Arnold’s ‘Sabotage’ Surprisingly Tops Starz Charts: The Action Movie That Refuses to Die

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Fans of director David Ayer are eager for his upcoming reunion with Jason Statham in “A Working Man”, while simultaneously rediscovering one of Ayer’s less celebrated works from 2014, as it gains popularity among a newer audience on Starz. Interestingly, one of the director’s lesser-known films is currently topping the streaming charts on Starz, marking another instance in a series of mostly forgotten action movies that have experienced a resurgence thanks to streaming services.

Previously known for hard-hitting action films such as “Training Day”, Ayer ventured into the realm of the fantastical with “Suicide Squad” in 2016 and achieved significant success with “The Beekeeper” last year, both in cinemas and on Amazon Prime Video. However, “Sabotage” failed to make an impact when it was released, earning a dismal 21% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing only $22 million at the box office, significantly under its $35 million budget.

In the film, Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays John “Breacher” Wharton, the head of a top-tier DEA squad focused on daring operations targeting lethal drug cartels. During a raid on a cartel’s hideout, they find and take $10 million, intending to divide it among themselves once the danger passes. However, complications arise when the money disappears, and after being reinstated following an internal inquiry, Breacher finds his team members mysteriously meeting their ends one by one. This leaves Breacher in a desperate hunt to uncover the killer before time runs out.

The movie seems to follow a typical action-thriller plotline, which was essentially its course of action. Despite having actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington, Olivia Williams, Joe Manganiello, and Josh Holloway who can deliver in such films, the script unfortunately did not have enough depth to salvage it.

‘Sabotage’ Lived Up to Its Name Thanks To Studio Cuts

Despite receiving harsh criticism from critics and modest appreciation from audiences, it’s plausible to assume that the movie was a total flop. However, it was recognized as one of Schwarzenegger’s stronger performances after his comeback to Hollywood following his term as California’s Governor. Nevertheless, as several people noted, even if Arnie gave his best efforts, it was challenging not to be overshadowed by the excessive violence that seemed to serve no purpose other than itself.

During the chaos of the collateral damage, Schwarzenegger’s character Breacher took on a more nuanced and complex portrayal for the actor. Although it still featured Arnie dishing out his typical brand of revenge and justice, Breacher’s past connections with the cartel and personal tragedies added depth to his role in the film, making it slightly more multi-dimensional. This character development was seen as a means for director Ayer to blur the distinctions between good and evil, a theme he often explores in his creative work. Initially, the movie reportedly had much richer character development, running over three hours before being condensed by the studio into a more manageable 109 minutes. The call for “The Ayer Cut” can still be heard faintly.

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2025-01-19 01:33