Eraser

Details

John Kruger is not your average U.S. Marshal. His job is to erase people - not physically, but administratively - giving high-risk witnesses new identities and new lives. When Lee Cullen uncovers evidence that her defence contractor employer is attempting to sell a cutting-edge electromagnetic "railgun" weapon to foreign buyers, she becomes a liability that powerful people would rather see eliminated.

Kruger is assigned to protect her, but what begins as a straightforward extraction quickly turns into something far more dangerous. Assassins appear before she can even be relocated, and it soon becomes clear that the conspiracy runs deep - uncomfortably deep. Trust becomes a luxury Kruger can no longer afford.

The film delivers exactly what you expect from mid-90s Schwarzenegger: big set pieces, sharp one-liners and increasingly elaborate action sequences. The cargo plane showdown, complete with mid-air chaos and parachute mayhem, is pure blockbuster excess. The infamous CGI alligator sequence, however, has not aged quite so gracefully. Even by 1996 standards it looked ambitious - today it looks. enthusiastic.

James Caan brings weight to the film as Kruger's superior, adding a layer of tension beyond the usual faceless villains, while Vanessa Williams holds her own as more than just a damsel in distress. Still, this is undeniably Arnie's show - stoic, relentless and always ready with a suitably dry quip before pulling the trigger.

Picture & Sound

The transfer is serviceable rather than spectacular. Grain is noticeable throughout and some effects-heavy scenes highlight the limits of mid-90s CGI. That said, the railgun tracer effects remain visually striking and still pack a punch.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is solid, with plenty of activity in the surrounds during gunfights and explosions. While not the most imaginative use of the rear channels, it provides enough impact to keep action fans satisfied. The LFE channel gets regular exercise, particularly during the larger set pieces.

Overall

Eraser may not sit at the very top of Schwarzenegger's action catalogue, but it is an entertaining slice of 90s blockbuster cinema. It delivers spectacle, paranoia, betrayal and enough hardware to satisfy even the most hardened action fan.

The real disappointment lies with the lack of meaningful extras. For a film headlined by one of Hollywood's biggest stars of the era, the absence of a making-of documentary or commentary feels like a missed opportunity. Early DVD releases often treated bonus material as an afterthought, and this disc is a prime example.

Still, if you're in the mood for large guns, larger explosions and a federal agent who refuses to stay erased, this remains a perfectly enjoyable action outing.

Special features

• Theatrical Trailer
• Biographies and Film Credits for Cast and Director