The Pitch: Arnold Schwarzenegger performs a troublesome, grizzled undercover agent who hops across the globe, taking down unhealthy guys and saving the world — all whereas his suburban household is none the wiser. Sure, that’s the plot of True Lies, however it’s additionally the plot of Netflix’s FUBAR, Arnold’s first time because the lead of a tv present (at 75!). Right here, he performs the 65-year-old (positive) Luke Brunner, whose civilian cowl is operating a boutique health club tools retailer along with his ex-wife Tally (Fabiana Udenio) when he’s not swanning off to punch extra terrorists within the face.
However his personal double life will get an enormous actuality examine when, on his newest mission to cease a South American drug lord (Gabriel Luna), he discovers that his estranged twentysomething daughter Emma (High Gun: Maverick’s Monica Barbaro) is additionally on that mission, and it seems she’s been a CIA agent this complete time too! The shock!
With their respective covers blown, they’re pressured to lastly work collectively and hash out their skilled and private points — all whereas determining tips on how to maintain their superspy lives a secret from their family members.
Leverage-ing Arnold’s Star Energy: There’s one thing innately charming, and but deeply cynical, in regards to the idea of ol’ Arnie coming again to TV for a retread of the form of work he made his nut on within the ’80s and ’90s. In his post-Governatorial profession, Schwarzenegger has tried mightily to return to the movie-star fold (Terminator: Darkish Destiny, the Expendables collection) and stretch his legs as a dramatic actor (Maggie). However most not too long ago, he’s leaned into the form of cheeky meta-humor nature of his personal casting. On this respect, FUBAR feels not in contrast to the execrable Taran Killam car Killing Gunther — a milquetoast comedy whose total premise hinges on audiences saying, “Hey, that’s Arnold! Doing Arnold stuff! I do not forget that!”
However the “True Lies, however what if a father and daughter are each the spy?” premise holds some promise, and to be truthful the present’s only moments come when Schwarzenegger and Barbaro get to discover this in depth. At its coronary heart, FUBAR is a present a few distant father realizing his daughter’s taking place the identical flawed path he’s, and attempting to maintain her from making the identical errors. That stuff’s pretty attention-grabbing, and the pair have some strong chemistry once they get to take a seat down and discuss how the attract of their thrilling secret lives can pull them away from the folks they love essentially the most.
To be truthful to the previous Mr. Universe, he’s giving it as a lot as he can at his superior age. His Luke Brunner is hardly the beefy superman of Commando and Predator; the present’s modest funds doesn’t conceal the seams between Arnold and his military of stunt doubles very aptly. However let’s see you dive behind crates whereas capturing pistols if you hit your golden years!
FUBAR (Netflix)
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