In one of the articles on the success of Arnold Schwarzenegger, its author wrote that the star made his own acting limitations his greatest virtues, which distinguished him from other, often more talented actors. Arnie usually played 100% tough guys in fantasy movies, so on his birthday we have prepared for you a list of his most important and unforgettable roles.
Qauid – Absolute Memory
Total Recall, is probably one of the most intricate productions in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career. The film is based on the short story We will remind you in bulk by Philip K. Dick. The action is set in the 21st century, humanity managed to leave Earth and colonize Mars. The journey to the red planet is a great dream of the protagonist – both in the story and in the movie – Doug Quaid (played, of course, by the former governor of California). However, our hero, as a worker with average earnings, is unable to afford such a journey. This is where the Rekal corporation comes in, providing quite unusual services. It offers its clients memory implantation procedures, which give the impression of fulfilling dreams and experiencing extraordinary adventures. During the procedure, however, something strange happens (as if uploading someone else’s memories wasn’t unusual enough anymore). It turns out that Quaid has artificially added memories already in his head. Moreover, he was once on the fourth planet from the sun. The main character is going through an identity crisis. To find out who he really is and save his life, Doug must travel to Mars, where all the answers are.
During the first screening, the viewer may definitely feel a bit confused. Who is the main character really? Is he a secret agent or just a mediocre? Of course, as the plot progresses, more and more of its elements become clear, but the initial confusion will certainly not be forgotten. While the popular Arnie is mostly associated with unforgettable moments from Terminator or Conan , Absolute Recall also has some memorable scenes. Good examples will be the one with the cybernetic mask of a woman from under which the main character emerges, moments with deformed inhabitants of Mars, or the exposure of the human body to the atmosphere of the Red Planet. – Krzysztof Płociński
Kalidor – Red Sonja
In this film, Arnold Schwarzenegger played a role rare for himself. As a supporting character of Kalidor, he had to give way to the red-haired beauty, Brigitte Nielsen, the title Red Sonja. The work of Richard Fleisher was boldly announced as a continuation of the fantasy hits such as Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Destroyer. However, we got an average video with good moments. The acting of the side characters was the weakest point. I don’t buy prince Tarn and Falcon’s jokes, for example. As for the story of Sonja, her people, Kalidor and Queen Gedren, it was on a good, solid level. We got a proven scheme of travel and fight against evil forces. The Nielsen-Schwarzenegger duo complemented each other wonderfully. The actors had to show good physical condition and convince the viewers that although they are initially cold to each other, with time a feeling develops between these two warriors. Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger, especially Conan movies, got a proven product – a hero with a sword. The movie, apart from a few drawbacks, is good to watch. I heartily recommend! – Kamil Sawicki
Hercules – Hercules in New York
It is a key film in Arnie’s film career and, in my opinion, it is sometimes unjustly ignored in many rankings. Hercules, bored with the way of life on Olympus, wants to experience an adventure and meet people for the contemporary moment. In retrospect, references to Schwarzenegger’s life can be found here. In the late 1960s, Arnie won every possible title in bodybuilding. The bodybuilders themselves were considered in society at that time mainly as unimaginative people with inflated muscles and a brain the size of a peanut. Arnold began to break these stereotypes. He daringly conquered Hollywood with films such as Terminator or Predator . However, it should be remembered which title paved the way for him. Hercules in New Yorkit is a picture that may be naive and with many shortcomings, yet it was he who introduced the future action legend Arnold Schwarzenegger to a wider audience. Arnie, like Hercules, blazed an unknown path. People were knocking on the head – Austrian, myoma? Schwarzenegger turned his shortcomings into success. The accent has become his trademark, bodybuilding and fitness have become fashionable among ordinary people, and for film fans it is time to reflect, who is the tougher action movie – he or Stallone? Let’s remember which movie image started Arnie’s great career. Let us not delete Hercules, who is neglected by critics. It is the story of the Olympian hero looking for adventure in New York that gave us the future Governor of California and the legend of cinema. – Kamil Sawicki
T-800 – Terminator 2: Judgment Day
When talking about the iconic roles of Arnold Schwarzenegger, it is impossible not to mention the Terminator . Probably everyone who had access to a TV in the 90s knows at least the first movie in the series and its great sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day . Consequently, also the image of a sinister killer android dressed in a black leather jacket and dark glasses.
