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Amazon.co.uk Review
John McTiernan (The Hunt for Red October) imaginatively directs this action comedy, which is an interesting failure with some fascinating ironies that make it well worth seeing. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays both a character named Jack Slater--a fictional cop hero who exists only in the movies (ie, the movies seen by the characters in this movie) and the actor who plays Jack Slater in the real world (ie, in the movie we're actually watching). McTiernan's hall-of-mirrors effect is fun, though Last Action Hero never quite identifies itself as a pure action movie, science fiction, a kid's movie, or anything else. (The expensive film suffered at the box office as a result and was roundly criticised for this ambivalence.) What lingers in the memory, however, is Schwarzenegger, playing himself, being confronted by Slater for having created an alter ego for film in the first place. It's a provocative moment: how often have we seen a major star blatantly wrestle with his actor's legacy in this way? --Tom Keogh
Product Description
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean-Claude Van Damme, James Belushi, Leeza Gibbons, Tina TurnerDirector: John McTiernan
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is quiet an underrated movie, even amongst Arnie fans, and one which few people understand, or try to. Last Actio Hero is a spoof of action movies, primarily those starring Arnie and Stallone, ones which director McTiernen has made a living from: The films that have loose plots built around stunts, explosions, fights, and spectacular and over the top set pieces. That said, the action, stunts, and effects are good; the cast, especially Arnie, ham it up as much as possible, the cameo appearances are witty and accurate, and the plot is pretty clever.
Arnie plays Jack Slater, a ficticious cop/action hero who lives in movie land- a place where everything is super sized, and hyper real (a little punch in the gut of Hollywood). His daily routine, usually involving chasing bad guys, and wrecking huge portions of cities is disturbed- mid chase, by the mysterious appearance of a teenage boy called Danny. Danny is from the real world- our world, the world which gorges itself on the exploits of such larger than life characters as Jack Slater. Danny is just about Slater's biggest fan, and no-one could be happier than he to be meeting his hero for real. Slater, naturally is less than pleased. Danny explained how he was given a magical golden ticket which opens a gateway been the real world, and the movie world, and tries to convince Slater that his life is a movie. This leads to some inspired jokes about the film industry, and Arnie's own career- the 'I'll be back' scene and the scene where Danny tries to make Slater swear. Meanwhile, Big Bad (English) guy Benedict hears about the golden ticket, and sees the potential for chaos, and the psychotic Ripper plots more carnage against Slater.
Tons of in-jokes make this an entertaining film, and I'll admit that's all it is. But that's all it is trying to be. There is no need to criticize it for lacking artistic merit, character development, internal meditations on life etc. It's an action movie, where the bad guys are supposed to die, cars are meant to explode when scratched, the good guy is untouchable, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. The soundtrach, featuring AC DC adds to this thoroughly enjoyable throwback to 80's action classics.
Extras unfortunately are light- a trailer, a music video, and a short featurette. The nineties was a revisionist time for movies, and this film was one of the best examples of the movement- self referential, self mocking, while pushing the boundaries of what was expected from the genre. A documentary discussing this and the making of, or a commentary or interview with cast would have been great.
Arnie plays Jack Slater, a ficticious cop/action hero who lives in movie land- a place where everything is super sized, and hyper real (a little punch in the gut of Hollywood). His daily routine, usually involving chasing bad guys, and wrecking huge portions of cities is disturbed- mid chase, by the mysterious appearance of a teenage boy called Danny. Danny is from the real world- our world, the world which gorges itself on the exploits of such larger than life characters as Jack Slater. Danny is just about Slater's biggest fan, and no-one could be happier than he to be meeting his hero for real. Slater, naturally is less than pleased. Danny explained how he was given a magical golden ticket which opens a gateway been the real world, and the movie world, and tries to convince Slater that his life is a movie. This leads to some inspired jokes about the film industry, and Arnie's own career- the 'I'll be back' scene and the scene where Danny tries to make Slater swear. Meanwhile, Big Bad (English) guy Benedict hears about the golden ticket, and sees the potential for chaos, and the psychotic Ripper plots more carnage against Slater.
Tons of in-jokes make this an entertaining film, and I'll admit that's all it is. But that's all it is trying to be. There is no need to criticize it for lacking artistic merit, character development, internal meditations on life etc. It's an action movie, where the bad guys are supposed to die, cars are meant to explode when scratched, the good guy is untouchable, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. The soundtrach, featuring AC DC adds to this thoroughly enjoyable throwback to 80's action classics.
