A deeply average but nonetheless watchable movie for Schwarzenegger, one which is for a change rooted in realism (yet no less unrealistic in places) than his last two movies, the supernatural END OF DAYS and the sci-fi offering THE SIXTH DAY. Here Arnie is given a strong role as the grieving widower you wouldn't want to mess with, and it's nice to see he's still more than capable as a charismatic lead and as a hero in the action stakes. Sadly I was expecting more, especially with Andrew Davis, the director who bought us THE FUGITIVE and UNDER SIEGE, but COLLATERAL DAMAGE is a relatively dark and unexciting film which goes through the paces, working hard to build up some bizarre characters (John Turturro and John Leguizamo cameo) and maintain a realistic sweaty atmosphere when the action shifts to Colombia.

Things only really start to gel for the finale, in which the action shifts back to Washington and there's a great race against time as Arnie tries to stop the bad guys before they blow up another building and waste more innocent lives. This is the Arnie we know and love, with pumping adrenaline action and some cool stuntwork and explosions. Otherwise the plot offers just one good surprise twist and some above average acting (Elias Koteas sails through his role as shifty CIA Agent Brandt) from the above average cast, but the story doesn't say anything new and there aren't enough fights, chases or shoot-outs (Arnie doesn't even get a gun this time!) to justify a satisfying experience for this action fan. The political message itself is just a backbone on which to base the shallow plot and the end result is that you're left wanting a bit more from the veteran performer.

A bomb explodes outside of the Columbian consulate in L.A. Firefighter Gordon Brewer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) loses his wife and young son. The terrorist El Lobo who's real name is Claudio Perrini (Cliff Curtis) is responsible. A terrorist sympathizer calls Brewer's family collateral damage. CIA Columbia Chief Peter Brandt (Elias Koteas) is angered when senators terminates CIA operations and start peace talks. Brandt returns to CIA station Mompós while Brewer plans to sneak into the country. Brewer is hunted by all sides and is arrested. He is befriended by Canadian Sean Armstrong (John Turturro) and escapes with him when rebels breakout their comrades from jail. Using Armstrong's pass, Brewer infiltrates rebel territories to work for cocaine facility manager Felix Ramirez (John Leguizamo).

Arnold faces a major problem. The story is too real and he's playing an everyman. The plan, such as it is, is too stupid. An American with terrible Spanish walks into the country to blindly wing it. It is too unbelievable and Arnold doesn't have the everyman persona anyways. The movie tries to be real except Arnold is too unreal and the situation is too unbelievable.

After his family is killed by a terrorist act, a firefighter (Arnold Governator) goes in search of the one responsible.

What makes this film worthwhile are these two supporting actor: Elias Koteas and John Turturro. Either of them can do just about anything and it is always a joy to see. Especially Koteas, who remains sadly underrated.

The film as a whole is just alright. The concept is very much a standard action plot: terrorist kills people, lone man hunts down terrorist for revenge. But it just never feels right. When we did this in the 1980s, it was fun because it was over the top. Now it seems to be all too serious. This should not be so serious... because really, it is not gonna happen. Look at "Taken" -- now that's how you do it!