Following last month's series, Furbar Hollywood legend Arnold Schwarzenegger reunites with Netflix for another project in Arnold from director Lesley Chilcott.
A three-part documentary series chronicles Arnold Schwarzenegger's journey from the countryside of Austria to the highest echelons of the American dream. In a series of candid interviews, Schwarzenegger, his friends, foes, co-stars, and observers cover everything from his days pumping iron to his triumphs in Hollywood, his time governing the state of California, and both the joys and turbulence of his family lived in a tale that matches his larger-than-life persona.
Part 1 carries the title "Athlete," and we learn that Arnold Schwarzenegger had the ambition to depart his country of Austria and a disjointed family life. Observing Reg Park playing Hercules in the cinema, he decided that bodybuilding would provide his way out. Subsequently, he put himself through rigorous workouts and started participating in global contests, which led to 13 championship wins, ultimately assisting him with migrating to America.
Part 2 has the moniker "Actor." With his world of competitive bodybuilding conquered Arnold Schwarzenegger set his sights on Hollywood. Jamie Lee Curtis and Linda Hamilton joined him for James Cameron movies that charted Schwarzenegger's unlikely but remarkably successful rise from strongman to an action hero and global celebrity.
The decade-long run of box office success included action films such as Predator and the blockbuster Terminator franchise and beloved comedies like Twins and Kindergarten Cop. After confronting a health scare head-on in true Schwarzenegger fashion, he soon began to search for something new to conquer.
Finally, Part 3, called "AMERICAN, " finds Schwarzenegger taking on the incredible challenge of entering politics. While it was taxing on his family life, and not everyone agreed with his decision, some widely praised Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his accomplishments. After his stunning successes in the governor's election and recall vote Schwarzenegger governed one of the largest economies in the world for seven years. He brings about significant change through philanthropic ventures and awareness-raising endeavors, from anti-Semitism to climate change. Through triumphs, struggles, and an incredible journey, Arnold Schwarzenegger reflects deeply on this fascinating account of his life.
Leslie Chilcott directs Arnold as a three-part documentary series that tries to give viewers an honest look at the life of an American icon. We can explore how Arnold crafted his narrative through interviews with his family and friends, archival footage, and images from his life. As a viewer, though, it's essential to be wary of what this documentary does – after all, the director stands to gain from how Arnold's portrayal.
Please remember that this documentary offers a lighthearted perspective on Arnold's life and does not represent who he truly is. Additionally, it's important to note that documentaries are typically edited versions of an individual's story and may only sometimes present the whole truth.
Ultimately Arnold gets to choose which parts he wants us to hear or see, ensuring that the story we get fits with the narrative he wants to tell. Something unexpected was seeing him talk about infidelity in some depth; however, I still found myself wishing he had focused on some of the projects he did or did not take part in more thoroughly.
Final Grade: B
Arnold is available to stream on Netflix on June 7th, 2023