Collateral damage(mil): civilian casualities and destruction as a result of a military action.
Had COLLATERAL DAMAGE been released after the attack it would have had a poor reception but then everything in show business
slowed right down after September 11. It was too difficult to even consider going out to be entertained while all this horror existed. How
could one go out and laugh at a comedy or even accept the exaggerated style of an action movie. There it was, the real thing slapping us in
the face, every minute on our television screen. Fiction had been out matched by reality. It took a long time for things to get back to normal
in the entertainment industry but eventually they did and finally Warner Brothers announced it's release of COLLATERAL DAMAGE.
"It's called collateral damage."
When the script was first written the hero of the film was to be a basketball coach but and then over objections by studio executives, the hero
was made a firefighter. The execs did not believe at the time that firemen heroic enough. All together now, let's say it..."HUH?" Even before
the attack these guys risked their lives everytime they went to a fire; can you believe some people actually believed that tripe. Well I guess
they see it differently now and I'm sure they are probably taking the credit for the change.
"The bottom line is justice for your wife and son isn't a priorty right now."
Right off the top here, I have to say that the explosion that kills the heros family is no where near what happened in reality. It seemed a bit
anti-climatical of course but that will be the way it is going to be in films; reality had out done Hollywood. Someone out there at this momment
is saying nope that is not the case. Alright then let's take a moment to go back to 1974 when a film was released that garnered eight
Academy Award Nominations and won three. The film was Irwin Allen's THE TOWERING INFERNO. The heroes of that movie were,
you guessed it firefighters. It seems that the studio execs involved in COLLATERAL DAMAGE were too young to have seen this
highly successful movie or they would never had said something so ridiculous. It was an awesome movie starring the late Steve McQueen as
the fire chief. The movie is probably the closest thing that you will see today of what it was probably like inside the Twin Towers. Where
it was once entertainment, today it would be very hard to watch but if you want to see a stellar cast in the first of a string of disaster movies
from the 70's then THE TOWERING INFERNO has to be on the top of your list.
"The bombing is in self defense of oppression in Colombia."
Putting this aside it is important to note that COLLATERAL DAMAGE is an excellent movie and it deserves to do well. Right now
the message it delivers is important in many ways. As Arnold Schwarzenegger was quoted, "People want to see positive movies. They want
to see movies where the terrorists get their ass kicked in the end, where there's a positive outcome of good over evil, because in real life it's
not as clear cut." I'm going to jump off from here to make it clear that what he said is correct, but, that is not the entire message of the film.
Director Andrew Davis took on the film and quickly made changes. He wanted Arnold as a firefighter and he wanted the scenes
changed from Libya to Colombia. He had enough of Arab bashing movies and besides Scharzenegger had done that before. He did want to
film it in Colombia to point a light in the direction of what was going on down in that country. He wanted to let us know of how the United States
is involved in that country since most of us do not have a clue of what is really going on down there. The movie points out how the United
States is damaging that country in it's war on drugs. The CIA who seem to come off as bad as the villians in this movie have down irrepairable
damage to a beautiful country and it's people. There is a reasonable balance and a lesson in this film, that shows us that other countries lose
families as well because of our interference in their lives. Whether we are right or wrong is not something Davis dwells on in this movie; instead
he shows us both sides but unfortunately after what happened on Septmeber 11 the audience will only care about what has been done to us.
I am a believer in staying out of other countries and away from their problems. I do not think that we should go over to other countries and
interfere as it only ends up costing us. I doubt very much if we would appreciate agents of other governments coming to our countries and trying
to get rid of our gangsters and interfering in our legal processes and in doing so cause our citizens to be killed. If you have to do something then
just make it clear to their ruling governments that until the problems that we find offensive as solved, we will not trade with them or allow our
citizens to go there. This won't work you say. Well it seems to have against Cuba. The US has embargoed them for years and I don't see them
coming over here blowing up our buildings. Here let me kick my soapbox away.
"Americans have forgotten the reality of war."
