2/4  Last Action Hero Quick Review
A fantastic idea for film ruined by way too cheesy tactics and, let's face it, pretty bad acting (intentional or not). I do like the part where Death came out of The Seventh Seal, though.

4/5 I'm the famous comedian..Arnold Brownswegger
  by Sid the Elf (North Pole)
Despite a rapid decline in the weekly soundboard routine Sid remains very loyal to the king of pranks himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger. For years we have been blessed with so many laughs and enjoyment from our bulky headed California governor that we felt the need to get another one of his films in. At this point the pickings are very slim since we pounded away at the Arnold market for a year straight in 07. However we were reminded that Last Action Hero still lies in wait and luckily our friend on-demand just happened to have it available.

Our film starts off with young Arnold movie obsessed Danny Madigan as he hangs around at his local movie theater. He's a regular and has befriended the boss from Mrs. Doubtfire who moonlights as the theater owner, who invites Danny to a secret midnight screening of the new Jack Slater movie. Sounds a bit to catch a predator sketchy but the old man checks out and was not just "some old guy wanting to perv you out." Somehow the ticket Danny receives is magic and transports him into the back of Arnold caddie. From there he tags along everywhere in a world where the movies are a reality.

For us the film was worth of four star rating off the two simple facts that Eclipse is the first face you see on screen and Apache from the immortal Death Ring makes an appearance. Yeah that's right Apache, awesome. That also lead us to believe Arnold is a big fan of Apache's work since he also had him play the exact same driver role in Predator. Yeah you have no idea what we're talking about but you'll just have to say "well I'm not used to that but that's fine." Unfortunately Sid was on the cusp of quite a nerve racking situation thanks to the real life 40 year old virgin and couldn't enjoy Last Action Hero quite as much as we wanted. Despite that the movie was a laugh riot filled with soundboard lines and goofy dialogue. It's one worth checking out for the Arnold enthusiasts out there.

5/5 "If God was a villain, he'd be me"
  by miseryhatescompany (Fort Lauderdale)
*** This review may contain spoilers ***


Im one of those few people who got the joke. I got the joke back in 1993 when it came out. I know that this movie was meant to spoof those absurd action movies. Its these bonehead cookie-cutter critics that don't get that point. Bunch of pinheads keep saying the same thing because they allow weirdos like Roger Ebert and smarmy d***heads like Richard Roeper dictate to them what qualifies as quality movies. Check out the negative reviews on this site. They all go along the lines of "worst movie I've ever seen". Simple-minded predictable sheep. And now....... the review.

Premise: Daniel(Austin O'Brien) gets a magic ticket from a movie store owner given to him by Houdini. While watching the latest Jack Slater movie, Daniel gets transported into the movie itself and ends up joining Jack Slater(played by Arnold) in his crazy adventures. This particular adventure involves Jack finding out the killer of his brother.

Opinion: There are plenty of good things to say about this movie and very little bad things to say about this movie. The action is plentiful and the sets look great. That kid is annoying little wimp though(I must have watched this movie 10 times and still find that kid insufferable). The humor hits(the outlandish stunts, shooting TNT away with bullets, the hackneyed catchphrases, a funeral filled with strapped mob families etc). My biggest gripe with the film is that it has to constantly explain itself through that craven kid. Its obvious that Daniel is the voice of reason in this movie and what an annoying voice that is! Plus he is a major wimp. You mean to tell me that somebody breaks into your house armed with a knife, dares you to stab them in the back with the knife and you do nothing? What a wuss! Besides these flaws, this movie is still underrated gem that is worth picking up. A noteworthy satire on ludicrous action flicks and compared to the rubbish that passes for parody now(Date Movie, Epic Movie, Disaster Movie, Meet The Spartans etc)it holds up well after all these years.

I'll leave you on this note: Not every movie that bombs at the box office is bad and not every movie that succeeds in the box office is good. There are plenty of movies that failed at the box office that are good and there are some movies that succeeded at the box office that stink to high heaven. Stop being a trend-follower and see for yourself.

Last Action Hero: the most underrated parody of all time.



4/5 Arnold Is Best Portraying Himself
  by Glynn E. Breuer
This movie has a campy charm to it. Self-referential comedy can be fun, as when the "real" Arnold argues with Maria over plugging his business interests at public events. The Stallone digs are good too. Enjoy this movie for what it is, cotton candy for the mind.

3/5 NEW EDITION MUST COME OUT
  by Dominic (Southern California)
The Last Action Hero

I am one of the people who grew up watching this movie. Overall this is actually a good action film. Anyone who doesn't like it, obviously didn't get that it was meant to be a satire of all the typical, cliches of action films.

John McTiernan, whether or not it was his approach, knew that the only way to truly satirize something, you must be as close to the subject matter as possible. Although he directed such great action films as Die Hard, Predator and The Hunt For Red October, he still manages to pull off his style and being true to the genre, while still managing to turn out a smart parody.

I am one for urging Sony Pictures to release an anniversary edition of this film, to be represented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio and having a DTS mix in it as well. All fans of the film at least deserve that much. along with some interesting new special features with more then just a trailer.

3/5 LAH: Big Mistake Edition
  by Mel Zorro
This movie has such a clever plot that never quite lives up to its potential, but does provide a few laughs and smiles along the way.

I saw this movie in the theater when I was the same age as the young protagonist and I thought it was awesome! My how things have changed since those carefree days when a million cameos and lots of explosions could make up for terrible writing and weak direction.

The Good: Tom Noonan as The Ripper is genuinely creepy and makes a great arch-foe for our Hero. Jack Slater is a character with hilarious moments, especially when he calls himself, "Arnold Groundschmuger, the famous comedian". The spoof on the action genre is much funnier in retrospect than at the time of the film's release. Bridgette Wilson in cut-off jean shorts, 'nuff said.

The Bad: Danny Madigan goes from being cute to annoying so many times it makes you wish Benedict would just shoot him already. Once the movie crosses over into the real world and Jack's "crisis" with being a fictional character the movie loses its focus and gets to wrapped up in whatever moral it failed to get across to the audience.

I would be willing to own this movie for the first hours worth of fun and comedy if not for the terrible pan & scan work that was done on the transfer (and I'm not shelling out $27.00 for the widescreen version). Maybe someday when they release the LAH: Big Mistake Edition where we get an apologetic, film-roast of a commentary over a widescreen cut of the film, I'll fork over my dough, but until then: PASS!