Extras unfortunately are light- a trailer, a music video, and a short featurette. The nineties was a revisionist time for movies, and this film was one of the best examples of the movement- self referential, self mocking, while pushing the boundaries of what was expected from the genre. A documentary discussing this and the making of, or a commentary or interview with cast would have been great.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Last Action Hero was Sony's big 1993 summer movie and up against Universal's Jurassic Park - and we know how that fight turned out.
Okay, so this film took a real beating in critical terms, but I still really enjoyed it and it's a great piece of entertainment, but due to the occasional violence in it, it ended up getting a 15-certificate which stopped it from appealing to the kind of 10-year-old kids we see in Danny (Austin O'Brien). As such, while it's great that it doesn't compromise, this means it also falls between two stools as a lot of adults will see a whiny kid and avoid it, while a lot of kids will want to watch a film where someone of their age becomes part of a blockbuster movie, but won't be allowed because of the age rating.
Still, about the film itself, young Danny Madigan is a massive fan of action hero Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger playing a rather neat parody of his then-massively popular screen roles). He knows projectionist Nick (Robert Prosky) like a best mate and gets the chance to see the character's fourth outing before the general public do - and who wouldn't want to do that? Better still, Nick's a bit... well... odd isn't a kind word, but for some reason he has a magic ticket which Danny soon finds transports himself into the film itself, where Jack is doing battle against baddie Benedict (Charles Dance) and the heroine of the hour is Meredith (Bridgette Wilson). However, things change when the action ends up in the real world and consequences are soon felt, which provides an interesting twist to proceedings as well as comic effect, such as when Jack 'opens' a car by punching through the window and is surprised how much it hurts.
The film is presented in its original 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen ratio and looks well-detailed, but it's also a bit gritty against certain backgrounds and it seems a bit random in how it turns out. Still, it's certainly an improvement on a DVD and doesn't impact on the film too much, but it certainly could've been avoided. For the record, I'm watching on a Panasonic 37" Plasma screen via a Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-ray player.
The sound is in DTS-HD MA 5.1, although I only had access to it in DTS 5.1, and as you'd expect there's gunfire and explosions and it does a stirling job when these scenes occur. There's certainly no complaint there.
However, when it comes to the extras, there is one big complaint - there are none. Why not? Another complaint goes to the cover. The original movie poster, which also featured on the video and DVD, shows a muscly Arnie swinging out of a movie screen with Danny under his arm. This one? Erm... well, look and see. It's rubbish. What on earth were Sony thinking?
The menu mixes in a piece of music from the film with clips of the film. There are English subtitles plus 10 other languages, but the chaptering is ridiculous with only 16 throughout the 131-minute film.
Film: 4/5
Picture: 4/5
Sound: 5/5
Extras: 0/5
Okay, so this film took a real beating in critical terms, but I still really enjoyed it and it's a great piece of entertainment, but due to the occasional violence in it, it ended up getting a 15-certificate which stopped it from appealing to the kind of 10-year-old kids we see in Danny (Austin O'Brien). As such, while it's great that it doesn't compromise, this means it also falls between two stools as a lot of adults will see a whiny kid and avoid it, while a lot of kids will want to watch a film where someone of their age becomes part of a blockbuster movie, but won't be allowed because of the age rating.
Still, about the film itself, young Danny Madigan is a massive fan of action hero Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger playing a rather neat parody of his then-massively popular screen roles). He knows projectionist Nick (Robert Prosky) like a best mate and gets the chance to see the character's fourth outing before the general public do - and who wouldn't want to do that? Better still, Nick's a bit... well... odd isn't a kind word, but for some reason he has a magic ticket which Danny soon finds transports himself into the film itself, where Jack is doing battle against baddie Benedict (Charles Dance) and the heroine of the hour is Meredith (Bridgette Wilson). However, things change when the action ends up in the real world and consequences are soon felt, which provides an interesting twist to proceedings as well as comic effect, such as when Jack 'opens' a car by punching through the window and is surprised how much it hurts.
The film is presented in its original 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen ratio and looks well-detailed, but it's also a bit gritty against certain backgrounds and it seems a bit random in how it turns out. Still, it's certainly an improvement on a DVD and doesn't impact on the film too much, but it certainly could've been avoided. For the record, I'm watching on a Panasonic 37" Plasma screen via a Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-ray player.
The sound is in DTS-HD MA 5.1, although I only had access to it in DTS 5.1, and as you'd expect there's gunfire and explosions and it does a stirling job when these scenes occur. There's certainly no complaint there.