The best thing about this film, is seeing Schwarzenegger act like a real person out to avenge the death of his family. Gordon Brewer is not
interested in anyone's politics, he just wants revenge for the death of his wife and son. He is not trying to make a political statement or work with
any government agency. The way he goes about it seems as real as they are allowed to make it in an action film.
The big guy, I am happy to say, does not shoot one gun in this movie and nor does he spout one hackneyed pun. He does nearly bite the ear off
one guy, and wields a mean axe...hey he's a fireman remember. His weapons are what he knows about from his occupation. He sets off
explosions using light bulbs filled with gasoline and other homemade fire related traps. Gordon Brewer's only failing is that he cares to much; he
is really a gentle giant, so much so that when a child is put in danger from one of his devices he gets himself captured to save the boy. The child's
life was more important than his revenge.
"A bomb has been placed in your capital city."
The story involves a Colombian freedom fighter, Claudio Perrini, "The Wolf" played by Cliff Curtis, who is out to avenge the atrocities
committed in his homeland by the CIA and DEO. To this end, this mysterious terrorist plans bombings in the United States. His latest
bombing kills Gordon Brewer's wife and son in front of his eyes. Brewer was the only one who actually saw "The Wolf" and after a lot
promises and what seems like inactivity on the part of the FBI, Brewer decides to go after El Lobo himself. What he doesn't know is that
will be getting in the middle of something bigger than him. Still with siome help from friends he manages to arrive in Valencia, Colombia.
"That's the nice thing about Canadians. No one gives a shit about us...we're just flies on the wall."
After a close call with guerrillas he manages to escape but loses his passport which is found by CIA agent Peter Brandt (Elias Koteas). This is one
real dedicated agent who is obsessed with the capture of El Lobo. Meanwhile Brewer makes it to Mompo's Harbour where he has to find
someone with a woirk pass to get up river to reach his goal. During a guerilla attack Brewer saves a woman and her son. The woman is Selena
Perrini played by Francesca Neri and is also the wife of Claudio Perrini, The Wolf. This adventure lands him in jail where he meets a
Canadian prisoner, Sean Armstrong played beautifully by John Turturro. Turturro is always outstanding in any parts he plays. He will be
working well into his old age as he is an excellent character actor. One thing leads to another and after Brewer saves Armstrong from a fire. The
fireman gets to use Armstrong's pass to get up river.
"I just can't process it fast enough. Those silicon valley geeks must be e-mailing it to each other."
In San Pablo, Brewer meets up with his new boss Felix Ramirez from the US. He is quick talking drug processor for the drug lords, played
nicely by John Leguizamo. I'm going to stop here because I don't want to give you too much that will give away the interesting twists
in the film. Needless to say that after much goings on the story comes to a satisfying conclusion back in the United States. There are a few
good surprises that I'm sure will keep you entertained and maybe surprised.
"Why are you taking care of me?"
"You saved my son."
"He killed mine."
As an adventure story it is fine but somewhat contrived at times. This of course is par for the course for this type of film. The acting in the film isn't
anything special but there are lots of guns going off amid the countless explosions, that should keep you entertained if you are into this type of
movie. I think that the scenes with Turtorro were the best and those with Leguzomo as well, the rest were adequate.
"You make quite a team. The fireman and the refugee."
Just before I go, one litte observation, that I'm sure lots of people have noticed, and is brought up in the film. Americans convicted of drug
possession can go to jail for life and yet killers can get paroled after 10 years. Hey kill someone, but for God's sake don't do drugs. Are we
screwed up or what...WHOAH!! People who govern should get their priorities straight or maybe we should be using our votes a little better.
"Catain Brewer remains unavailable for comment."
When I went to the advance screening of COLLATERAL DAMAGE at Warner Brothers there was a big Humvee outside all painted up
as a huge poster with Arnold Schwarzenegger's face all over it. I really liked that promotional piece which is obviousy aimed at the he-man in
us guys. I have to give WB credit for an excellent promotional idea. So watch the streets for the promotional humvee for COLLATERAL
DAMAGE and then go see this film. It is money well spent if you are into this type of movie. Pass the popcorn and stop sipping my drink,
already.
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