Director: David Ayer.
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington, Joe Manganiello, Terrence Howard, Josh Holloway, Mireille Enos, Max Martini and Olivia Williams.
Running Time: 109 Minutes.
Certificate: 15.
Synopsis: Arnold Schwarzenegger leads an elite DEA task force that takes on the world’s deadliest drug cartels. The elite team executes what appears to be a tactical raid on a cartel safe house, which in fact, turns out to be an elaborate theft operation, pre-planned by the members of the DEA squad itself. After hiding $10 million in stolen cash, the rouge agents believe their secret is safe – that is until someone begins methodically assassinating members of the team, one-by-one. As the body count rises, everyone is suspect, including members of the team itself.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s post-political return to acting has been met with a mixed response to say the least. The former governor’s official Hollywood comeback began early last year with THE LAST STAND and ESCAPE PLAN, however they were both met with less than enthusiastic reviews and box office results. Thankfully the Austrian Oak’s latest adrenaline-fuelled entry into the action genre, not only improves upon his last few cinematic servings of masculinity, but also give us an Arnie we haven’t seen in a very long time.
SABOTAGE boasts a surprisingly impressive cast considering its relatively modest budget and small-scale narrative, consisting of Sam Worthington (AVATAR), Joe Manganiello (TRUE BLOOD), Terrence Howard (IRON MAN) and Josh Holloway (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL). Although some of these high profile stars are relegated to smaller roles than others, the ensemble cast present an excellent on-screen chemistry and banter to rival Stallone’s gang in the EXPENDABLES films. The extended group sequences of manly bonding sessions through strip clubs and barbeques may come across as clichéd and over-the-top, however it’s hard to dismiss the contagious nature of the films excessive scenes of masculinity.
In terms of the excellent and extremely intimidating cast of loveable lugs in Arnie’s gang, Joe Manganiello is definitely a highlight. The SPIDER-MAN star has certainly come a long way from his role as a typical high school bully in Sam Raimi’s 2002 film, and Manganiello is clearly keen to demonstrate his impressive and intense acting skills that seem to have gone painfully unnoticed by many. The ridiculously muscled physique of Manganiello is also something that is highlighted in SABOTAGE, thanks to the American actors numerous years as an aggressive but loyal werewolf on HBO’s TRUE BLOOD.
Some of the more pedantic Hollywood action fans will also be delighted to know that Sam Worthington has stepped up his game since the days of TERMINATOR SALVATION and AVATAR. The Australian star gives his most convincing and captivating performance yet, not to mention the fact that he has finally mastered the talent of replicating an American accent (thank god). Although the film is no masterpiece or work of art, the performances within David Ayer’s gritty and intense narrative are easily the main attraction of SABOTAGE. Schwarzenegger himself gives his best post-political performance to date in a surprisingly dark role, that will undoubtedly remind audiences why they love Arnie and how great it is to see the Governator back on the big screen for the long haul. It’s also quite refreshing to see Arnie with some legitimately emotional narrative beats within his character arc as Breacher, which he clearly relishes in as the distraught and traumatised SWAT team leader.
Despite the films surprisingly dark and intense narrative, SABOTAGE does have its fair share of hilarious dialogue and over-the-top action rarely seen outside of an 80’s movie. There are also some genius one liners inbetween the multiple sequences of deliciously gory action, such as ‘you had to go and finger the devils pussy’ and ‘clean up on aisle three’, that will surely please fans of the genre. Although some will undoubtedly criticise the slightly clichéd and predictive story of David Ayer’s SABOTAGE, the film is a must-see for any fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger and actions films in the same box as THE EXPENDABLES, THE A-TEAM and PREDATOR. Be sure to check out this brilliantly entertaining action-thriller!
[usr=3] SABOTAGE is released in UK theatres on Wednesday 7th May.
