The Last Stand 
Release Date: 18th January 2013 (US)
Running Time: N/A
Director: Kim Jee-Woon
Writer: George Nolfi, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, Andrew Knauer
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest whitaker, Peter Stormare, Harry Dean Stanton, Rodrigo Santoro, Genesis Rodriguez, Luis Guzman, Johnny Knoxville,
While I only review American films on this blog if they have impressed me enough there are a number of Japanese and Korean directors working in Hollywood right now and so I post trailers for their projects. Right now Takashi Shimizu (Ju-On franchise, Reincarnation) is putting the finishing touches on 7500 (following the demise of the production company behind it, when that will get a release I have no idea) while Park Chan-Wook (Oldboy, J.S.A.) is handling Stoker. Kim Jee-Woon looks set to deliver the biggest blockbuster of the bunch in the form The Last Stand starring action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Ray Owens (Schwarzenegger) was once in the LAPD but after a police operation goes badly wrong he leaves to become the sheriff of a quiet town named Sommerton Junction which is on the border with Mexico. Just when he thought he was free Owens is soon forced back into the thick of the action when an infamous drug baron escapes the FBI and makes a dash for the border. Owens will join forces with FBI agents Bannister (Whitaker) and Richards (Rodriguez) as they aim to stop the bad guy.
So this is a classic action film the likes of which propelled Scwarzenegger to fame. I actually enjoyed some of his films like True Lies but the real draw for me is Kim Jee-Woon. I have reviewed two of his films so far – The Quiet Family, A Bittersweet Life – and need to review the others I have seen (although the prospect of re-watching The Good, the Bad, the Weird leaves me feeling tired…). The trailer looks pretty awesome – he is bringing his post-modern take on films to Hollywood. My only reservation is that Kim Jee-Woon is not writing. That job is being handled by Jeffrey Nachmanoff (The Day After Tomorrow), Andrew Knauer and George Nolfi (co-writer of The Bourne Ultimatum and the writer and director of The Adjustment Bureau). Not bad but not brilliant. What does look good is the cast which includes top veteran actors like Forest Whitaker (Ghost Dog, The Last King of Scotland), Luis Guzman (Magnolia, Snake Eyes), Harry Dean Stanton (Alien, Repo Man) and Peter Stormare (Fargo).
Genkinahito 
”although the prospect of re-watching The Good, the Bad, the Weird leaves me feeling tired…”
Tired because of the running time or because you found it boring?
I liked The Foul King when I watched it (about six years ago) if you haven’t you might want to check it out.
What I find interesting about Korean directors working in Hollywood is how unhappy they were when the screen quota system was changed in 2007…..now we have a number of them working there!
I spent the first hour of The Good, the Bad, the Weird grinning at seeing the madness on the big screen and enjoying the stylish action but then I felt the film dragged towards the end – did we need that desert prison scene?
I should watch the Foul King. It certainly has a great cast and plot. I still need to watch I Saw the Devil – I’m debating whether to rent it from my library rather than buy it.
The quota system ending with the free trade agreement sounded apocalyptic whenever I read about it but the Korean film industry still seems strong… well, stronger than most places.
I am waiting for this movie because I used to like Arnie…but I never knew the Director is a Korean. I havent seen any movie by him yet, but it makes me proud that more Asian director can step in Hollywood.
There are quite a few working in Hollywood. Shimizu and Nakata have experience with the Grudge/Ring remakes but their projects aren’t as interesting as what the Korean directors arer doing. I want to see Park Chan-Wook’s take on Stoker and Bong’s Snowpiercer!!!
I never watched Remake after feeling so disappointed with The Ring. I hope Shimizu and Nakata can o something else in Hollywood…not remaking.
I liked Arnie back in the day, he was hugely popular! The cheesy one-liners the guns that never run out of ammo etc. I still don’t want to see him in anymore movies. And the The Day After Tomorrow is one of the worst films I have ever seen; I freaking hated it! But I agree that supporting cast are great…in particular Peter Stormare and Harry Dean Stanton. I will see anything Kim Jee-Woon does based on what he has done thus far. The man is hugely talented; I hope this surprises me.
I recently re-watched Predator and found I liked it a lot less than I remembered. Arnie’s more recent films have not interested me in the slightest but with Kim Jee-Woon directing I think this will probably be entertaining but not revolutionary. It’s good to see Harry Dean Stanton on the big screen – such an interesting actor.