DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: ARNOLD - Miniseries

4/5

Looking BACK.

3 Episodes. Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger. Director: Lesley Chilcott. On: Netflix. 

Hey, Arnold, how about another 'Total Recall' on your American dream of a career? 'Arnold' is the perfect accompaniment to Schwarzenegger's amazing autobiography, block built like his body, 'My Unbelievably True Life Story', released over a decade ago in 2012. Streaming on Netflix right after they debuted his funny new, formidable, family action series 'Fubar'. 'The Terminator' taking over the service like SkyNet, thanks to some hilarious A.I. (he told you the 'End Of Days' was coming) across all those shows you continue watching, but will never be the same again. What a time to be Arnie! Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a f###ing unique career beyond all recognition, and this documentary miniseries directed with decadence and definition by Lesley Chilcott ('Watson', 'CodeGirl', 'Waiting For "Superman"') tells his life story in three acts. 

'The Athlete' looks at the bodybuilder who came from chopping wood and lifting tree trunks in the forests of Austria, to the Muscle Beach of Los Angeles' Venice Beach. The Hollywood star beginning of his American Walk of Fame dream. Hulking strength that even made Lou Ferringo green with envy. 'The Austrian Oak'. More medals than most countries rack up in the Olympics. Mr. Olympia seven-times over. Mr. Universe. The world was his like a lifetime membership to Gold's Gym. 'Pumping Iron' like that iconic documentary, not to mention the legendary line about comparing lifting weights to coming (I guess it really is "pumping iron") that certified his cinematic coming out party. Just like he said suited and booted in 'True Lies', "here's my invitation". BOOM! 

'Hercules in New York'? Nah! How about Arnie goes to Hollywood. 'The Actor' looks at the most famous chapter of his life biography featuring faces like James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Danny DeVito (with the best line ever after stealing his on 'Fubar') and friend and former enemy, the Sly Stallone. Terrific testimonials and tributes feed the Seymour of your nostalgia for a time when action heroes were action heroes and big blockbusters were exactly that before this expendable (although those fun films bring it all back) age. From taking over from OJ Simpson as 'The Terminator' because they couldn't believe the former footballer would be a convincing killer (yep), to showing the mechanics of movement behind the machine and the origins of that infamous line. To all the 'Predator's' and 'Barbarians' that came before and after. Just like the 'Junior' and 'Twins' (the character Arnold says he's most like) classic forays into comedy for the multi-talented running man. As this mega movie star became a Friday night fixture like Conan or introducing his next career choice on Jay Leno. 

When Arnold Schwarzenegger was just a boy in Austria he dreamt of being the best bodybuilding champion in the world. Check! He dreamed of being a world-famous action actor and movie star. And you know he did that. But like Sly quipped in 'The Expendables' right in front of his face to the great Bruce Willis (thank you for the movie memories, champ. Stay strong), "he want(ed) to be President too." That one is kind of a Tom Cruise mission. But the 38th governor of California ('The Governator') ain't half bad. Living amongst the Kennedy's helped him complete the ultimate American dream trilogy. Arnold Schwarzenegger's ex-wife Maria Shriver declined the opportunity to tell her story in the documentary, but Arnold expresses great regret over his affair, but of course, not the wonderful son in Patrick that it gave him. Back to politics as usual, republicans can be fiscally conservative and socially liberal too, but some of his decisions remain controversial. Such is the nature of politics and the opposing sides of debate. 

Schwarzenegger takes ownership of this, just like his many mistakes. The affair and the numerous allegations of sexual harassment. One thing the running man in politics did recall for the good of the whole wide world that watched him was any "bulls###" nominal percentage goal on climate change. Instead, he took action on global warming. Sure, the inconvenient truth is you can't terminate or erase this catastrophic problem completely in this day and age, but you can sure get to chopping it down, instead of trees. What Schwarzenegger's run did for the environment would make Al Gore proud and was something President Barack Obama continued. 

To this day Arnold campaigns against hate and injustice and all that is Fubar. Whether it's the Trump administration or speaking directly via video to the people of Ukraine or the Russian soldiers who are being lied too. Far from retired as you can see, Schwarzenegger is still working out, making movies and staying politically conscious. That's when he's not shovelling his donkey's s### outside his big, beautiful house. Offering great advice to those who may be going through "s###y" times like we all do. Get to work. "Be of use!" Bringing back a time when we simply put it DAOWN! This last action hero isn't stopping at seventy, and why should he? Everything else he wished for, he worked for and made it all come true. Straight out of Austria, there's no better example of the American dream than Arnold. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Fubar', 'Pumping Iron', 'The Terminator'.