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It’s sometimes hard to believe that Arnold Schwarzenegger is 78 years old, although he’s accomplished a great deal since his birth in Austria all those years ago. A four-time professional Mr. Universe and seven-time Mr. Olympia bodybuilding champion, Schwarzenegger stepped up easily into the lead role in “Conan the Barbarian” in 1982. If you’re an older bodybuilding and movie fan, you’ll also likely remember his bodybuilding documentaries before that.
While Schwarzenegger’s “Conan” roles didn’t achieve much critical acclaim, they paved the way for bigger roles to come, giving him the chance to also excel in the business world and later in politics, culminating in an eight-year stint as Governor of California from 2003. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action movies are his most notable, but let’s not forget he’s also tried his hand at comedic roles, with reasonable success. Here are the Austrian Oak’s most notable and successful exploits on the silver screen:
1. The Terminator (1984)
What a way to make an impact on the movie business. Schwarzenegger, back then, was likely the perfect actor to play a cyborg from the future and he hit the role out of the park. Stellar performances from a pre-bulked-up Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn, fresh from his first lead part in “The Lords of Discipline,” contribute to “The Terminator” becoming a sci-fi action production that marked the beginning of an era in the genre.
Already becoming a household name in the movie business, Schwarzenegger’s popularity soared on the back of a role ideally suited to his skills. The film’s intensity is relentless, defying its mediocre budget with impeccable directing to entrench its lead star as the perfect Terminator. The film’s theme came to James Cameron in a dream, becoming his feature debut screenplay. His accomplishments since are well-known, as is his warning of a Terminator-style AI Apocalypse in the future.
Memorable line: “I’ll be back!”
2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Many of you may position “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” above the original in this list, as, helped by a much larger production budget, excellent special effects and seven more years of directorial experience by James Cameron, it must rank among the best sequels ever produced. While Schwarzenegger’s acting is strong, especially his interactions with young co-star Edward Furlong — look out for the car chase with the T-1000 pursuing them as an example — his impression was cemented after “The Terminator” went some way to improving his critical performance this time around.
Featuring a bulked-up Linda Hamilton and a menacing Robert Patrick as the killer T-1000 cyborg from the future intent on ending her 10-year-old son’s life, “Judgment Day” is crazy good and action-packed. Schwarzenegger gets to play the good-guy cyborg this time, displaying more humanity as he protects his young charge. For the special effects alone, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is incredible to watch, but you still miss the menacing Arnold from the original.
Memorable line: “Hasta la vista, baby.”
3. Pumping Iron (1977)
Then-current bodybuilding household names and future actors, Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, square up in the last Mr. Olympia competition the former competed in before jetting off to find fame and fortune in Hollywood. Although “Pumping Iron” may seem like an unusual pick for this list, the documentary provides compelling evidence of Schwarzenegger’s drive and confidence that undoubtedly assisted in making him the action superstar he became and remains today. Not to mention his discipline — workout routines to reach the pinnacle of your art are never easy.
A fascinating behind-the-scenes insight and a captivating window into the competitive bodybuilding world, “Pumping Iron” effectively builds intense suspense as the two favorites reach the final rounds of this prestigious competition. Both men were masters of their art forms, with Ferrigno going on to play the title role in the 1977 TV series “The Incredible Hulk” shortly after the bodybuilding competition ended. “Pumping Iron” provides some background information about why Arnold Schwarzenegger would always find success in America.
Memorable line: “Milk is for babies. When you grow up, you have to drink beer.”
4. True Lies (1994)
In “True Lies,” Schwarzenegger plays Harry Tasker, a secret agent who poses as a computer salesperson. Even his wife, Helen, portrayed by the always delightful Jamie Lee Curtis, doesn’t know his real job status and decides that his constant absence warrants a little sideline fun with Simon, sleazily played by Bill Paxton, who is ironically pretending to be a secret agent. Without spoiling the plot, chaos ensues, with Schwarzenegger and Curtis inadvertently involved in a terrorist plot and a hilarious scene where the latter poses as a prostitute.
Schwarzenegger, meanwhile, does all he can to up the action, from chasing a motorcycle on horseback through a hotel to borrowing a Harrier jet. The film pokes fun at itself, featuring over-the-top special effects and a consistently humorous tone throughout. Again, it’s James Cameron directing and his ability to get the best out of his star is part of what makes this cinematic tirade such a huge success. “True Lies” is a perfect movie to play with your partner on that impromptu date night at home.
Memorable line: “First, I’m going to use you as a human shield. Then I’m going to kill this guard over here with the Patterson trocar on the table. And then I was thinking about breaking your neck.”
5. Total Recall (1990)
“Total Recall” sees Schwarzenegger, as Doug Quaid, receiving secret agent virtual vacation memories of Mars implanted in his consciousness after experiencing a haunting recurring dream of a journey to the planet. Of course, something goes wrong in the process, leaving the hero believing his secret agent status is the real memory and his Quaid identity is the memory implant.
In classic Paul Verhoeven style — think “Robocop” and “Starship Troopers” — there’s nothing too deep about “Total Recall,” but the director has a penchant for making sci-fi work well. He also includes a pre-”Basic Instinct” Sharon Stone in the cast from his regular actor entourage as Schwarzenegger’s wife. However, she’s more about adding some gloss and feminine appeal on this occasion. In contrast, Arnold’s acting is superb, and he admirably portrays the confusion he must be undergoing.
Memorable line: “What about the guy you lobotomized? Did he get a refund?”
6. Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Schwarzenegger’s roles always include room for some comedic elements, starting with 1988’s “Twins” alongside Danny DeVito and culminating in the holiday comedy “Jingle All the Way” almost a decade later. The best of the action hero’s comedy roles places him alongside a bunch of young kids as an undercover police officer in “Kindergarten Cop.” Amidst the hilarity that takes place, there’s even a little space for some undertoned romance, with Schwarzenegger’s chemistry with co-star Penelope Ann Miller clearly evident.
“Kindergarten Cop” works well and shows how good a comedic actor Schwarzenegger truly is. Overall, besides some truly pantomimic villains, the lead actor more than holds his own as Kimble in a somewhat foreign environment — not always easy to do among good child actors. Its score and soundtrack also add the necessary warmth that these types of movies thrive on. Schwarzenegger’s performance alongside these youngsters demonstrates his natural affinity for children, also evident in his role alongside Edward Furlong in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” a year later.
Memorable line: “No more complaining. No more “Mr. Kimble, I have to go to the bathroom.” Nothing. There is no bathroom!”
Everybody Knows the Name Arnold Schwarzenegger
As one of the greatest action stars of American cinema reaches the twilight of his illustrious career, it is undeniable that Arnold Schwarzenegger has left a legacy of incredible films. While some may argue his actual acting ability, the statistics and facts in his bodybuilding, acting, business and political roles point to an achiever who has left no stone unturned in reaching the pinnacle in his life. Watching Arnold Schwarzenegger movies will often leave you sorry they’re over — a mark of true presence and talent.
