32 Times Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Characters Overdid It with Force

Arnold Schwarzenegger has accomplished quite a bit throughout his career. He’s provided plenty of amusing material for out-of-context memes, created some of the most eccentric commercials on the web, and has left an indelible mark on the silver screen with his action hero roles. Characters like the Terminator, Kevin Lillehoff (John Kimble), John Matrix, and Dutch have also left a significant imprint in the world’s best action films, albeit they were sometimes overly aggressive in their responses.

Here’s a list of 32 instances where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s characters stepped over the line, whether it was through physical actions, harsh words, or a combination of both!

The Suitcase Scene (Total Recall)

Total Recall is a truly outlandish film, and it ranks high among Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most eccentric roles. A scene that always keeps viewers entertained is the one where Douglas Quaid struggles to grab a suitcase containing something to remove a contraption from his nose. However, just as he attempts to free himself, he finds himself in a scuffle with an elderly woman who stumbled upon it. While she may have cursed him, it was only after she nearly sent him tumbling down a set of stairs.

When The Terminator Took Out A Bar Full Of Bikers (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

As a die-hard fan, I’ve always appreciated the gritty ways the T-800 acquires his attire in the franchise, but the spectacle he put on when donning those biker clothes at the start of Terminator 2: Judgment Day was truly exceptional. The bar brawl, the thrashing of bikers, and that one guy getting flung onto a hot stove – boy, that’s got to hurt!

The Time John Kimble Told A Group Of Kids To ‘Shut Up!’ (Kindergarten Cop)

As a movie buff, I firmly believe that a teacher should steer clear of two actions in the classroom: resorting to physical violence against students and raising one’s voice excessively at the young ones. Fortunately, John Kimble seems to have taken the first lesson to heart from his role in “Kindergarten Cop,” but it appears he might have overlooked the importance of maintaining a calm demeanor when addressing his class, as demonstrated by his occasional outbursts such as telling them to “Quiet down!

When John Matrix Killed A Guy On A Plane And Then Dipped Out During Takeoff (Commando)

The movie “Commando” features Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, John Matrix, who goes beyond limits to save his daughter from kidnapping. However, he resorts to drastic actions to secure victory, such as snapping a henchman’s neck on an airplane to escape. A more reasonable action would have been to knock him unconscious instead.

The Classic ‘You’re Fired’ Moment (True Lies)

James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger collaborated to create some of the most thrilling action movies ever, including “True Lies,” which is packed with outrageous violence. Just watch how Harry Tasker eliminated terrorist leader Salim Abu Aziz in the climax – instead of arresting him, he shot him through a building and launched him into a helicopter with a rocket!

The Handshake Turned Arm-Wrestling Match With Dillon (Predator)

Predator, undoubtedly one of the most masculine action films from the ’80s, is packed with excessive action sequences. Moreover, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character Dutch often reacts to situations with an overwhelming amount of force, such as the unforgettable handshake-turned-arm-wrestling contest against Dillon. Despite its unnecessary nature, it’s incredibly cool.

The Time Mr. Freeze Froze A Security Guard Pleading For Mercy (Batman & Robin)

Despite Mr. Freeze not being the most brutal or psychopathic villain Gotham City has encountered, the portrayal in the 1997 film Batman & Robin was excessively aggressive and filled with poor puns. From the start, he mercilessly freezes a security guard, which is indeed chilling.

Splitting Buzzsaw In Two (The Running Man)

Indeed, Buzzsaw’s demise in “The Running Man” seemed somewhat justified, but the manner in which Ben Richards dispatched him was quite excessive. Picture being torn apart by your own weapon and then having someone in a leotard mockingly comment on it as they proceeded to kill your companions.

When The Terminator Pulled Out A Punk’s Heart (The Terminator)

In an immediate manner, The Terminator made clear to viewers that this wasn’t your typical grandfather’s science fiction film. Instead, it was grittier, packed with intense action sequences, and significantly more graphic in terms of violence. To give you a glimpse, the T-800 character actually tears out another man’s heart from his chest – now that’s brutal!

