Before the series adaptation of “True Lies” is due in the near future, another 90s classic by Arnold Schwarzenegger has now been reissued with “Eraser: Reborn”. The “Eraser” sequel is now available as VOD.
Since Arnold Schwarzenegger has been in front of the camera again after the end of his term as governor of California, he has continued where he left off in many places – for example with other “Terminator” films. At the same time, some of his famous action hits are being breathed new life into without his presence: just a few days ago we saw the first picture from the “True Lies” series, in which Steve Howey slips into the role of the Styrian oak . The recently released “Eraser: Reborn” is even now available to take home.
The sequel or new edition of Chuck Russell’s action thriller “Eraser”, in which Arnie risks his life to give people at risk a new start through the witness protection program, was shown on the screen in Germany from March 31, 2022. Just six weeks after its theatrical release, “Eraser: Reborn” is now available in streaming – as a purchase VOD on popular platforms such as Amazon Prime Video (DVD and Blu-ray will follow on June 15):
» “Eraser: Reborn” on Amazon Prime Video*
» “Eraser: Reborn” DVD & Blu-ray on Amazon*
While film fans in this country often have to wait longer until a film finds its way from overseas to Germany, in the case of “Eraser: Reborn” it is exceptionally the other way around: The film ends up even before its US premiere in the local home cinemas! In the USA, the film will be released on June 7th without any prior theatrical release. But be careful: The direct-to-video strategy there is no coincidence…
“Eraser: Reborn”: Loveless, unnecessary, embarrassing
In terms of content, director John Pogue, whom trash fans know for horror pickles such as “Quarantäne 2” or “Deep Blue Sea 3”, is following well-known paths, which ultimately means: He tells the well-known story again – and enriches it them with ideas ranging from the uncreative to the insane.
Instead of Arnold Schwarzenegger, it is now “Shadowhunters” star Dominic Sherwood who, as US Marshall Mason Pollard, is helping key witnesses to go underground. He uses every conceivable means to fake her death so that they can later live a quiet life under a completely new identity. His latest assignment: he is to help Rina Kimura (Jacky Lai) to leave her old life behind – and protect her from the henchmen of her criminal ex. But even fleeing to Cape Town, thousands of kilometers away, doesn’t help. Rina is tracked down and fears for her life. And Pollard? He is facing his toughest mission so far, because he seems to have a traitor in his ranks…
Why exactly one of the less popular Schwarzenegger actioners had to be continued or reissued after a whole quarter of a century is something that the makers themselves probably don’t know. The action is solid here and there, but even at best it’s nothing more than generic banging , which you get to see better in numerous other films month after month. The plot is completely uninspired and even for those who aren’t familiar with the genre, it’s easy to see through after just a few moments. The dialogues are also so wooden and far-fetched that it almost hurts. One of the biggest problems of the film is “the absolute charm vacuum of Schwarzenegger substitute Dominic Sherwood”on which DashFUN chief critic Christoph Petersen hardly leaves a good hair.
And by the final act at the very latest, even die-hard direct-to-video action fans will probably lose their faith, when the hitherto not-too-original thriller mutates into absolute noble trash. Granted, perhaps in the tradition of the alligator scene in the original, the film simply had to have at least one terribly animated animal horror scene as well. “Eraser: Reborn” not only has several of them, but above all one that should amuse even those responsible for the “Sharknado” forge Asylum.
Our tip: Stick to the original with Arnie! That’s not really good, but it’s not really bad either.
*The links to the Amazon offer are so-called affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will receive a commission.
