There is no denying that Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the biggest action stars of all time. Throughout the late 80s and 90s he had hit after hit with Terminator 2, Predator, Total Recall, True Lies and so many more. In 1996 he unleashed his brand of action in the film Eraser from Nightmare on Elm Street 3, The Mask and The Scorpion King director Chuck Russell. The film co-stars Vanessa Williams, James Cromwell and the late James Caan and James Coburn.

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Eraser follows U.S. marshal John Kruger “erases” the lives and identities of people entering the Witness Protection Program. When his latest charge uncovers a deal to put a new superweapon in the wrong hands, it’s a do-or-die assignment. Kruger embarks on a high-octane action spree to protect her.

 

Eraser is peak Schwarzenegger. The film brings everything fans came to expect from the action star and holds up well still today. The cleaver structure of how he made people disappear just adds to the fun of the flick. The new rail gun here that shot aluminum bullets and the effects they use when they shoot them. It brought almost a sci-fi element to the action while still being grounded in the real world.

 

Schwarzenegger brings his usual stoic macho style to the role with just enough emotion to make him likable and entertaining to watch. The over-the-top action and stunts made this one of my favorites up there with True Lies when it came out. Getting to revisit it was tons of fun with that final act action of him carrying dual massive rail guns the icing on the cake and vintage Schwarzenegger.

 

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