Collateral Damage Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Firefighter’s family dies, so he becomes a one-man army in Colombia, fighting drug lords and terrorists because bureaucracy is too slow; basically, Home Alone, but with explosions and a much angrier Kevin.

🍿 Collateral Damage: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Tragedy Strikes Los Angeles

Gordy Brewer, a Los Angeles firefighter, is set to meet his wife and son for lunch when a bomb explodes at the Colombian Consulate. Tragically, his family is killed in the blast, leaving him devastated. The attack is claimed by a Colombian terrorist group led by Claudio ‘The Wolf’ Perrini.

Frustration and a Descent into Vengeance

Frustrated with the slow pace of the official investigation and feeling that the government is more interested in political solutions than justice, Gordy decides to take matters into his own hands. He begins to track down those responsible for the bombing, ultimately leading him to Colombia and the heart of the terrorist organization.

Infiltration and Alliance

Gordy travels to Colombia, navigating dangerous territories and encountering various individuals who aid or hinder his quest. He forms an uneasy alliance with Selena, Claudio’s wife, who also lost a child in a bombing. Together, they uncover a plot for another terrorist attack in Washington, D.C.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gordy Brewer (Arnold Schwarzenegger): A determined firefighter who seeks revenge after his wife and son are killed in a terrorist bombing.
• Claudio ‘El Lobo’ Perrini (Cliff Curtis): The Colombian terrorist leader initially believed to be responsible for the bombing that killed Gordy’s family.
• Selena Perrini (Francesca Neri): Claudio’s wife, who initially appears sympathetic but is later revealed to be the true mastermind behind the terrorist plot.
• Peter Brandt (Elias Koteas): A CIA Special Agent and Colombia Station Chief who aids Brewer in his pursuit, but is later killed.
• Felix Ramirez (John Leguizamo): A drug runner and manager of a cocaine distribution facility, who becomes a reluctant source of information for Brewer.
• Sean Armstrong (John Turturro): A Canadian mechanic and explosives expert, who provides Brewer with a guerrilla zone pass and valuable information.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Claudio “The Wolf” Perrini: “When are you going to kill me?” – The terrorist Claudio asks Brewer this question, showing a mix of defiance and resignation.
• Gordon Brewer: “NOW!” – Brewer responds to Claudio’s question with a fierce declaration before their final confrontation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $85,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $40,077,257
• Worldwide Gross: $78,382,433

💥 Collateral Damage Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie as a kid, and the opening bombing scene really stuck with me. It’s hard to deny the action is exciting. Schwarzenegger is classic Arnold, going from grief-stricken dad to unstoppable force. While the plot has its flaws, it’s a decent action film. I found myself rooting for him as he went on his mission, despite how over-the-top it all got!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger”
  • “Viewers interested in action-thriller movies”
  • “People who enjoy stories about revenge”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Terrorism”
  • “Death of family members”
  • “Explosions”
  • “Gun violence”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Collateral Damage delivers exactly what you’d expect from an Arnold Schwarzenegger action flick: explosions, one-liners, and a whole lot of improbable scenarios. The story is flimsy, but if you’re looking for pure escapism, it provides a decent dose.
• The New York Times: “While Collateral Damage attempts to tackle serious themes of terrorism and revenge, it ultimately falls flat, relying too heavily on formulaic action sequences. Schwarzenegger is reliably stoic, but the script offers little depth or nuance.
• Variety: “Andrew Davis’s Collateral Damage delivers solid action sequences, but the film struggles to balance its thriller elements with a poignant and tragic storyline. It’s watchable but lacks the depth and emotional weight it aims to achieve.

Audience Reactions

The action sequences are intense and keep you on the edge of your seat.: Viewers appreciate the film’s high-octane action and explosive set pieces.

Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a strong performance, especially in the emotional scenes.: Fans enjoy Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of a father seeking vengeance.

Overall Consensus: Collateral Damage is a mixed bag, offering entertaining action but lacking depth. While not Schwarzenegger’s best, fans of the genre will find it enjoyable.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s release was delayed due to its storyline involving terrorism, as it was originally scheduled to come out shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks.”
• “A scene featuring Sofia Vergara as an airplane hijacker was cut from the movie following the 9/11 attacks, due to its sensitive nature.”

🖥️ How to Watch Collateral Damage?

Collateral Damage is available to rent or purchase on various platforms. Check streaming services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for rental and purchase options. Physical copies (DVDs, Blu-rays) can be found through online retailers like Amazon and at local stores that sell movies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Collateral Damage, you might like these similar films:

• Man on Fire (2004): Features a protagonist seeking revenge against those who harmed a child under their protection, sharing the theme of vigilante justice and intense action.
• Commando (1985): Another Schwarzenegger action film where he plays a one-man army seeking revenge for the kidnapping of his daughter, offering similar over-the-top action.
• Taken (2008): A modern action thriller where a father uses his special skills to rescue his daughter from kidnappers, resonating with the theme of a parent’s relentless pursuit of justice.

🛒 Collateral Damage Related Products

• Collateral Damage [Blu-ray]: Experience the action in high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Includes behind-the-scenes features and director’s commentary.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger – The Ultimate Action Collection [DVD]: A collection of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s greatest action films, including Predator, Terminator 2 and True Lies and some of his best one-liners.
• Collateral Damage Movie Poster: High-quality reprint of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating a home theater or adding to a movie memorabilia collection.
• Firefighter Action Figure – Inspired by ‘Collateral Damage’: Limited edition action figure of a firefighter, complete with detailed gear. Inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s role in Collateral Damage. Great as a gift to an action figure collector or movie fan.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Sindrome de caim (Bang Bang-Long)” – performed by DJ Jamaika

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

That Time Bill Hader Was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Personal Assistant | The Dan Patrick Show | 9/4/19

Ever wonder what it was like to work with Arnold? Bill Hader spills the beans about being Arnold’s assistant during Collateral Damage. This story about Arnold and a chess game is hilarious, you have to check it out!

Arnold’s Collateral Damage Proved Revenge Is AWESOME – Best Movie Ever

Want a hot take on Collateral Damage? This video makes a very strong (and funny) argument about the movie’s portrayal of revenge. I don’t know if I agree with everything, but it’s definitely thought-provoking!

What Happened to Collateral?

Think Collateral is an underrated gem? This video dives deep into how the movie was made and why it deserves more recognition. After watching this, you will definitely want to rewatch Collateral.

✨ Rate