Broken Arrow Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A disgruntled pilot steals nukes to prove a point about…something, but a cooler pilot and a surprisingly capable park ranger are all, “Nuh-uh!” and then things explode a lot.

🍿 Broken Arrow: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: A Broken Arrow in the Making

Major Vic Deakins and Captain Riley Hale, skilled Air Force pilots, are tasked with a top-secret exercise involving a B-3 Stealth Bomber carrying two live nuclear weapons. During the flight over Utah, Deakins initiates a deadly game by attempting to kill Hale, setting the stage for a high-stakes conflict. This act triggers a ‘Broken Arrow’ situation, signifying lost nuclear weapons.

Desert Pursuit: Hale and Carmichael’s Alliance

After surviving Deakins’ attack, Hale teams up with park ranger Terry Carmichael to track down Deakins and prevent his sinister plan from unfolding. Their pursuit leads them through the rugged landscapes of Utah, where they encounter mercenaries and navigate perilous situations. This unlikely alliance becomes crucial in stopping Deakins.

The Mine and the Train: Escalating Danger

The chase intensifies as Deakins’ plot to detonate a nuclear warhead unfolds. Hale and Carmichael confront Deakins in an abandoned copper mine, where a warhead explodes, forcing them to escape through an underground river. The pursuit culminates on a speeding train, where the final showdown takes place.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Vic Deakins (John Travolta): A disgruntled Air Force pilot who betrays his country by stealing nuclear warheads to hold the government for ransom.
• Riley Hale (Christian Slater): A captain and Deakins’ co-pilot who becomes determined to stop Deakins’ plan to detonate the stolen nuclear weapons.
• Terry Carmichael (Samantha Mathis): A resourceful park ranger who teams up with Hale to stop Deakins and prevent a nuclear disaster.
• Colonel Max Wilkins (Delroy Lindo): A U.S. military officer who assists in the pursuit of Deakins and the recovery of the stolen nuclear warheads.
• Kelly (Howie Long): Deakins’ ruthless henchman and mercenary who helps him steal and transport the nuclear weapons.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Vic Deakins: “God damn, what a rush!” – Deakins exclaims this after successfully ejecting Hale and initiating his plan to steal the nuclear weapons, reveling in the chaos.
• Vic Deakins: “This isn’t a war, it’s an exercise.” – Deakins says this to Hale before betraying him, highlighting his deceptive nature and foreshadowing the shift from training to a real conflict.
• Secretary Baird: “Broken Arrow. It’s a Class 4 Strategic Theatre Emergency. It’s what we call it when we lose a nuclear weapon.” – Secretary Baird defines “Broken Arrow”, emphasizing the gravity and official term for losing a nuke.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $70,770,147
• Worldwide Gross: $150,270,147

💥 Broken Arrow Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing Broken Arrow in the theater back in the 90s. The action was over-the-top, but Travolta really sold the villain role; that’s what I loved most. The whole train sequence and the final showdown kept me on the edge of my seat, even though it got a little goofy. I found myself really invested in whether Slater’s character would stop him. I like that the park ranger wasn’t a damsel in distress, either. All the explosions and gunfire were just pure entertainment and really made the film stand out.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 90s action movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy films with suspense and military themes”
  • “People who like John Travolta’s villainous roles”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense action violence”
  • “Explosions and gunfights”
  • “Themes of nuclear threat”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Woo’s American action style hits a peak with Broken Arrow; great direction, solid casting, and an interesting story make the whole movie work as intended.
• Empire Magazine: “Broken Arrow isn’t deep, but it delivers exactly what it promises: high-octane action, memorable villains, and impressive stunts. Travolta chews the scenery with glee, while Slater provides a grounded counterpoint.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “While the plot strains credulity, the movie offers genuine thrills and a surprisingly engaging dynamic between Travolta and Slater. Woo’s signature action sequences are visually arresting.

Audience Reactions

John Travolta’s performance as the villain is a major highlight.: Viewers enjoyed the non-stop action and the chemistry between Travolta and Slater.

The train sequence is amazing.: Many people found the action sequences fun and entertaining despite being over the top.

Overall Consensus: Broken Arrow delivers high-octane action with a memorable villain, making it an entertaining, if somewhat implausible, 90s action flick.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Woo’s earlier cut of the film was longer, featuring more character development and violence, but was shortened for the theatrical release.”
• “Hans Zimmer composed the score, including a memorable guitar theme for John Travolta’s character, Deakins, played by Duane Eddy.”
• “Filming locations included Marble Canyon, Arizona, showcasing the majestic American West.”
• “The B-3 Stealth Bomber in the movie is a fictional advanced version of the real B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.”

🖥️ How to Watch Broken Arrow?

Broken Arrow is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Broken Arrow, you might like these similar films:

• Face/Off (1997): Also directed by John Woo, it features over-the-top action, stylized gunfights, and John Travolta in a prominent role.
• The Peacemaker (1997): Features a rogue military officer stealing nuclear weapons, requiring a specialist and a soldier to recover them.
• Executive Decision (1996): Another mid-90s action thriller involving terrorists and a high-stakes rescue mission, appealing to the same audience.
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018): Modern action film with elaborate set pieces, a globe-trotting plot, and the threat of nuclear weapons falling into the wrong hands.

🛒 Broken Arrow Related Products

• Broken Arrow (Blu-ray): Experience Broken Arrow in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Includes behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, offering a deeper dive into the making of this action classic.
• John Travolta Movie Collection (DVD): Own a piece of Hollywood history with the John Travolta Movie Collection. Includes fan favorites like Pulp Fiction, Face/Off, and Broken Arrow, showcasing Travolta’s versatility and charisma.
• Stealth Bomber Model Kit: Build your own B-3 Stealth Bomber model kit, inspired by the aircraft in Broken Arrow. This detailed kit features realistic parts and decals, perfect for aviation enthusiasts and collectors.
• Hans Zimmer: The Classics: Enjoy the iconic film scores of Hans Zimmer with this digital music collection. Featuring tracks from Broken Arrow, Gladiator, and The Lion King, this album is a must-have for Zimmer fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

Broken Arrow features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Brothers” – performed by Hans Zimmer
• “Roll Tide” – performed by Hans Zimmer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

When Your Career Is All Over the Place – John Travolta

Delve into the fascinating career journey of John Travolta, from his highs of Oscar nominations to his lows of Razzie awards. This video offers a unique perspective on the actor’s rise, fall, and resurgence.

Dewey’s Theme – Scream 2 Soundtrack

Did you know that the iconic track in Scream 2 actually originated in Broken Arrow? This video uncovers the intriguing musical connection between these two films, adding a fun and unexpected twist to the Broken Arrow story.

Broken Arrow Soundtrack Theme – Hans Zimmer

Prepare to dive into the world of film music! This video dissects the Broken Arrow soundtrack, revealing a unique alternate version of the theme that showcases the genius of Hans Zimmer. Get ready for an immersive musical experience.

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