that kind of movie, there's a lot too love. Big action, dramatic set pieces, plenty of explosions, and a bombastic score by Alan Silvestri. While the man-portable railguns at the center of the plot may not be in any way scientifically feasible, they're really cool and are a big part of what makes the climax so memorable. As you might imagine for the time period, a lot of the CG doesn't hold up so well (the alligators were straight uncanny valley even back in the day), but it isn't used so heavily to be that much of a distraction. Besides heavy-hitters like Schwarzenegger and James Caan, there are a lot of recognizable character actors on display, which is fun. If you're looking for classic-style Schwarzenegger action, this one's definitely worth seeing.

Rating:
Watch It