Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Brutal
- propulsive
- heightened
- tense
- action movie night
- 1990s nostalgia
What critics said
Critics found John Woo's action craftsmanship and pyrotechnic spectacle entertaining but undermined by a talky, disposable story and an over-the-top John Travolta performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The two stolen nuclear missiles are the central object sought by Hale, Terry, and military authorities throughout the chase.
John Woo's direction emphasizes signature gunplay, elaborate shootouts, and heightened physical action.
The central cat-and-mouse chase moves through Utah's canyon country, including rivers, underground spaces, and helicopter-accessible terrain.
The antagonist is a rogue United States pilot who steals nuclear missiles, making institutional betrayal the source of the crisis.
Films like Broken Arrow, and why
The Rock
high-concept nuclear-terrorism thriller with military betrayal, escalating pursuit, and large-scale action spectacle
Executive Decision
1990s aviation-centered action thriller built around rogue military actors, national security stakes, and kinetic set pieces
Face/Off
stylized John Woo action thriller featuring betrayal, heroic pursuit, gunplay, and heightened blockbuster spectacle
Die Hard with a Vengeance
cat-and-mouse action thriller involving terrorism, ticking-clock stakes, and a charismatic antagonist
Movie Details
- Director
- John Woo
- Release Date
- 1996-02-09
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (1750)
Cast
- John Travolta
- Christian Slater
- Samantha Mathis
- Delroy Lindo
- Frank Whaley
- Bob Gunton
- Howie Long
- Jack Thompson
- Kurtwood Smith
- Vondie Curtis-Hall
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Broken Arrow about?
- A rogue pilot steals two nuclear missiles, forcing his former co-pilot and a determined park ranger into a spectacular Utah pursuit.
- What is Broken Arrow like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Broken Arrow as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Broken Arrow violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Broken Arrow as brutal.
- What did critics think of Broken Arrow?
- Critics found John Woo's action craftsmanship and pyrotechnic spectacle entertaining but undermined by a talky, disposable story and an over-the-top John Travolta performance.
- Which films are like Broken Arrow?
- Films with a similar feel include The Rock, Executive Decision, Face/Off, and Die Hard with a Vengeance.
- How long is Broken Arrow?
- Broken Arrow runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch Broken Arrow?
- In United States, Broken Arrow is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
