Last Action Hero – Review

Last Action Hero was possibly ahead of its time, as it never seemed to quite find its audience when released in theaters, yet I always had a really good time with it. Despite having some unconventional elements, it is a fun story and was a great fit for Schwarzenegger.

The plot is a mix of zany action and kid fantasy: young, troubled 10-year-old Danny Madigan (O’Brien) LOVES movies, especially the Jack Slater (Schwarzenegger) action film series. On the day of a special screening of Jack Slater IV at his local theater, the projectionist gives him a “magic ticket” that he was always too afraid to use himself. Danny sits himself down in the theater, enjoying the explosions and gun battles, and then the ticket goes to work.

Somehow Danny is whisked away into the movie itself, placing him as a dorky side-kick and comic relief to Jack Slater, a full-on action hero detective. The rules of life work different in the movie, as the good guys are impervious to most damage and always stop the baddies in the nick of time.

The story continues to evolve with the new pair of “heroes” looking to stop the newest threat to Slater. Danny holds strange knowledge to this new world, as he has seen all the previous Slater installments a multitude of times, and gleaned clues from the opening scenes in the latest movie before being transported into its world.

Action, adventure and goofy comedy engulf the story, both pointing out Hollywood tropes and satirizing its world of “movie rules,” real-life film stars and script consequences of sequels. The writing is decently self-aware, and there are all sorts of homages and nods to other films, characters and stars of the time.

McTiernan is an apt director and balances many aspects of the film very well, including the satire. I personally have always loved its blend of fun and adventure, so this feature has always worked for me, but it is not a typical action movie and requires a bit of an open mind.