The Time John ‘Eraser’ Kruger Used A Freezer To Kill A Man (Eraser)

The movie “Eraser,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is often overlooked, yet it contains some incredibly unusual scenes that deserve more attention. One such scene involves the character John “Eraser” Kruger, who seems to effortlessly snap a man’s neck in a freezer as if he were simply opening a bottle.

Thulsa’s Decapitation (Conan The Barbarian)

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that Thulsa Doom, portrayed by the legendary James Earl Jones, wasn’t exactly a gentleman. His actions certainly set the stage for retribution. When it came to his demise at the hands of Conan Barbarian, it was more than just a simple execution. It was a chilling display of violence, a three-stroke swordplay that left me with an unsettling sense of finality.

Impaling Bennett With A Steam Pipe (Commando)

Indeed, films like “Commando” are known for iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger quotes, but was it truly essential for Bennett to transform into a steam pipe after being impaled? Humorous, indeed, yet also gruesome. Whether it was necessary or not, that’s a point open for discussion among the judges.

John Kimble’s ‘I Lied’ Speech (Commando)

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s line from Commando, ‘I lied,’ is one of the funniest moments for many viewers. Not only is it a memorable one-liner, but the way John Matrix disposes of Sully is incredibly over-the-top and absurd. However, given the situation and the enemy’s nature, it was definitely deserved.

The ‘That Hit The Spot’ Scene (The Running Man)

In a more casual and engaging rephrase, here’s how the sentence could be restated:

The Running Man strikes an excellent blend of preposterous action sequences and sharp social critique, while also showcasing some sidesplitting over-the-top death scenes. One particularly outlandish scene occurs when Ben Richards exacts his vengeance on Damon Killian by causing him to smash into one of Killian’s very own billboards.

When Mr. Freeze Turned Gotham Into A Frozen Nightmare (Batman & Robin)

As a movie buff, I must say that Mr. Freeze’s signature move of freezing large groups of people and city centers is quite characteristic, considering the hint in his name itself. However, it doesn’t excuse his actions in the film “Batman & Robin”. Instead of pursuing a cure for his comatose wife, he transformed an entire metropolitan area into a winter landscape. It’s a significant shift in motives that raises questions about his intentions and actions.

When John Matrix Lifted A Phone Booth Above His Head (Commando)

In the movie “Commando”, John Matrix demonstrates versatility, particularly excelling in physical combat and lethal force. One memorable instance is when he tried to retaliate against Sully by violently lifting a phone booth over his head after punching it. If nobody had intervened, one can only imagine the potential destruction or chaos that might have ensued.

When Harry Tasker Arrests His Wife Then Forces Her To Seduce A Mysterious Man (True Lies)

Wow, it’s amazing that Helen didn’t end things with Harry Tasker after the events in True Lies. Deceiving one’s spouse is already questionable, but things get even more complicated when he not only arrests her but also makes him woo a mysterious man (who was actually him), all because he caught her enjoying herself with a scam artist she thought was an actual spy. That’s a solid reason for divorce in at least 37 states.

The Time The Terminator Drove A Car Into A Police Station (The Terminator)

In “The Terminator,” the famous phrase “I’ll be back” carries a heavy impact. When conventional methods fail, the relentless robot, T-800, resorts to extreme measures. Instead of gaining access to the police station peacefully, it crashes a car into the front desk, tragically taking the life of the unfortunate clerk.

The Party Pooper Scene (Kindergarten Cop)

Prior to John Kimble’s role as a shouting teacher in “Kindergarten Cop,” he was known for being a stern enforcer, relentlessly taking down various types of criminals. In the beginning of this amusing action-comedy, bearded Kimble seems to have zero tolerance; anyone even remotely suspicious or potentially criminal gets eliminated by him without warning. Essentially, he bursts onto the scene with gunfire!

Howard Yelling For Ted To ‘Put The Cookie Down!’ (Jingle All The Way)

In the movie “Jingle all the Way”, Ted’s behavior towards Howard Langston’s wife is undeniably despicable, yet it seems unfair to deny him a simple treat like the cookie. This scene from the 1996 holiday-themed family comedy remains one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most memorable performances, but there’s no need to shout so loudly about it.

