LAST ACTION HERO (1993)
Tagline: This isn't the movies anymore.
(Action, Adventure, Comedy) [PG-13]
They're lining up to get here, and do you know why Jack? Should I tell you why? Hmm? Because here, in this world, the bad guys can win!
In this one a kid named Danny Madigan (played by Austin O’Brien most known for MY GIRL 2) is sinking some deep need into movies. They have essentially become his life to the point where he’s skipping school to go see them at an old run-down theater near his house. I mean, this theater is freakin beat, it’s probably not even open to anyone but Danny. Anyway, one night Danny is given a magic ticket by the curator of the theater Nick (played by Robert Prosky famous for GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH). That ticket thrusts Danny into the latest movie from his on screen hero Jack Slater (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger famous for TOTAL RECALL). Can Danny find his way back and what happens if his ticket back to the real world falls into the wrong hands?
First off, I am going to say the premise for this movie is freakin incredible and it probably at least partially inspired one of the better under the radar horror flicks out there THE FINAL GIRLS. Sadly when it comes to 90’s movies that got a rough ride from critics and failed horribly at the box office, LAST ACTION HERO is among those that didn’t deserve it. This freakin movie is largely a blast. I am going to have to agree with some that it does run a bit long for an action flick of this type, but the intentional bumbling of the parts that are in the movie and the slap stick over the top action sequences are just a complete blast. This movie is fourth wall satire to an extent but does possess a lot of serious elements.
Looking back, I think people either just failed to understand what this movie was doing or they just weren’t ready for a Schwarzenegger film like this. He plays a gritty action hero, but within this film we get layers of hilarity and one liners for days. I guess that was too much? They even threw in tons of stars, and even throw in some Bridgette Wilson (best known for BILLY MADISON) as Jack Slater’s x-wife kicking people’s teeth in. The script is super solid and the storyline has a bit of heart. Heck, it was even directed by the dude that did DIE HARD. What is wrong with people?
Anyway, for me this was an easy 5 out of 7. It’s a throwback with a nice mix of seriousness and humor. It also has all the elements I loved about 80’s over the top action flicks, only in the 90’s. There just isn’t much to complain about here. Even AC/DC cut the song “Big Gun” just for this freakin thing. Just the soundtrack alone is worth watching this movie.
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