Screen Scene
By Daily Bruin Staff
Feb. 7, 2002 9:00 p.m.
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Chris Klein (right) and
LL Cool J star in the new action thriller
"Rollerball."
“Rollerball” Starring: Chris Klein,
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, LL Cool J
Directed by John McTiernan
As a film that had to be reworked due to excessive sex and
violence, “Rollerball,” seems worse for the wear.
Opening today, the film was originally cut with an R rating, but
the violence and sexuality was toned down in order to appeal to a
larger and younger audience. But what’s left for audiences
when the whole film is about a sex- and violence-fueled extreme
sport? Remedial dodge ball. The hero Jonathan Cross, played by
Chris Klein, joins the Rollerball circuit for no other reason than
that the cops are waiting for him at his San Francisco apartment
after an illegal street-loge race. But the money is enough to keep
him interested. Coaxed by pal Marcus Ridley (LL Cool J), the two
become the only Americans in the Eurasian league, based in such
impoverished countries as Kazakstan and Mongolia. The gaming
sequences, which look like a cross between “American
Gladiators” and Ironman Ivan Stewart’s “Off
Road,” are admittedly pretty astounding “¦ but
that’s about it. Although really the fault of rewrites and
revisions in catering the script toward broader appeal, it’s
hard to decide which of the three protagonists gives the worst
performance. Rebecca Romijn-Stamos is hotter than ever as Aurora.
LL Cool J is phat and sassy. And Chris Klein is, well, just so darn
cute; yet it’s too hard to believe someone so dreamy could
look that good every second of the film. The only honorable mention
goes to Jean Reno’s (“The Professional,”
“Mission Impossible”) Alexi Petrovich,
“Rollerball’s” equivalent to the now-defunct
XFL’s Vince McMahon. His sporadic outbursts and paranoid
behavior is so over the top that he seems to be telling the
audience, “I know this movie sucks; but when in
Rome”¦” The film is also peppered with cameos, including
the rock band Slipknot and pop-star Pink. The quick takes layered
with tons of hip music is director John McTiernan’s only way
of keeping the audience’s attention, outside of repeatedly
showing hints of Romijn-Stamos’ half-silhouetted digitally
darkened boobs over and over. Contrary to popular belief, this is
not enough to save the film as a whole. The best bet is to wait for
“Rollerball” on DVD. Hopefully it’ll have the
justified ultra-violence re-inserted and some Romijn-Stamos deleted
nudity. Until then, rent the 1975 Norman Jewison version of the
same name. The oft-overlooked cheese-fest has a young James Caan, a
stronger social message “¦ and roller skates. That”˜s
right, baby”¦roller skates! Chris Cobb
Warner Bros. Pictures Arnold Schwarzenegger
seeks vengeance in "Collateral Damage."
“Collateral Damage” Starring:
Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Leguizamo, Francesca Neri, Elias Koteas
and John Turturro
Directed by Andrew Davis
Andrew Davis, who has directed other hits such as “The
Fugitive,” “Above the Law” and “A Perfect
Murder,” does not fail his audience with the thrilling action
that starts off “Collateral Damage.” The audience gets
bombarded by an explosive fire scene, followed by bombings and
guerilla fighting in the Colombian jungles. Arnold Schwarzenegger
revels in mediocrity in this latest flick as Gordon Brewer. He is a
man who loses his innocence and does his utmost to seek vengeance
against renowned Colombian guerrilla terrorist “El
Lobo,” or typically referred to as “The Wolf,”
played by Cliff Curtis. “Collateral Damage” revolves
around the notion of a revenge tragedy: a cycle of hatred that is
sparked off when a firefighter tragically loses his wife and son in
a terrorist bombing of the Columbian consulate. Although this
typical Arnold film is not devoid of fast-paced action, its plot
still pales in comparison to his other action films such as
“Predator” and “Terminator.” The actors
worthy of mention in this film are definitely Curtis and the
beautiful Italian actress, Francesa Neri as his wife. They both
carry on a presence that the main character lacks. What is most
interesting and disturbing about “Collateral Damage” is
its ties to reality. The film was pushed back from its original
release date because it deals with the touchy issue of terrorism.
Another interesting aspect of the film is the intriguing twist at
the end. Besides that, the rest of “Collateral Damage”
is simply a lot of typical explosive action with a few emotional
moments. It’s not a good movie, but a film for big-time
Arnold fans, or those who have nothing better to do with $8.
Rosanna Mah
