FUBAR: Arnold’s Back in Action… and We Missed Him!
By John Kirk
Rating: A-
I remember Alyssa Milano talking about how Arnold Schwarzenegger was like a dad to her when they were on the set of Commando. It’s common lore how smart, protective, and caring he was and how he helped her with her algebra homework. This was back in 1985 and she was what… 13?
The fact that this memory endures both print and the internet makes for such a powerful testament to Schwarzenegger’s skill in portraying father-figures. In that regard, he has a lot of experiential success. That’s the heart of the action and the humour in the Netflix series FUBAR and there’s nothing wrong with playing to your strengths.
The story: intent on retirement, CIA operative Luke Brenner (Schwarzenegger) is ready to finish his last mission overseas and return to his fake fitness equipment cover job and his family who he has abandoned. His plans? Buy a boat and recapture that lost time with his wife (Fabiana Udenio) and children, particularly his doting daughter, Emma (Monica Barbaro).
Emma is the perfect kid. She was first violin at school, a straight-A student and loved spending time with her dad when he was able to see her. Now, engaged to kindergarten teacher, she spends her time travelling to developing nations, bringing them fresh water. In her father’s eyes, she can do no wrong. Until Luke must delay his retirement to rescue an embedded CIA officer, who he discovers is Emma.
Therein lies the thrust of the show: an eight-episode steady conflict between a father and husband trying to correct the mistakes he made, while steering a resentful daughter from making the same ones.
With Luke, Schwarzenegger delivers an amalgam of characters we recognize from all his works. But what he does differently is to import the seriousness of being a parent into this unique angle of a story that’s not only believable but welcomed. It’s a different pace for Schwarzenegger that adds a unique note.
Barbaro does an excellent job of matching Emma to her on-screen dad, stunt for stunt, witticism for witticism and lie for lie. However, when it comes to the mandated and hilarious therapy scene with Dr. Pfeffer (Scott Thomson), it’s pure gold.
Luke’s team, consisting of wise-cracking Roo (Fortune Feimster), suave and abs-resplendent Aldon (Travis Van Winkle) and his handler and logistics man, Barry (Milan Carter) — who also happens to be his best friend — are also a source of never-ending comedy. Barry’s devotion to his love of geek culture definitely wins votes from me. It’s like you can’t have a show without a nerd throwing in pop culture references.
But all of them are competent operatives who maintain a dedicated sense of professionalism and bring something unique to the table about their work that contributes to the drama. They’re authentic characters. Well, authentic enough.
The fast-paced mix of comedy and action in FUBAR derives its authenticity from the close relationships amongst all the characters. Though Emma and Luke were both unaware of each other’s covert activities, it’s funny how they have to lie, and be lied to, by the people they love. Holes in the story? Oh yeah, but the fun of the show taps into what’s a hallmark of Schwarzenegger’s best work in his films: it’s fun and it’s good to see he hasn’t lost his touch. The action is well-choreographed and the relentless hunt for the terrorist Boro (Gabriel Luna) is a believable and acceptable one.
The endearing appeal of all the characters is what makes you buy into the story. You can’t help but feel for them all and root for them. We even root for wimpy kindergarten teacher, Emma’s fiancée, Carter (Jay Baruchel) and though Baruchel’s comedy is toned down in this series, he’s still a character who we all want to succeed.
The interplay between Schwarzenegger and Baruchel is something that could have been played up a bit more in my opinion, but I’m satisfied with watching Schwarzenegger try to teach the lithe and wan Baruchel how to box.
With sequences filmed in Toronto, locals can play at recognizing the locations, from the Exhibition Grounds to the Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club.
Is it art? No, but given Schwarzenegger’s track record of delivering what audiences enjoy watching, it’s a series that won’t disappoint audiences. Also, Netflix seems to think so too, as his appointment as their new Chief Action Officer was recently announced. Driving up to their HQ in a tank with the quote “nobody knows action like I do” is nothing less than what his fans would expect.
Seeing Schwarzenegger in a family way brings back memories of Commando and reminds us of why his fans love him. Maybe we’ll see a cameo of Alyssa Milano in Season Two?
FUBAR. Directed by Nick Santora. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Monica Barbaro, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Fabiana Udenio, Milan Carter, Gabriel Luna, Scott Thompson, and Jay Baruchel. Streams on Netflix, May 25.