Netflix’s FUBAR, the first television series starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, explores the repercussions of prioritizing a profession over personal life. The show blends situational comedy and action-adventure elements to create a unique viewing experience.
The Plot
The plot follows the relationship between CIA operative Luke Brunner (Schwarzenegger) and his daughter Emma (Monica Barbaro). While the show contains some rote plot elements and lackluster action sequences, the familial drama remains relatable across the season’s eight episodes.
Strong Performances
Barbaro’s portrayal of Emma is a standout, showcasing the character’s passionate arguments against her father’s past dealings. Schwarzenegger performs well in the role of the oblivious father figure, always doting over his “perfect daughter”.
The entire cast does a good job of playing off of one another. Fortune Feimster and Travis Van Winkle entertain as CIA agents Roo and Aldon, respectively, while Milan Carter’s Berry, Luke’s handler and best friend, is charming as well. Gabriel Luna’s Boro is a decent villain, even if he isn’t the most memorable.
Repetitive Premise
Anything that can go wrong, does go wrong in spectacular fashion (hence the title), leading to predictable misshapes and repetitive conversations between Luke and Emma. Unfortunately, the repetitive and chaotic nature of FUBAR’s premise can sometimes undermine the cast’s performances. However, this wouldn’t be as much of an issue if the action scenes were better.
Mediocre Action Scenes
Outside of a few cool moments, most of the action scenes are generic. The weak choreography, middling shootouts, and uneven special effects leave a lot to be desired, considering that FUBAR was developed by Nick Santora, who previously created Amazon’s hit show Reacher, which is packed with great fights and stunts.
Final Thoughts
To be fair, FUBAR isn’t meant to be a series composed entirely of action. The show’s emphasis is placed on the interpersonal drama amid the wackiest of events, and it mostly works. While the action scenes may falter, Luke and co.’s creative problem-solving through each calamity is still enjoyable. FUBAR is an entertaining and engaging show that balances humor, drama, and action, making it worth a watch.