The Last Stand (2013)

The leader of a drug cartel busts out of a courthouse and speeds to the Mexican border, where the only thing in his path is a sheriff and his inexperienced staff.

Director:

Kim Jee-Woon

Writer:

Andrew Knauer

Stars:

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Arnold Schwarzenegger	...	Ray Owens
Forest Whitaker	...	Agent John Bannister
Titos Menchaca	...	Mayor
Peter Stormare	...	Burrell
Richard Dillard	...	Irv
Eduardo Noriega	...	Gabriel Cortez
Luis Guzmán	...	Mike Figuerola
Jaimie Alexander	...	Sarah Torrance
Mathew Greer	...	Sam
Johnny Knoxville	...	Lewis Dinkum
Chris Browning	...	Pony Tail
Zach Gilford	...	Jerry Bailey
Christiana Leucas	...	Christie
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Mr. Parsons
Genesis Rodriguez	...	Agent Ellen Richards

Storyline

Sheriff Owens is a man who has resigned himself to a life of fighting what little crime takes place in sleepy border town Sommerton Junction after leaving his LAPD post following a bungled operation that left him wracked with failure and defeat after his partner was crippled. After a spectacular escape from an FBI prisoner convoy, the most notorious, wanted drug kingpin in the hemisphere is hurtling toward the border at 200 mph in a specially outfitted car with a hostage and a fierce army of gang members. He is headed, it turns out, straight for Summerton Junction, where the whole of U.S. law enforcement will have their last opportunity to make a stand and intercept him before he slips across the border forever. At first reluctant to become involved, and then counted out because of the perceived ineptitude of his small town force, Owens ultimately accepts responsibility for the face off.

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Plot Keywords:

deputy | sheriff | arizona | fbi agent | prisoner | 

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Taglines:

Retirarse es para los cobardes (Retiring is for the cowards)

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Lionsgate [United States] Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

El último desafío

Filming Locations:

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$6,281,433 (USA) (18 January 2013)

Gross:

$12,026,670 (USA) (22 February 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Di Bonaventura Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Arnold Schwarzenegger's first lead role since Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

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Goofs

In a closeup of Jerry's desk his phone is not connected.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jerry Bailey: [getting on the radio after being passed] Dispatch...
Dispatcher: Go ahead...
Jerry Bailey: Contact the FAA and tell them some smart ass is flying a plane around out here without any lights.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.88 (2013)

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Soundtracks

"Blue Moon Revisited (Song For Elvis)"
Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
Performed by Cowboy Junkies
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Canada and The RCA Records Label
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Arnold is back for the Last Stand

After brief cameos in films like the Rundown and Expendables, we finally got a glimpse of a possible return to form for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Finally his first full length solo action film is here with The Last Stand. As if this wasn't exciting enough, add to the mix I Saw The Devil director Jee-woon Kim at the helm, it has the makings of a great comeback.

The Last Stand follows a former LAPD detective who is now the sheriff of a small quiet town and enjoying the peaceful life. When a notorious drug kingpin escapes FBI custody in a supped up corvette the only thing standing between him and the border is this small town and the sheriff who has vowed to protect it. The story here is pretty simple and in anyone else's hands would have probably been a throw away film. Thankfully Jee-woon Kim brings his signature dynamic style taking this film to a much more entertaining visual level. If there was any concern with Arnold being able to live up to his famous line "I'll be back" being accurate you can relax because he is back in a big way. This film takes a bit of a step back and moves a bit slowly at first letting the story build a bit instead of just flooding it with action. When the smaller action pieces, if you can call any of them that, do occur they are pretty high octane and fun to watch. All this builds up to a full on blood bath ensuing old west action show down featuring all the explosions, guns, blood and fun you could want in an Arnold film. Make no mistake this is a popcorn action film that hearkens back to the old school action films of the 80's and 90's when they delivered. The cast is great and each delivers a fun performance featuring Johnny Knoxville who while brief brings some of the funniest moments, Luis Guzman who is right there holding his own, Forest Whitaker, and Peter Stormare. Arnold still delivers his cheesy one-liners like a pro, but has moved on from the usual ones that were starting to run their course. His years in office clearly have made him a better speaker, hence a better actor.

Arnold may not be as fast or agile as he once was, but he still manages to show he can hold his own with the best of them. This film not only gets Arnold back where he belongs on the big screen it also kicks off a movie year that almost feels like the old days of action again with numerous franchise and action icons bringing the pain in 2013. Arnold has always said he would be back and he is better than ever. If you were ever an Arnold fan, then get ready for a film that will spark the visual crazy fun that's been missing in this genre for a long time.