If you're a big fan of subtlety, intricate story lines and wonderfully developed characters, then you'll be a big fan of "Collateral Damage." One would expect a Schwarzenegger movie to be full of corny one liners, a loose plot and a lot of meaningless explosions and death. But that's not the case in this triumphant piece of cinema. That is, if you'd call trash triumphant.
The movie begins with a touching sequence where firefighter and father, Gordon Brewer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is holding his 7-year-old son in the shower and soaping him up. What could possibly be a more stirring way to portray father-son bonds then to shower together? "Hey, pass the soap, yeah." However, this loving relationship with his son and wife can't last forever, and it sadly comes to an end when a terrorist known as "El Lobo" (Cliff Curtis) plants a bomb for some government officials that also takes out Brewer's family.
In order to clarify who was responsible for the bombing, the movie then moves on to a chilling scene where the terrorist, dressed somewhat like Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget, makes a horrific rant against America and our weak and putrid values. The rant only makes Brewer angrier, and he begins to plan his individual assault on Colombia.
But before going to Colombia, Brewer has some business to take care of at home. After the bombing, a meaningless and otherwise unknown guy says during an interview, "Civilian casualties are just collateral damage." The movie then exquisitely jumps to Brewer busting in the door to the office and screaming out, "You want collateral damage? I'll give you collateral damage!" He then proceeds to destroy the entire office with his fists and a handy baseball bat. Thankfully, the guy does not press charges.
After this, Brewer does some very in-depth research on the situation in Colombia. He checks the well-designed terrorist Web page while sipping from his coffee mug bedecked in American flags. God Bless America!
Then a former Colombian operative comes to give Brewer advice and is thoroughly impressed that Brewer has discovered a backdoor way into Colombia. You see, Brewer has consulted a map and found out that Panama (brilliantly understood to be another country) rests next to Columbia. Brewer can't fly into Columbia, but he comes up with the brilliant plan of flying into Panama and walking into Colombia. The operative is so impressed he seriously exclaims, "Wow, you've really done your research." Indeed he has.
After all that brainwork Brewer is now ready to flex his muscles down in Colombia. Suffice it to say, the search for the guerilla base is an epic odyssey of very believable and clever events. Now come events so realistic and fantastic that I don't want to ruin your movie going experience by delving into them here.
This movie also is rare in its ability to address deep moral issues. The head terrorist, El Lobo (who closely resembles Balki Bartaukamus from "Perfect Strangers") says, "What makes you any different from me? We're both willing to kill for a cause." It seems like a reasonable and thought provoking question, and Brewer quickly shows he's got more than just muscle. He immediately replies, "I'm not like you ... I'm only willing to kill you." He then promptly squeezes El Lobo's testicles, and simultaneously jumps up and bites off someone else's ear. He then spits it out in one of the most beautiful sequences in film history. It's great to know that although insanity can keep Mike Tyson from the boxing ring, it cannot keep him from finding work as a film advisor.
Then there comes the surprise ending. And what a surprise it is! If you can open your eyes you'll see it coming 10 minutes in advance. Although I won't say exactly how the movie ends, I will say that Brewer ultimately is rewarded the Medal of Freedom from the President of the United States. Apparently murderous vengeance is something to be lauded.
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In addition to the key aspects I've already touched on, this movie also has many intricate details that will please viewers and leave them wanting more. Some such elements include every character in the film simply referring to Brewer as "the fireman," and the fact that this fireman has no problem at all in gaining access to the highest security CIA meetings. Just great writing all around.
Coming at the end here, I think it also might be relevant to point out that two people left the theater in the middle of this movie. Apparently, some people just don't have the patience or mental capacity to follow such stunning subtlety in character and plot development.
In conclusion, I'd recommend just about any other movie ever made.
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