Is this the toughest of all Arnold’s tough guys? If we take it literally, we probably do! After all, it’s hard to find anything harder than a packed body made of liquid metal with an almost indestructible skeleton and the ability to self-regenerate. Okay, we know from the movies that the Arnie is an older T-800 model, which in theory is not up to date with its more recent versions – but still, his tenacity and learning ability always allow him to surpass his opponents. So if the world is finally taken over by Skynet or the other Reptilians and we see Judgment Day, I’d definitely like to have this incarnation of Schwarzenegger on my side! – Krzysztof Dzieniszewski
Conan – Conan the Barbarian
The adaptation of the stories by Robert E. Howard, performed by John Milius, is a raw fantasy typical of its time. There is nothing to cheat, it is not a very successful film, but it has one great advantage, in the form of the title role. Arnold Schwarzenegger, as Conan, can use his charisma and charm to enrich a simple flail-like story about brutal revenge for the death of his loved ones. It must also be admitted that the exceptionally muscular actor fits perfectly into the kitschy aesthetics of the film, set in a world where only the one with the largest biceps can survive. Conan performed by Schwarzenegger perfectly fits the words of Friedrich Nietzesche quoted at the beginning: “What does not kill us, makes us stronger”. – Krzysztof Olszamowski
Major Alan „Dutch” Schaeffer – Predator
I don’t remember the first time I watched Predator. It was definitely in the 90s. Dad borrowed a VHS tape from the rental store to see the movie for himself, and of course I accompanied him. There were times when no one was categorizing production and people were less concerned with what the kids were looking at. I remember that I was most impressed by the scene where people were shown flayed! But let’s move on to our star, Arnold Schwarzenegger. How he impressed me years ago. Brave, strong and even coped with an alien! Years later, you change your mind a bit. The title and its main character are more amusing than suspenseful. These scenes full of testosterone and muscles, lyrics like “get to the choppa”, explosions and more dying characters … Of course, only one can survive. I guess Billy Sole knew that because there is no other explanation why he suddenly stopped and cut his chest, thus exposing himself to the opponent. However, it must be admitted that aloneThe Predator was done really well. Even though it’s 1987, the special effects still look good today. And the movie itself looks pretty good. A little distance, a pinch of salt and we can have a great time with Arnold, his package and a visitor from another planet. – Piotr Markiewicz
Victor Fries – Batman and Robin
Once upon a time, I put Batman and Robinamong movies so bad they are good. I still think it fits perfectly there. It’s kitschy and over-the-top, but fun and fun to watch. A lot of credit goes to Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was he who played the role of Dr. Victor Fries, better known as Mr. Freeze. Of course, this character is far from the comic book original. The original bad guy did not have the same sense of humor as the character played by Arnie. And that’s the point. His biscuits, such as “cool party”, “chill out” or “let’s kick some ice” spoken with Arnold’s characteristic accent, laugh more and more with each passing moment. And while some people say that this film shouldn’t be made, I personally think we would lose a lot. Mr. Freeze is a character that has made a permanent mark in the history of cinematography. Is that okay? I’m not complaining! –Piotr Markiewicz
Jack Slater – The hero of the last action
The film The Hero of the Last Actionhe received a total of six Golden Raspberries, including one also for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nevertheless, the main character of the story can be perceived as a real tough guy of the 90s. On the screen, reality mixes with fiction, and everything is lined with self-ironic commentary. On the one hand, we have a boy (Danny Madigan) who uses a magic ticket to travel to the world of his favorite movies. On the other – we observe Arnold, a hard movie cop who does not avoid playing with weapons, crazy chases and adrenaline jumps. The cinematic role of Jack Slater enables the protagonist to exceed the real possibilities of a human being. In one of the unforgettable slow-motion scenes, he lights a cigar while a building explodes in the background. Watching the struggle of the “bad cop”, we will notice many references to earlier films,Terminator , Commando , Predator or Absolute Remembrance . And although it’s just a game with conventions, the Hero of the Last Action is always a pleasure to watch, and Schwarzenegger remains invincible in the perspective of future generations. – Ines Załęska-Olszewska
Ben Richards – Runaway
If you are fans of The Hunger Games , be sure to see The Runner , which is a very loose adaptation of Stephen King’s book of the same title. The parallels between Collins’ book and the work of the King of Horror are evident. The author took full advantage of King’s work.
Czytając Uciekiniera, zdecydowanie inaczej wyobrażałem sobie głównego bohatera. W moich wizjach był to raczej everyman, który próbował uratować swoją córkę (dzięki pieniądzom z morderczego show telewizyjnego). W wersji filmowej otrzymujemy natomiast 100% Arnolda w Arnoldzie. Aktor zagrał byłego komandosa, występującego w teleturnieju za karę, gdyż odmówił zamordowania cywili. Na ekranie obserwujemy standardową kreację Schwarzeneggera, ograniczoną emocjonalnie, ale pełną testosteronu i akcji, okraszoną dodatkowo całą gamą sucharów pokroju: „ale z Ciebie gorący chłopak” (gdy spalił pirotechnika) itp. To jeden z tych filmów, który zapoczątkował moją miłość do fantastyki! – Mateusz Michałek
