John Travolta's Intense '90s Action Movie With Delroy Lindo: A Prime Video Gem
In the late 1980s, as an American cinephile, I was thrilled to discover a hyper-violent Hong Kong action film that critics claimed surpassed Hollywood's output in terms of brutality and intensity. This buzz initially sparked at the 1989 Toronto Film Festival and reached a fever pitch at Sundance and Cannes. While not all critics agreed, the outrage over the movie's graphic violence only fueled my curiosity. When John Woo's 'The Killer' finally hit US video stores in 1992, it exceeded my expectations. Woo's characters danced with the grace of Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire, blending two distinct styles with finesse. I watched 'The Killer' countless times with my action-crazed friends, and my ecstasy reached new heights with his next film, 'Hard Boiled'.
However, when it came to 'Hard Target', I was both excited and slightly worried. As Woo's first American feature, there were concerns that Hollywood might tone down his signature freneticism and extreme violence. While some cuts were made, his aesthetic remained intact, and the movie was a box office hit, ensuring he could make another studio film. Woo chose to collaborate with 20th Century Fox on 'Broken Arrow', a big-budget actioner starring John Travolta as a rogue Air Force officer planning to blackmail the US government by threatening to detonate a stolen nuclear warhead.
'Broken Arrow' is a blast of a movie with a killer ensemble cast led by the great Delroy Lindo. Working from a screenplay by Graham Yost, Woo expands his action palette with car chases, helicopter combat, and train set pieces, all while maintaining his signature style. Travolta brings an operatic flourish to his portrayal of a narcissistic military genius, one of his best performances. Christian Slater, though in a thankless role, strikes up crazy chemistry with Samantha Mathis, a fan favorite from 'Pump Up the Volume'.
Delroy Lindo, perfectly cast as a proficient Air Force colonel, scrambles to stay one step ahead of Travolta's wild card. 'Broken Arrow' is a vintage 1990s Hollywood action film that zips through its runtime, offering more than enough Woo to set it apart. And thank goodness it was a hit, because without it, we would have been deprived of Woo's Hollywood masterpiece, 'Face/Off'.
In my opinion, 'Broken Arrow' is a prime example of Woo's ability to blend his unique style with Hollywood's resources, resulting in a thrilling action film. It's a testament to his skill as a filmmaker and a must-watch for action movie enthusiasts. Personally, I think it's a gem that deserves more recognition, and I can't wait to see what other masterpieces Woo creates in the future.
