THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602150032
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
IF ACTION WERE enough, ``Broken Arrow'' is more than enough.
John Woo, the guru of Hong Kong movie action, does everything, including explode the Earth itself, to put plenty of bang into this ultra-silly flick about a villain who puts up his nukes and fights.
In an unlikely, and perhaps inappropriate, bit of against-type casting, John Travolta is asked to play a snarling, evil villain who, after being passed over once too often for a promotion, kidnaps two nuclear missiles and demands hefty deposits to his bank in Geneva.
Travolta is best at playing vulnerable, likable and slightly awkward guys - complete with a wide grin. It's difficult to take him here as a supervillain.
The best way to take ``Broken Arrow'' is with a laugh. It's preposterous. In spite of all the stunts, there is very little suspense.
It opens with a laughable boxing match between Travolta and his co-star, Christian Slater. (This isn't the heavyweight championship, folks). Then we romp through an aerial showdown, a chase across desert and cliffs and a shootout in an underground mine. The scene changes are about as illogical as the plot.
John Woo has acquired a cult following with his laughable Hong Kong actioners. Somehow, this type thing is a good deal more permisable on a low budget with bad dubbing. With a big Hollywood budget, and big stars, we get the idea they're joshing us. (``Desperado'' and ``The Quick and the Dead'' had the same problem recently. Audiences weren't sure if they were supposed to laugh, or take things seriously).
Slater looks more like everyone's kid brother than someone who would save the earth. Samantha Mathis, his co-star in ``Pump Up the Volume,'' plays a forest ranger who tags along and squeals things like ``I don't think this is a good idea.'' She clearly has a Sandra Bullock wish. In fact, the entire movie has a ``Speed'' wish.
``Speed,'' though, was outright fun - the kind of fun that could house its flimsy plot while we relaxed and enjoyed the bus rush. ``Broken Arrow'' has a bit of a mean edge that suggests that we're supposed to take the whole thing seriously. It is during those moments that it seems its most ludicrous.
The title, incidentally, is not to be confused with the classic western, which starred James Stewart. It is a sign of the techno-threatening times that the broken arrow is now a lost nuclear weapon.
If you want an action flick that makes sense, this isn't your ticket. On the other hand, if the pure fun of action on the run is enough, go see it. ILLUSTRATION: MOVIE REVIEW
``Broken Arrow''
Cast: John Travolta, Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, Delroy
Lindo, Bob Gunton, Frank Whaley, Howie Long
Director: John Woo
MPAA rating: R (language, cartoonish violence)
Mal's rating: **1/2
Locations: Cinemark, Greenbrier 13 in Chesapeake; Circle 4, Main
Gate in Norfolk; Kemps River, Lynnhaven Mall, Pembroke, Surf-N-Sand
in Virginia Beach
by CNB