"Broken arrow" is a military term for a nuclear warhead that has been stolen -- and villainous Air Force pilot Vic Deakins (John Travolta) has done just that. In fact, he's pilfered TWO bombs, in an effort to extract a huge amount of cash from the government in exchange for their safe return. However, there's a fly in the ambitious thief's ointment: Riley Hale (Christian Slater), Vic's former co-pilot, whom Vic thought he had killed when he robbed the bombs. Helping Riley is gutsy female Park Ranger Terry Carmichael (Samantha Mathis). Together the duo uses all the artillery, ammo, vehicles, and gumption they can muster, as they risk life and limb to thwart Vic and his vile gang. Hong Kong action specialist John Woo propels the film through trains, Humvees, exploding helicopters and more.
2.
Two military pilots (Travolta and Slater) engage in a no-holds-barred battle against time and each other in a race to recover two stolen nuclear warheads.
When a B-3 Stealth Bomber crashes in the Utah desert during a top-secret test run, the military quickly moves in to retrieve its two "broken arrows." But the situation spins wildly out of control after one of the pilots reveals the crash to be part of an incredible nuclear extortion plot.
A supersonic hit from renowned action director John Woo, Broken Arrow is "a breathless non-stop joyride." --Dennis Cunningham, WCBS-TV.
3.
John Travolta is Vic Deakins, a bomber pilot who launches a devilish plan to hijack two nuclear missiles for big-time extortion. Vic never sweats, spews out great one-liners, knocks off money men with glee, toys with killing half a million people ... he even smokes!
If you giggled at his "Ain't it cool" line from the trailer, you're in the right frame of mind for this comedic action film. Never as gritty or semi-realistic--or for that matter as heart-thumping--as the original DieHard, Broken Arrow still delivers. If Travolta is cast against type, everyone else is by the numbers; Christian Slater as Hale, the earnest copilot looking to foil the plot, Samantha Mathis as the brave park ranger caught in the middle, Frank Whaley as an eager diplomat and Delroy Lindo as a right-minded colonel. As with his previous script (the superior Speed), writer Graham Yost moves everything quickly along as Hale and the ranger try to cut off Deakins's plan over a variety of terrains. There are plane crashes, car chases, a pursuit through an abandoned mine, a helicopter-train shootout and lots of fighting between boys. Each time Hale finds himself perfectly in place to foil Deakins, you're suppose to laugh at the unbelievable situations. That's where Broken Arrow is deceptive: its tone is right for the laughter compared to the mean-spirited Schwarzenegger and Stallone action films with laboured jokes. Hong Kong master director John Woo (TheKiller and Hard Target) pulls out all the stops--slow motion of Hale and Deakins' gymnastic gun play, nifty stunts, countdowns to doomsday. Woo may know action but he needs more guidance in creating unique and stunning special effects. This is action entertainment at its cheesiest. Travolta and Woolater reteamed for Face/Off. --Doug Thomas
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