Judgment Day hit California Tuesday and, in the end, Arnold
Schwarzenegger stood triumphant, after voters approved a total
recall of Governor Gray Davis. As he sheds the muscle-bound
cinematic persona to flex his political clout, The University News
offers a brief retrospective of his legendary film career.

Conan the Barbarian

Two years before The Terminator immortalized him in pop
culture, Conan established Schwarzenegger as a major
cinematic presence in Hollywood. Playing the strong, silent type to
perfection, Arnold’s role as the hard-drinking, womanizing title
character is a hallmark in the pantheon of manly movies.
Incredibly, the film still captivates viewers 20 years after its
release, due to an excellent script that emphasizes Arnold’s
imposing screen presence instead of his suspect speaking
abilities.

Classic line: "[The goal of war is] to crush your enemies,
see them driven before you and to hear the lamentations of the
women."

Predator

Alongside former Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura,
Predator’s cast list reads as a who’s-who of controversial
state elections. Unlike Terminator, which paired the massive
leading man against a pipsqueak protagonist, Predator features
Arnold and a team of steroid-enhanced commandos against an alien
warrior with a penchant for collecting human skulls as
trophies.

Arnie gets his share of one-liners, but the epic showdown
between the hopelessly overpowered Schwarzenegger and the Predator
is a textbook case in how to end an action movie.

Classic Line: Ventura "I ain’t got time to bleed!"

Kindergarten Cop

Much like Sears-Roebuck, Arnold invited filmgoers to see his
softer side in this family-friendly film about an undercover cop
forced to become a kindergarten teacher to catch his mark. Arnold’s
interactions with the children are priceless, and it’s no wonder
that Kindergarten Cop is one of the films most popular with
the legions of Arnold imitators worldwide.

Classic Line: "It’s not a tumor!"

Terminator 3

In the likely event that Arnold won’t be back on silver screens,
Terminator 3 was perfect cinematic swan song to his fans.
Arnold underwent grueling training to prepare for his curtain call
as the Terminator, and his obligatory nude scene probably had
housewives nationwide enlisting their hubbies at the local gym.

Featuring revolutionary special effects and a solid support
cast, Terminator 3 made believers of fans who suspected rust
on the T-101’s metallic frame.

Classic Line: "Talk to the hand."

In his final film appearance before the election, an uncredited
Schwarzenegger exits a booming nightclub in The Rundown,
saying "Have fun," to The Rock. Action fans can only hope
that Arnold’s cinematic prot?g? will be as rock solid as his
predecessor.

Thanks for the memories Arnold–hasta la vista, baby.