"Collateral Damage" is your basic revenge plot.

      First you have the crime. In this part you establish the hero and his loved ones and terminate their happiness with an awful crime. Not just any crime, however, no, it's something the hero cannot defend. Either he is not present or is restrained...in this case, it's a little bit of both.

      Secondly, the hero goes through the traditional methods of action, i.e., the police, etc., which do nothing to provide the satisfaction our hero needs. So he plots his own revenge. There's always some resistance from our hero's friends but since when does our hero always listen--or have to-- his friends?

      Lastly, you've got the confrontation. If there's more than one bad guy, then the biggest and baddest of them all must come last. Basic common sense. The confrontation has to be worth it. It has to be something that is difficult and challenges the hero. Our hero shouldn't be equipped with the necessary skills to carry this out. Or else it will be boring and predictable, which needless to say, "Collateral Damage" is.

      Okay, maybe that's a little harsh, because it's not really a boring movie per say, but it is predictable. Now, I never saw any previews yet I knew that Gordon Brewer's wife and kid were going to die. Too predictable. The thing that irks me the most is what happens at the end. Without giving too much away--doubt anybody cares anyway--Gordon Brewer befriends a Colombian boy. What's wrong with that, you say? Well I got the sensation that Arnold, err I mean Gordon Brewer is replacing his late son with an orphan Colombian kid. Now there's nothing wrong with adoption, but it all seems to be happening a bit too fast.

      Overall, this is a good popkorn flick, but it's not the best story and it surely doesn't come close to any of Arnold's previous films...well it does best "End of Days". If you really like Arnold, then check this out, otherwise, go see "Brotherhood of the Wolf" for a much better action story.

     -- James ( 2 1/2 out of 4 pops )

Talk about this film with other Popkorn Junkies

      Billy Ray ( 4 out of 4 pops )

      I'll be the first to say Arnold Schwarzenegger is not the greatest actor in the world and I will be the first to say he is not known for choosing the greatest film roles.  Alas, I will also be the first to admit that Arnold never fails to entertain us.  This is by far the best action film of the year and I doubt anything will top it.  Forget "Brotherhood of the Wolf", forget "Lord of the Rings", and forget "The Count of Monte Cristo"--they are all great movies, but none of them contain that good old fashioned action movie feel, not like "Collateral Damage".  It reminds us of the days when action films were always topping the box office and lack of plot didn't matter because there were plenty of guns and guys with big muscles.  This film is kind of an homage to those films in the way that it takes the situation with terrorism and turns it into an entertaining farce about a man dead set on revenge.  I am glad this film was delayed, because it comes at the best possible time, and will hopefully revive a genre which September 11 could have obliterated.  Filled with explosive fight scenes, outstanding stunt work, and your basic Arnold routine, "Collateral Damage" is one hell of a popcorn flick and just what this country needs to see.  I repeat--this is THE best action film of the year and will not be likely bested.  You may ask yourself--why in the world is he recommending an Arnold movie so highly.  I would respond by saying, "I appreciate movies and I would hate to see a genre as vital as action/adventure be swept under the carpet."  Go see this film.  Keep action alive.

      Matt ( 2 out of 4 pops ) 

   I've always loved Arnold's work, so please don't take it too harshly when I say this is Arnold's worst movie.  It's not an entirely bad film, but it doesn't have the excitement and humor that make his films delightful. The plot is far-fetched, and full of odd coincidences.  The characterizations are thin.  It does end with a pretty nifty twist, though.  And the climactic action sequence is the highlight of the film.  But as for the rest of the movie...there's a lot of action, but little excitement.  Andrew Davis (who directed "The Fugitive") did the best he could, with a weak script. I guess Arnold was trying to flaunt his dramatic chops.  This is a more serious role than he's used to.  But I still miss his funny one-liners!  He only says two really funny lines in the whole film!  I still crack up thinking back to the scene from "True Lies" in which his terrorist enemy is hanging off the edge of a missile and Arnold says "You're fired," which is exactly what happens as he fires the missile and sends the terrorist flying through the air like "The Rocketeer".  Now THAT'S the kind of Arnold I want to see!  Many people criticized "End of Days" for its silly, preposterous storyline.  But I loved the film!  Why?  Because it was tongue-in-cheek and never took itself seriously.  This is a second-rate action flick that feels too smug to make fun of itself, and for that reason it borders on dull. This is only slightly enjoyable action fluff that I found really disappointing, especially since the release date was pushed so far.  I wanted to see this movie when it was supposed to come out last September, but as time went by my anticipation grew.  Let's just hope "Big Trouble" (which also got its release date pushed) isn't another disappointment.  This movie is worth renting, but only worth seeing for the biggest die-hard Arnold fans.  And I'm a big Arnold fan myself!