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Eraser (1996)

A review by Damian Cannon.
Copyright © Movie Reviews UK 1997
Showcasing the return of Schwarzenegger to straight action pictures, Eraser is such a high-energy buzz that it sweeps you along with its absurdity. Commencing with low-key technological credits, the camera then focuses in on the plight of Johnny C (Robert Pastorelli). A key witness in the federal protection scheme, Johnny broke cover and brought the redemptive forces of the Mob down upon his family. Luckily for him John Kruger (Arnold Schwarzenegger), an extremely select Marshal, is here to extricate them and prevent their tongues hanging as trophies on the Corelli office wall. Substituting bodies in their place and destroying the building, Kruger effectively deletes their lives - they've been "erased".

Back at headquarters, Kruger cuts an imposing figure as he tidies up the night's work and chats with mentor Robert Deguerin (James Caan). His next assignment concerns the high-tech weapons company Cyrez, who are developing the next generation of weapons for the Government. However, employee Lee Cullen (Vanessa L. Williams) has evidence that Cyrez are trading with the highest foreign bidder and she's like to expose this. The FBI is happy to let her take the risks, when she copies the top-security data, but only just manage to pluck her out of the complex alive. What they didn't mention to Lee is that her old life is gone forever, a consequence of patriotism. This is Kruger's cue.

Lee can't believe that she's been used in such a despicable fashion, treated as expendable. Disgusted, she returns home and tries to provide basic security for her future. Unfortunately, the Cyrez goons are lurking outside and plan on eliminating her, using their incredible experimental weapons technology. Through this hail of ultra-high velocity bullets and nail bombs appears Kruger, snatching her from oblivion and taking her under his wing. He's the only one that she can trust now, so he gives her a new identity and places her in a safe house (he has extensive contacts). The Cyrez corruption stretches deeper than anyone suspects though, meaning that Kruger is going to have a tricky time just looking after himself.

A Schwarzenegger film in every way, Eraser echoes both his low-budget origins (The Terminator, Commando) and the recent spate of high-concept summer movies (Mission: Impossible, GoldenEye). The plot, disposable as it is, offers up familiar computer hacking and aeroplane antics without significantly raising the ante. Fortunately the hulking presence of Arnie and the generally rapid pace make up for a great deal of derivation. The set pieces (snowstorms of bullets and giant balls of fire) are on the whole great fun and serve to emphasise one thing - Kruger is invulnerable. Not only that, he's invisible, invincible and several other superlative descriptions besides. This is a perfect spin for the film - Arnie not only acts like a robot, he is a robot.

Remaining with the action sequences a touch longer, Eraser features some exquisite weaponry and a fun reptile-house scene. However, the latter highlights one of Eraser's weak points. The script is remarkably poor in one-liners for Schwarzenegger, the gritty epithets he can spit out after a killing spree. Strangely, the inconsistencies and transparent roles aren't the movie's fatal wound, it's the lack of humour that twists the knife. Such is the legacy of an Arnie picture. Anyway, if you're prepared to slip your brain into neutral and get caught up in the spirit, Eraser has much to enjoy.

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