When Howard Langston Fought A Warehouse Of Santas (Jingle All The Way)

In the movie “Jingle All the Way,” Howard Langston doesn’t exactly shine as a model husband, father, neighbor, friend, or human in general. Instead, he goes overboard in his efforts to compensate for neglecting his family duties for so long. However, battling an entire warehouse filled with Santas? That’s quite excessive, Howard. Channel that enthusiasm towards helping Ted instead.

When Conan Turned The Tables On A Vulture (Conan The Barbarian)

The film “Conan the Barbarian” is filled with raw, imaginative, and brutal action – a characteristic often seen in movies directed by John Milius. One particularly gruesome scene occurs when Conan is nailed to the Tree of Woe. While he’s dying, a vulture starts pecking at him. Instead of shooing it away, Conan grabs the bird and devours it, displaying an unyielding level of ferocity. If you were expecting a more polite response from him, think again!

The Time Dutch Threw A Knife And Let A Soldier Slowly Bleed Out (Predator)

Many individuals might not recall that at the start of Predator, Dutch and his team swiftly overpower a band of soldiers far within the rainforest. In other words, it’s possible that numerous people have totally overlooked the moment when Dutch plunged a knife into a soldier’s chest, allowing the man to suffer painfully as he bled out.

Ben Richards Telling Damon Killian How He’s Going To Kill Him (The Running Man)

In an incredibly clear manner, Ben Richards threatens Damon Killian with his life, which is perhaps one of the most direct attempts at intimidating a villain on screen. And it’s important to note that Ben is not a deceiver; Damon learns this fact before the end of the movie.

When Jericho Cane Told The Devil He Was A ‘Choir Boy’ (End Of Days)

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s characters aren’t always forced to use violence to intimidate villains; this is demonstrated by Jericho Cane (what an intriguing film title), from the movie “End of Days“. Recall the instance when he labeled the devil as a “choir boy” in comparison to himself? He didn’t necessarily need to give the devil such a harsh reprimand.

Joseph P. Brenner Telling Monique She Shouldn’t ‘Drink And Bake’ (Raw Deal)

It’s worth noting that the film “Raw Deal” featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger is frequently underestimated, which is regrettable because it contains some of his most outrageous and violent one-liners as an action star. However, nothing compares to the scene where Joseph P. Brenner has a heated argument with his wife and sarcastically remarks, “You really shouldn’t mix drinking and baking,” following her throwing a cake at him.

The ‘You’ve Just Been Erased’ Scene (Eraser)

If you’re interested in discussing something chilly, then give “Eraser” a try. In this movie, John Kruger takes an unconventional route to seek revenge against Robert DeGuerin. He masterminds his own demise by devising a plan. Here’s the intriguing part: he arranges for the villain’s limo to halt on a railway track. Right before a train smashes into him, Kruger coolly says, “You’ve just been erased.

When The Terminator Told The Gas Station Clerk To ‘Talk To The Hand’ (Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines)

Is the movie “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” enjoyable to watch? Not really, it’s quite the opposite. However, it does feature one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most witty and seemingly pointless moments ever – when the future-sent killing machine sarcastically tells a gas station clerk to “talk to the hand.” I mean, what was the purpose behind that interaction?

The ‘Divorce’ Scene (Total Recall)

Similar to numerous iconic ’90s action films, Total Recall is filled with one thrilling scene after another. For instance, there’s the surprising point in the narrative where Douglas Quaid discovers his spouse is secretly an agent and requests a divorce before fatally attacking her – quite a twist, isn’t it?

The Garden Shed Scene (Commando)

One particularly gruesome scene in the movie ‘Commando’ occurs during the garden shed fight where John Matrix engages multiple mercenaries. He dispatches one with a pitchfork, another with a circular saw blade, yet another with an axe, and then hacks off the final soldier’s arm using a machete.

The Time Hercules Fought A Bear (Hercules In New York)

Don’t forget about “Hercules in New York,” the very first film of Arnold Schwarzenegger? It’s worth watching since he has a fight with a bear in it, that’s correct!

Pretty Much The Entire Movie (Last Action Hero)

Over the past 30 years, Last Action Hero has developed a devoted fanbase, and now more people are realizing the clever satire in John McTiernan’s action film. Instead of providing specific instances, we’ll simply note that Jack Slater’s attacks exhibit an unnecessary level of force throughout the movie.

2025-01-28 16:39