An appreciation of the rippled muscles of Arnold Schwarzenegger, from his Hercules days through to Predator…
This article originally appeared onDen of Geek UK.
Did you know Donald Trumps successor onThe Celebrity Apprenticewas once one of the biggest box-office draws in the world?
The man was a titan, casting a shadow as wide as it was high.
In Schwarzeneggers first real acting role, his unease is palpable.
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Schwarzenegger is Hercules, a demi-god sent to Earth.
We are treated to Arnolds first show of size when his date shows him a poster for an upcomingHerculespicture.
Our travelling deity is offended, claiming the actor looks nothing like him.
Doing what any rational demigod would do, he strips off his cream turtleneck, revealing his chiselled torso.
Its only the hindsight novelty factor that keepsHercules In New Yorkrelevant.
Pumping Iron (1977)
Arnold was a star long beforePumping Iron.
He was at the peak of his craft.
At 28 years old, he stood at 62, weighed 240lbs and was a six-time Mr Olympia winner.
He retired on top.
The most alpha of males, Arnold sashays through the documentary.
Even starring alongside a real-life superhero, the Incredible Hulk Lou Ferrigno, he looks ginormous.
The moment in which Schwarzenegger pops the loudest is in a moment of silence.
As the documentary takes focus on the reigning champion, we are given a look behind the camera.
A photo-shoot sets Arnold alight, as he poses and flexes in complete tranquillity.
Conan The Barbarian (1982)
Refreshing pauses were seldom offered to us in the following years.
Schwarzeneggers seductive ex-slave possesses superior sword skills, spinning, slashing, and slaying a plethora of barbaric nasties.
At the films most glorious, Conan and his collaborator take a stand against the villainous cavalry.
With axe in hand and horns on head, Conan cleaves and slices.
Whats more, we are given one of Arnolds earliest one-liners.
Its much better heard than read.
This classic scene contained all the components that made his next breakout, muscle-bound feature such an enduring success.
The Terminator (1984)
It only took until 2029 for Arnold to hit the big time.
The opening moments in the present day focus on a trash collector.
Electric bolts awaken the workman from his boredom-induced coma, fizzing and zapping around him.
They rally to a crescendo of light, producing a figure curled up in a foetal position.
This figure is the T-800, a stark-naked Arnold; we see his arse before his face.
He rises like the phoenix, striding into the light without a flicker of disorientation or embarrassment.
The T-800 swats one lackie away, before his jacked right arm lifts another overhead.
This loiterer comes down without his heart, Camerons camera hovering on Arnolds deep red, clutching hand.
As John Martix, Schwarzenegger is a family man and a killing machine.
Matrix had left his commando days behind, now taking care of his daughter, living a reclusive existence.
Arnold saunters toward the camera, carrying a huge tree on his shoulder like its a weeks laundry.
Schwarzenegger doesnt finish there.
A guys got to keep that fire burning.
Even before Schwarzenegger stepped foot in the jungle, he met a fellow goliath.
Dutch gasps with childlike glee, before grounding his joy with the deprecating: You son of a bitch.
The camera shifts focus from their gleaming smirks to the strained embrace.
Five seconds turns to ten the tension grows thick as Arnold toys with his rival.
This contest lasts a full twenty seconds twenty long, facial-hair-inducing seconds.
We may never recover from a scene that powerful.
The film soon hurtles into contact with the titular chameleon with barely chance to catch its breath.
This laser-toting, extra-terrestrial assassin is Arnolds ultimate nemesis, even down to the maniacal cackle.
But, not even a foe this deadly could create a scene with the power of that handshake.
This theme would follow our Austrian actor.
His greatest muscle-bound moments would come early, as an introduction, setting the tone and character in motion.
Arnold would come to blossom in attracting a younger market, mixing action roles inTerminator2andTotal RecallwithKindergarten CopandJunior.
He became his own character, a phenomenon for a reason beyond his look.
He became the epitome of the American Dream, persevering and succeeding more than anyone thought he could.
The ex-army tank driver would go on to ask inJunior,Does my body disgust you?
and later become the Governor of California.
Weve had some shallow fun, picking through Arnolds early years for his most outrageous muscle flexes.
But its worth remembering that Schwarzeneggers story is one of success through a lot of hard work and perseverence.
Im just going toleave this herein case you feel motivated; I know I do…
