The film's basic story focuses on a special
witness protection and relocation program. When a female witness's
life is threatened, she goes on the run with her Federal protector.
U.S. John Kruger (Arnold), while assigned to
protect a Cyrez Corporation employee Lee Culled (Vanessa Williams)
who is the star witness for the F.B.I., scheduled to testify
against a scam going on at her company. When someone tries to
kill them both, Kruger has the daunting challenge to keep both
of them alive and investigate his co-workers as well, as he
suspects that someone close to him is intimately involved with
the scam, due to clues that he realize point to someone within
his own organization.
The special effects are entertaining, helping
the audience to believe the storyline, and the fantastic action
sequences involving manly man Arnold and the dastardly bad guys.
How Marshal John erases Lee's identity from all records, and
how people are hunted down using heat-seeking, infrared, high
tech weapons / equipment are two examples where special effects
were used. However, my favorite scene takes place mid-air. After
jumping out of a plane with a parachute, Arnold must dodge the
plane as it circles around and attempts to "run him down."
The action and FX in this sequence are great.
Arnold plays his role of U. S. Marshall John
Kruger, with much aplomb, and skill, as he has done many action
heroes in various films, and puts his best foot forward in this
one.
This is the first big screen role for singer
("Colors of the Wind") Vanessa Williams. She makes
an attractive screen heroine, and has good chemistry with Arnold.
James Coburn is good in a small role as Big Arnold's boss. Coburn
came to huge fame in the 60s as super spy Flint ("Our Man
Flint," "In Like Flint").
Screen veteran James Caan, who usually can be relied upon to
deliver a good performance, i s a bit over the top in his portrayal
of Robert Deguerin, and needed to be reined in a little by the
director, Russell. But, in action yarns, the bad villains often
explode onto the screen in their evilness, coming across almost
cartoonish; complete with the bulging eyes, way too much for
emphasis.
Action film enthusiasts and Arnold fans should
love this movie. The R rating should tell parents that the film
is violent, and also has plenty of salty language, typically
found in action flicks. Definitely not for children.
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