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Directed by: John McTiernan Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austin O'Brien, Charles Dance Action movies inhabit an entirely different universe of logic where lone alcholic renegade cops triumph over armies of henchmen, bullets ping harmlessly off iron railings, and all vehicles explode instantly on contact. Last Action Hero (1993) knows and accepts that universe and comes out as a decent parody and homage to the cliches and conventions of action movies. Arnold Schwarzenegger is perfectly cast as Jack Slater, the loose canon renegade movie cop now in his fourth sequel. Schwarzenegger's movies are always goofy enough to be just shy of some sort of farce, so he knows exactly what is expected of him. In concept, Last Action Hero sounds like a fantastic movie for action movie fans by delivering the stunts and violence while winking at the audience. However, the presence of Austin O'Brien as a kid obsessed with action movies who gets sucked into the movie world via a magical ticket from Houdini nearly destroys the movie. The little kid functions as the jackass in the audience who keeps pointing out the obvious cliches the movie is trying to parody. It's as if the writers felt action audiences would be inable to pick up on such subtle jokes as a police chief so angry at Arnold that steam actually comes out of his ears, so they needed to have a little kid point out that police chiefs are often angry in action movies. The little kid also bogs down the movie with his real life problems as a latchkey kid searching for a father figure. Not to say Last Action Hero is a total train wreck. Stylistically, the action scenes within "Jack Slater IV" are almost convincing enough to be a real action movie. There are also some flashes of brilliance, such as the hilarious trailer for "Arnold Schwarzenegger is Hamlet." However, the final act of the movie, taking place in the "real world" is nearly unwatchable. Overall, Last Action Hero is a fantastic concept that was not all that well done. The movie would have been much better if they cut out the kid and just released "Jack Slater IV" as a free-standing movie. RATING: 3 PROS: Wonderful concept, the Hamlet scene, passably entertaining CONS: Annoying little kid ruins the movie, third act is dreadful ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107362/
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May 8, 2004 23:11
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| # ? Apr 19, 2024 22:16 |
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This movie is alright, except for one outstanding problem. The main character, was horribly played by introducing actor Austin O'Brian. Never before have I seen a movie that's quality had been reduced so much by the failure of one single actor. At no point in this movie did I actually believe in the character- due to the shortcomings of O'Brian. I may be wrong, but I don't think he has been in any other movie since Last Action Hero. It isn't hard to see why. 2.
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May 9, 2004 04:54
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Arnold rules in this movie because he gets to make fun of himself so much.
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May 9, 2004 05:33
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quote:dojokm came out of the closet to say: I agree. In addition, this movie should not be taken seriously at all. Its a spoof of his own movies. The kid doesnt ruin the movie.
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May 9, 2004 06:17
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This film is a guilty pleasure for me. It has a handful of moments of actually intelligent humor, but for the most part relies on weird gags and celebrity cameos. I can't really defend it, but something about the whole thing never fails to amuse me. I also enjoy the ending - which features Ian "Gandalf" McKellen as Death. 4.5 - which, admittedly, is largely due to my personal bias.
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May 9, 2004 06:39
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I remember thinking this movie was awesome when I first saw it. I remember thinking it was awesome the second time I saw it. I still think it's awesome. It's a parody of action films and Arnold parodies himself. Pretty loving great idea and played out well. 4/5
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May 9, 2004 06:41
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Don't know why this movie gets poo poo on so much. It's a pretty hilarious film from start to finish with not to mention some pretty nifty action sequences (and by action sequences I mean poo poo exploding). Just be warned though, I'm one of those weird people who find Arnold Swartzenegger absolutely charming. 4/5 also: there are a shitload of spoilers in that review. I don't know if this forum cares though so.. whatever.
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May 9, 2004 11:47
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4.5, cause i love when people make fun of themselves. when he pulled out the mp5 (dont shoot me if its not, i havent seen it in forever) in the hamlet trailer i nearly died laughing. it puts every cliche in an action movie all in one package, and then slams wit with a large wooden mallet, fantastic entertainment.
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May 10, 2004 02:36
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Cheesy as hell, lame main plot, action scenes look like every 80s movie you ever saw. The plot advancement scenes are mostly dull and only serve to transition in between jokes. BUT it just about works. The dialog, the little 'movie-land tricks' (like when Arnold climbs out of the tar pits covered in black, then towels off for five seconds and is perfectly fresh and clean) and the wacky cameos all work for me. I think it's hilarious, and at $6-10 on dvd you can't go wrong. 4/5 (Arnold walks up to police officer) "Hey - you want to be a farmer?" "Huh?" "Here's a couple of achers!" (kick to the nuts)
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May 10, 2004 19:42
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Like others mentioned, I found this movie lame and boring.
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May 10, 2004 19:51
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"He also said you killed Mozart" "Moe who?" "Zart" "I kill a lot of people" 4.5
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May 10, 2004 21:55
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| # ? Apr 19, 2024 22:16 |
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Hamlet part was pretty good, but I loved the car chase scene with the truck full of guys. Then the bridge jump.....the jumping over the storage truck...deserves a good 5/5 stars for making fun of itself.
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May 11, 2004 00:37
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