Movie #127- "The Last Stand" (2013)

The best way to describe "The Last Stand" is by using a sports analogy.  It's the bottom of the ninth inning and your team is down a run.  A runner is on base, when the old, grizzled slugger saunters up to the plate.  He's been out of the game for a while and may be past his prime, yet on occasion, has been able to flash the magic of years ago.  The first pitch is driven deep down the line, home run distance, but foul.  The second pitch, a swing and a miss.  Finally, the third pitch freezes him, resulting in a called strike.  The at-bat ends in disappointment.  Thankfully, it's only the first out of the inning, so the game moves on.  Will the slugger bat again?  Maybe.  So goes Schwarzenegger's career.
A lot was made about Arnold's return to a starring role.  This appeared to be the perfect vehicle for him; the aging sheriff in a sleepy border town with big trouble heading his way in the form of the escaped leader of a drug cartel.  The town is basically deserted for a football game and his only back-up consists of an inexperienced staff and a crazed munitions collector.  This leads to a very loud, and violent conclusion.
"The Last Stand" could have been more fun than it is, but I'll place a majority of the blame on the script.  The initial set-up of the story gets you excited (big showdown in small town), yet "The Last Stand" fails in the execution.  I can overlook plot holes if the film can draw me into its world.  Here, there are too many gaps that keep you waiting.  The villain and his goal isn't that interesting, the build up to the conclusion drags too long, Johnny Knoxville is given an outrageous character that is barely used in the first half of the movie, and while Schwarnenegger gets to inject some humor in regards to his age, that is an opportunity that is sparingly explored.  Luis Guzman is dependable in the role of a deputy while I really wanted to see more of Harry Dean Stanton in an uncredited part.
Arnold appears to be up for the challenge of aging action hero.  Although he may not return to past glories, he could become a reliable box office draw again.  He just needs to find a script that better suits him.

Rating: 5/10
Movies I've previously seen: 6
First time viewings: 121