Christian Metz stated that a film is difficult to explain because it is easy to understand. (qtd. in
Buckland & Elsaesser: 1). I will analyse the film Collateral Damage, directed by Andrew
Davis, in terms of its context and how it is portrayed technically. My aim is to show Arnold
Schwarzenegger’s development, how Collateral Damages represents a turning point in the
history of action movies Arnold took part in, and how he has changed from a muscle shirt
wearing daredevil and killing machine to a family man with moral values. Therefore, I will
start to look at a couple of important action movies in which Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a
leading role and after that, I will compare the differences of the former Arnold and the Arnold
we see in Collateral Damage. To realise this, I will focus on Schwarzenegger’s behaviour and
the way, Andrew Davis represents the fire-fighter and his emotions. In the end, I will give a
short conclusion regarding Arnold’s rise from rags to riches and how he represents an
irreplaceable icon not only in the history of action movies during the last three decades.
Everybody knows the Australian guy ‘Arnie’ alias Arnold Schwarzenegger. The first role in
the movie Hercules in New York owes Arnold his career as a bodybuilder and his enormous
size. Released in 1970, Arnold – at this time known as Arnold Strong – plays a mythological
toga clad Hercules. Arnold takes part in a weight-lifting competition; he becomes a wrestler,
rides his chariot through Times Square, descends into hell and gets mixed up with gangsters.
In contrast to Collateral Damage, Arthur Allan Seidelman, the director of Hercules in New
York, focuses on Schwarzenegger’s muscle mass.
In 1982, John Milius creates the fantasy action movie Conan the Barbarian. Here, Arnold
portrays a bulldog and beefy giant who survives as sole human the strain of bondage. Conan
in the role of an invincible gladiator and snake killer, sweetened by two fisted action,
spectacular fighting scenes and amours turn Arnold into the James Bond of the Middle Ages.
In the first third of the film, Conan knocks out a camel with an aimed bash (0:38:02). His
cruelty peaks out when he decollates Thulsa in front of his followers and raises his head like a
trophy. Unlike Collateral Damage, Arnold takes much pleasure in fights and he seems to be a
little bit sadistic at this time.
His most famous role is storied [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Main Part
- 3. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the film Collateral Damage and Arnold Schwarzenegger's portrayal, examining his character arc from a killing machine to a family man with moral values. It aims to demonstrate how this film represents a turning point in Schwarzenegger's career and the action film genre.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger's character development across various films.
- The portrayal of violence and its evolution in Schwarzenegger's filmography.
- The shift in Schwarzenegger's on-screen persona from a ruthless action hero to a morally complex character.
- The technical aspects of film-making in Collateral Damage and their contribution to the narrative.
- Collateral Damage as a turning point in the action movie genre.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Arnold Schwarzenegger's evolution as a character in action films, focusing specifically on the pivotal role of Collateral Damage. It highlights Christian Metz's observation on the paradoxical nature of film comprehension and introduces the objective of tracing Schwarzenegger's transformation from a "killing machine" to a family man with moral values. The chapter briefly previews the approach, outlining a comparative study of Schwarzenegger's roles in several action films leading up to Collateral Damage, emphasizing the analysis of his behavior and the director's portrayal of his emotions.
2. Main Part: This chapter delves into the film Collateral Damage's opening sequence, analyzing Andrew Davis' use of cinematic techniques such as camera angles and editing to establish the atmosphere of chaos and danger. It contrasts Schwarzenegger's role as an ordinary firefighter in this film with his previous portrayals as exceptional characters in other action movies. The chapter emphasizes Schwarzenegger's shift to a more morally grounded and relatable character, while still maintaining heroic leadership qualities. It also suggests that current events, potentially referencing September 11th, are relevant to the context of the film.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Arnold Schwarzenegger, action films, Collateral Damage, character development, violence, moral values, film analysis, cinematic techniques, heroism, family, revenge.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Arnold Schwarzenegger in *Collateral Damage*
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic paper analyzing Arnold Schwarzenegger's portrayal in the film Collateral Damage. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main themes explored in the paper?
The paper examines Arnold Schwarzenegger's character arc, focusing on his transformation from a ruthless action hero to a more morally complex and relatable family man. It explores the portrayal of violence in his films, the technical aspects of filmmaking in Collateral Damage, and the film's significance as a potential turning point in both Schwarzenegger's career and the action film genre. The analysis also considers the influence of real-world events on the film's narrative.
What is the scope of the analysis of Arnold Schwarzenegger?
The analysis extends beyond just Collateral Damage, examining Schwarzenegger's character development across his various action films to provide a comparative context for his role in this specific movie. It traces his evolution as a character, highlighting the shift in his on-screen persona and the changing depiction of violence throughout his filmography.
What aspects of *Collateral Damage* are analyzed in detail?
The paper analyzes the opening sequence of Collateral Damage, focusing on the director's use of cinematic techniques (camera angles, editing) to create atmosphere. It contrasts Schwarzenegger's portrayal as an ordinary firefighter in this film with his previous roles as exceptional characters. The analysis also considers the film's relevance to contemporary events.
What methods are used in this analysis?
The analysis employs a comparative approach, examining Schwarzenegger's roles across several films. It also incorporates an analysis of cinematic techniques used in Collateral Damage to understand their contribution to the narrative. The paper acknowledges the paradoxical nature of film comprehension as observed by Christian Metz.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The introduction sets the stage for the analysis, outlining the objective of tracing Schwarzenegger's transformation and previewing the comparative study of his roles. The main part delves into a detailed analysis of Collateral Damage, contrasting Schwarzenegger's character in this film with his previous portrayals and highlighting his shift towards a more morally grounded character. The analysis connects the film's narrative with contemporary events.
What are the key words associated with this research?
The key words include: Arnold Schwarzenegger, action films, Collateral Damage, character development, violence, moral values, film analysis, cinematic techniques, heroism, family, and revenge.
- Quote paper
- Dominik Lorenz (Author), 2005, The personal development of Arnold Schwarzenegger and how he changed from a killing machine to a family man with moral values , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/52812
