“You’re luggage!” —John Kruger
Today’s quick review: Eraser. U.S. Marshal John Kruger (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is the best in the business at keeping federal witnesses safe. When Lee Cullen (Vanessa Williams), an employee at defense contractor Cyrez, uncovers evidence of treason, John must protect her from a deadly cover-up. But Cyrez’s influence reaches even farther than John expects, and he soon finds himself framed for murder and on the run from his own colleagues.
Eraser is an action movie in the 90s mold. Eraser follows the usual action recipe to a tee: guns, explosions, and feats of strength, with little in the way of plot or character. Eraser’s action is competent but uninspired, offering spectacle but not much in the way of heart or credibility. Schwarzenegger remains fun to watch as he tears through his enemies, but the extra layer of attitude that accents his best roles is missing.
Eraser has scant bits of character to distinguish it from other action movies. The futuristic railgun developed by Cyrez lets the movie indulge in larger explosions and snatches of early CGI. John’s work for Witness Protection comes with an unorthodox set of techniques for protecting his clients and a network of former clients he can call on for help. However, Eraser does not make anything special of these ideas, and their potential remains largely untapped.
Give Eraser a shot if you are in the mood for straightforward, 90s-style action. Eraser has enough in the way of action to be a decent popcorn watch, but it fails to stand out from a crowded field. Skip it if you are looking for something engaging or innovative. For more distinctive action movies in a similar vein, check out Predator, Total Recall, or Lethal Weapon.
6.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for decent action but little else.