The Pitch: Arnold Schwarzenegger performs a tricky, 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, but it surely’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 (certain) Luke Brunner, whose civilian cowl is working a boutique gymnasium 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 test when, on his newest mission to cease a South American drug lord (Gabriel Luna), he discovers that his estranged twentysomething daughter Emma (Prime Gun: Maverick’s Monica Barbaro) is additionally on that mission, and it seems she’s been a CIA agent this entire time too! The shock!
With their respective covers blown, they’re compelled to lastly work collectively and hash out their skilled and private points — all whereas determining methods to preserve 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, concerning the idea of ol’ Arnie coming again to TV for a retread of the type 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 just lately, he’s leaned into the type of cheeky meta-humor nature of his personal casting. On this respect, FUBAR feels not in contrast to the execrable Taran Killam automobile Killing Gunther — a milquetoast comedy whose complete premise hinges on audiences saying, “Hey, that’s Arnold! Doing Arnold stuff! I keep in mind that!”
However the “True Lies, however what if a father and daughter are each the spy?” premise holds some promise, and to be honest 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 making an attempt to maintain her from making the identical errors. That stuff’s pretty attention-grabbing, and the pair have some stable chemistry once they get to sit down down and speak about how the attract of their thrilling secret lives can pull them away from the individuals they love essentially the most.
To be honest 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 disguise the seams between Arnold and his military of stunt doubles very aptly. However let’s see you dive behind crates whereas taking pictures pistols whenever you hit your golden years!
FUBAR (Netflix)
