The Last Stand (2013) Review by Shivom Oza – Doesn’t Stand A Chance

2/5 Stars

The dreaded leader of a drug cartel escapes out of an FBI van and sets off in his speed demon, Corvette ZR1, to the Mexican border. An innocuous sheriff, along with inexperienced accomplices, tries his best to stop the escapee.

While the action (comprising several chase sequences) in the film is above-par, the story just doesn’t make the cut. Arnold Schwarzenegger ambles away as the leading man, but even he looks tired and disinterested. The writing, which includes the plot and the dialogues, is not strong enough and at two hours, the film doesn’t have enough steam to hold your attention.

After leaving his LAPD narcotics post following an unsuccessful operation, Ray Owens (Arnold Schwarzenegger) moves out and settles down in the peaceful Summerton Junction as the Sheriff. However, the peace gets marred when Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega), a dreaded drug kingpin, escapes from the FBI’s clutches. With assistance from Burrell (Peter Stormare) and his men, Cortez speeds away towards the US-Mexico border at breath-taking speed in a modified Corvette ZR1 with a captured hostage. FBI agent John Bannister (Forest Whitaker) will have his final chance to nab Cortez at Summerton, before he makes the final dash across the border. That’s when Ray and his team come in!

The film doesn’t offer much, in terms of action, story, thrills or Arnold! Yes, even the mega-action star fails to salvage anything out of this lost cause. There are a couple of scenes, one wherein Cortez escapes and another where one of Ray’s men goes berserk over the villains, which manage to hold your unwavering attention. However, at two hours, the film is too long and tedious. The ‘emotional’ moments in the film don’t strike a chord, and you may hardly guffaw, as several supposedly funny gags play out on the screen.

Director Jee-woon Kim could have done better with a cleverer script. ‘The Last Stand’ doesn’t stand a chance!

Shivom Oza