Arnold Schwarzenegger

Just as beefy Arnold Schwarzenegger embarks on a tour of duty as governor of California, here's his slick and peppy Biography entry! And what a story: a nondescript but determined Austrian lad finds self-esteem through bodybuilding, wins the Mr. Universe competition in Europe, comes to America where he's smitten with the American ethos, marries into the Kennedy clan, and ultimately wins fame as a movie star, featured character in Doonesbury, and California governor! That's the A&E version anyway, except that the governor bit is too recent for inclusion. A typical fawning star biography with just enough unflattering tidbits to differentiate it from a studio promo, this profile features Hollywood middleweights discussing, for instance, Arnold's parenting skills (James Caan: “He's a good dad”), his personal magnetism (Jim Belushi: it's “thrilling to be around” Arnold), and notes that although Schwarzenegger was originally cast as the hero in The Terminator, something just “clicked,” and he “fell in love with” the Terminator itself, which he saw as his “franchise character, one he could play many times.” Production quality-wise, this is flawless, but subsequent Schwarzenegger bios--even the giddy ones--are sure to deal with the gubernatorial years, so unless one is in crying need of a non-critical movie-star-Arnold video, this is not a necessary purchase. Aud: P. (M. Tribby)