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Nuclear theft, a smirking supervillain, and a train sequence that refuses to quit—our rewatch of John Woo’s Broken Arrow is a love letter to the wildest corners of ’90s action. We kick off Todd’s birthday stream with a question we can’t stop asking: why do some “bad” movies age into perfect Friday-night fun? From the opening boxing match that telegraphs John Travolta’s heel turn to the copper mine countdown and that infamous dummy shot, we break down what’s silly, what’s sharp, and what still absolutely rocks.
We talk craft first—Woo’s kinetic framing, musical stings that brand the villain, and the set-piece logic that prioritizes momentum over realism. Travolta’s Deakins is a performance to savor: cigarette choreo, off-kilter affectations, and one-liners delivered like souvenirs. Christian Slater’s Riley Hale adds human scale—witty, bruised, and just competent enough to keep the chase honest. We dig into how Graham Yost (Speed) trades tight architecture for sprawling fun, why the $20 running gag works as a narrative thread, and how the movie sneaks in actual smart bits—like using an EMP to flip a helicopter from hunter to wreckage.
Along the way, we spotlight Samantha Mathis’s Ranger Terry, Delroy Lindo’s steady presence, and the movie’s unapologetic ’90s DNA: practical explosions, miniature mayhem, and VHS-ready quips. Yes, the physics are friendly, the Pentagon is plot-convenient, and helicopters can’t aim—but the joy is real. And that train finale? Still a banger. We finish with what we’re watching now (Marvel Zombies and Chad Powers) and tease next week’s spooky-season pick: Freddy vs. Jason.
If you’re nostalgic for maximalist action or just crave a good-bad gem that plays great with friends, queue this one up, then hit play on our breakdown. Subscribe, share with a fellow Woo fan, and drop your favorite Travolta line in the comments. Ain’t it cool?

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