TV Review: ‘FUBAR’

Also starring Monica Barbaro, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Aparna Brielle and Gabriel Luna, this is an agreeable spy romp in the mold of ‘True Lies.’

Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner in 'Fubar.'

A core concept about a spy whose family is drawn into his work sounds a lot like James Cameron’s 1994 action-comedy thriller ‘True Lies’, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis.

And indeed, such a show exists –– it’s even called ‘True Lies’ and has the same plotline albeit with some tweaks –– but unfortunately that series, which had its first season on CBS, failed to ignite interest with audiences and has been cancelled.

Premiering its entire first season on Netflix, ‘FUBAR’ is an example of how to do that story with an even lighter touch and while it may not have the title, it does have a not-so-secret weapon: the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger to the blend of laughs and set-pieces that made ‘True Lies’ so entertaining.

Monica Barbaro as Emma Brunner, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner in 'Fubar.'

What happens in ‘FUBAR’?

The series follows Schwarzenegger’s Luke Brunner, a CIA operative with a knack for inventively taking down bad guys (essentially an Arnie character from his 1980s heyday) and a venerable reputation at the agency.

But Luke, long since realizing the toll his job and its need for total secrecy had on his family –– he’s been divorced from wife Tally (Fabiana Udenio) for nearly 20 years –– is ready to retire. He plans to win his wife back and properly reconnect with his grown children, especially Emma (Monica Barbaro).

Before he can really call it quits, though, he’s informed that Boro (Gabriel Luna), the son of a terrorist Luke dispatched years ago while working undercover, has resurfaced and is aiming to relaunch his father’s dangerous organization with even more vehemence. So, our hero must go back into the field… Whereupon he discovers that Emma is already there, and that she’s been a CIA operative herself for the last few years. The father-daughter bonding he’d hoped to achieve now takes on a much more elevated, more dangerous nature…

Created and run by Nick Santora (who previously worked on the likes of ‘Scorpion’ and ‘Reacher’), ‘FUBAR’ is a Skydance Television project.

Fortune Feimster as Roo Russell, Travis Van Winkle as Aldon Reece in 'Fubar.'

Who else appears in ‘FUBAR’?

This show also features Fortune Feimster, Barbara Eve Harris, Travis Van Winkle, Aparna Brielle, Jay Baruchel, Milan Carter and Scott Thompson.

Is ‘FUBAR’ worth your time?

If you’ve been missing the sort of action charisma that Schwarzenegger brings to screens, then this should help mitigate those withdrawal symptoms. The actor and former bodybuilder has had a rough go of it with recent cinematic choices (‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ seemingly putting the final nail in the coffin of his work with that franchise, and others including ‘Iron Mask’ and ‘Killing Gunther’ hardly burnishing his career or box office with glory).

With ‘FUBAR’, he’s on much more solid territory.

Schwarzenegger’s on good form as Luke, his usual bravado on display but balanced with a decent sprinkling of vulnerability. While this is a man who absolutely knows he’s one of the best in the business, he’s still prone to making mistakes when it comes to those he loves.

Fortune Feimster as Roo Russell, Milan Carter as Barry Putt, Aparna Brielle as Tina Mukerji, Travis Van Winkle as Aldon Reece, and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner in 'Fubar.'

(L to R) Fortune Feimster as Roo Russell, Milan Carter as Barry Putt, Aparna Brielle as Tina Mukerji, Travis Van Winkle as Aldon Reece, and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner in 'Fubar.' Photo: Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix © 2023.

Related Article: Arnold Schwarzenegger Talks Candidly About the Future of Movies Such as 'Triplets' and 'The Terminator' Franchise

Santora and his team has smartly built the ensemble around their leading man so as to take some of the comedy load off him. Milan Carter in particular is well developed as Barry, Luke’s CIA tech guy and “man in the chair” who also happens to be the only person who also knows his family (the two run a gym supply company as their cover story).

And it’s far from a two-man operation, Luke and Barry surrounded by a team that has both spy capabilities and winning comic personas –– Feimster and Van Winkle give good banter as Roo and Aldo, the duo’s usual backup in the field. As the story develops, all of the cast are given solid running jokes or moments to show what they can do, and the characters feel the benefit of the show’s running time to become more than just throwaway sidekicks.

Even smaller roles, such as Scott Thompson as the CIA psychiatrist hired to help Luke and Emma figure out their fractured relationship, work well, Thompson at one point breaking out puppets of the pair to aid their communication.

Barbaro, meanwhile, has to carry more of the dramatic weight and does so with skill and finesse. Though you might not quite always buy her as Arnie’s daughter, she’s more than up to the task of sparring with him and can also hold her own when it comes to the action sequences. At home, meanwhile, she has some funny interactions with her nervy boyfriend, played by Baruchel.

Monica Barbaro as Emma Brunner, and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner in 'Fubar.'

Arnie’s limits

We all know, of course, that Schwarzenegger, for all that he brings to screens, is not the world’s greatest actor. And ‘FUBAR’ certainly stretches that idea in places. He can deliver some of the comedy and a fair portion of the drama, but he’s still more comfortable when things are blowing up or he’s being imposing.

The show also takes a while to truly hit its stride –– though it kicks off with a fun action sequence, it doesn’t quite manage to hide the early exposition dump to introduce Luke’s situation and various family connections. And there are moments where you really feel like you’re watching a pilot episode for a show.

Plus, even with the sort of generous budget afforded by Netflix, the stunt sequences will never quite challenge the levels routinely on display in Schwarzenegger’s glory days. And one or two subplots, such as rival gym supply company owners complaining about Luke’s success when he rarely seems to be in the office have the whiff of something quickly whipped up to give Tally more to do when she starts working for him (still unaware of his double life).

Still, stick with it and the series soon finds the right blend of espionage set up and goofy comedy. It’s the most fun Arnie has had on screen in years and that proves to be infectious.

‘FUBAR’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.