However, when it comes to the extras, there is one big complaint - there are none. Why not? Another complaint goes to the cover. The original movie poster, which also featured on the video and DVD, shows a muscly Arnie swinging out of a movie screen with Danny under his arm. This one? Erm... well, look and see. It's rubbish. What on earth were Sony thinking?
The menu mixes in a piece of music from the film with clips of the film. There are English subtitles plus 10 other languages, but the chaptering is ridiculous with only 16 throughout the 131-minute film.
Film: 4/5
Picture: 4/5
Sound: 5/5
Extras: 0/5
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
To sum up this film in one sentence I would say that it has an original and creative plotline, impressive action scenes and special effects, top quality acting and cameo appearances and a lot of witty humour. I loved this film as a kid, and even as I watch it now I still thoroughly enjoy it and understand a lot of more of the mature humour and in-jokes. I don't know why critics hate this film so much. The film is basically a comedy adventure that isn't taking itself too seriously and niether should its audience. There are a few moments of profound principlism and emotive plotlines, but generally, this film is a laugh. Arnie's acting is top notch and plays a character you generally start to really like, as well as the kid who doesn't overdo it too much on the potentially annoying kid role. The redeeming aspect of his role is the comedy relationship between him and Jack Slater with some classic banter as Jack perpetually gets annoyed with the boy.
I guess the one thing that lets this film down is its age certificate. The storyline is great if you have an open mind and don't mind a lot of over-the-topness, or if you're young. But its missing a bit part of its target audience by making it a 15 when there's only 2 swear words and a tiny bit of blood in the whole film. I've seen PG's worse than this.
I think its such a shame that a film this well made could be so rejected by people just because its a bit far fetched. Obviously a storyline where a magic movie ticket that enables you to go into a movie doesn't exactly compare to anything vaguely real. But then neither does star wars or lord of the rings. Its just a very creative and original story that can capture your imagination if you let it. Ultimately, a great film thats great fun.
I guess the one thing that lets this film down is its age certificate. The storyline is great if you have an open mind and don't mind a lot of over-the-topness, or if you're young. But its missing a bit part of its target audience by making it a 15 when there's only 2 swear words and a tiny bit of blood in the whole film. I've seen PG's worse than this.
I think its such a shame that a film this well made could be so rejected by people just because its a bit far fetched. Obviously a storyline where a magic movie ticket that enables you to go into a movie doesn't exactly compare to anything vaguely real. But then neither does star wars or lord of the rings. Its just a very creative and original story that can capture your imagination if you let it. Ultimately, a great film thats great fun.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Last but not least
Derided on release, slated by the movie press and critics for years, and allegedly responsible for the subsequent slide of Arnie's film career, this is actually great fun. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Scaroth, Last of the Jagaroth
My Favourite Arnold Schwarzenegger Movie
Last Action Hero is my top favourite Arnold Schwarzenegger film because of all the action and excitement that this film delivers. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. Alan M. Foster
An intelligent, under-rated and over-looked satire
It's sad to think that 18 years after its release Last Action Hero is still trying to find its target audience. Audiences don't like smart movies. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Inspector Gadget
The best ever Arnie film !
This is a media studies course in one DVD. It not only breaches the fourth wall but the fifth and sixth as well ! Read more
Published 16 months ago by fivestarfrankie
requires a different perspective
I found it as a fun film when you see that this is a film where arnie basically spoofs himself and shouldn't be taken too seriously, but the villain (played by Charles Dance) is... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mr. A. Marczylo
Last Action Hero [vhs]
The product that arrived was in Dutch, this was not mentioned anywhere on the listing.
Published on 24 May 2010 by K. Varga
Just too fun to be true...
I love it when Schwartzie makes fun of himself. And this movie is tops. BD quality is there as a perfect means of expressing the fun movie. Now I want True Lies. :)
Published on 1 Mar 2010 by Gilles Gravier
Product details
Audio:
DTS-HD MA 5.1 English, French, German.
Subs:
English, English SDH, Arabic, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Spanish, German, Hindi, Norwegian, Swedish,... Read more
DTS-HD MA 5.1 English, French, German.
Subs:
English, English SDH, Arabic, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Spanish, German, Hindi, Norwegian, Swedish,... Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2010 by AYC
Good idea... not sure that it works.
The idea of Schwarzenegger playing a parody of himself was interesting, and there where some amusing scences, but ultimately it wasn't all perhaps it could have been.
Published on 13 Oct 2009 by A. Bellerby
Don't expect 'Dishum Dishum' in this Arnie flick.
As a satirical spoof, this film is above average. As an Arnie film, it's much below expectations. A massive flop on its release; even the trailer was unappealing. Read more
Published on 28 May 2007 by Jay
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