By Meg Moore The Gamecock
They remain among the most famous lines in movie history.
"I'll be back."
At some point, many of us have assumed a pseudo-Austrian accent and uttered those words, predictably accompanying them with "Hasta la vista, baby" or "I'm gonna pump you up." To the starry-eyed child, those phrases have long epitomized the Hollywood action hero, capturing his larger-than-life, never-say-die attitude.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the silver screen's favorite Central European import, established himself as an icon in the movie "Terminator," blowing away the box office competition with the successful trilogy. The name Schwarzenegger does not exactly roll easily off the tongue, but almost every American kid grows up knowing how to pronounce it. And they all recognize his face, whether on the movie screen, in advertisements or, most recently, as one of the 135 certified candidates running for governor in the California recall election.
The former Mr. Universe may never be able to evade the shadow of his Terminator persona, but he has certainly capitalized on it. His star power helped him to win - and arguably secure - his victory in the California gubernatorial race. Ousting Gov. Gray Davis from office has propelled him to an even more prominent pop-culture status. Last week, the cable channel A&E announced it will be producing a movie about Schwarzenegger, and, more impressively, the country of Georgia officially renamed a mountain after the governor-elect.
Although his professional history has given him no formal training in the workings of government, Ahh-nold's involvement in the zany world of show business has indeed equipped him for his new leadership role. On the surface, the life of a Hollywood action star seems far removed from that of the average law-school-trained politician. But all of those explosions and near-death experiences in the pursuit of justice can be better preparation than the casual moviegoer might expect. Not only did he earn a bachelor's degree in business and economics, but Schwarzenegger's cinematic background, from "The Terminator" to "Kindergarten Cop," has effectively outfitted him to do battle with the ills of society.
"Conan the Barbarian" (1982): The action-filled epic turned Schwarzenegger into a star and schooled him in the ways of avenging injustice. On-screen, he sought out his parents' murderers; in California, he has been asked to even the score - and statistics - concerning the state's budget.
"The Terminator" (1984): Establishing the actor as an iconic action hero, the famed film showed Schwarzenegger to be a man who means business. His cyborg sense of unrelenting resolve allowed him to save humanity in the theaters - such determination will serve him well in the equally daunting task of finding low-cost housing for California's underprivileged.
"Predator" (1987): The 1987 thriller pitted Schwarzenegger against murderous alien invaders in South America. His "predatory" skills will likely also prove valuable in the quest to root out illegal aliens.
"Total Recall" (1990): In this case the title says it all - the California governor's race was the second successful recall in history. Coincidence? Perhaps not - the 1990 film proved eerily prophetic in summing up Schwarzenegger's recent win. The action takes place amid a technologically advanced world in which Schwarzenegger, according to an Amazon.com review, "manipulates his manipulators." Hmm. The scenario seems strikingly similar to Arnold's win in the Silicon Valley state, where he triumphed over all of those scheming politicians.
"Kindergarten Cop" (1990): During his campaign, Schwarzenegger said: "You all know that I am very passionate about children's issues ... I've been involved in education and after-school programs for 10 years." His role in the comedy bridges his buff-action-star background with that professed interest in child welfare.
"True Lies" (1994): As Jamie Lee Curtis discovers in this James Cameron film, Schwarzenegger's appearance can be deceiving. In "True Lies," the main character has fooled his wife (Curtis) into thinking he's been a salesman for 15 years, when he actually works as an intelligence agent. In the real world - obviously taking cues from the movie - the governor-elect had us all thinking that he was just another brawny action star until he brandished his political bent.
"Jingle All the Way" (1996): Arnold learned the importance of giving good gifts in this Christmas film, a tactic that could win him increased support during the holiday season. He now knows that when it comes to finding that perfect present for one's child - or constituents - one can stop at nothing. He will need such determination to turn California's deficit around.
"Eraser" (1996): Not only did he get to protect the lovely Vanessa Williams, but Schwarzenegger received some valuable law-enforcement training as an "eraser" for the Witness Protection Program. His in-the-line-of-fire job credentials will look almost as good as military service on his resume if he runs for president.
"Collateral Damage" (2002): In an age when terrorism has become a major social concern, Arnold's vigor for tracking down murderous bombers in the film shows his commitment to current issues. California will have a governor who not only abhors terrorists but is willing to track them down in their secret overseas compounds.
"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" (2003): The Terminator knows how to preemptively start a campaign. Before voters even knew he might run for governor, Schwarzenegger was busy getting his name back in the newspapers - even if it was accompanied by less-than-stellar movie reviews. Schwarzenegger has lived up to his promise that he would "be back" - both on-screen and in the public eye.
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