93 reviews
A never-mentioned gem
A late-'80s action movie directed by a stunt man (and all that that implies!)
No one's pretending "Action Jackson" is high art, but man is it fun. The only guns Carl Weathers needs to fight crime are his rippling biceps. Throw in the wickedly evil Craig T. Nelson and a couple of foxy supporting ladies, and baby you got a stew going (couldn't help the Arrested Development reference).
This has all of the tropes of the period, plus a healthy dose of blaxploitation; and it's a potent mixture. Not to mention the wide range of stunts. Let me put it another way; a bad guy is thrown out of the window of one building ... and through the window of another one! It's loud, over-the-top and wildly entertaining.
No one's pretending "Action Jackson" is high art, but man is it fun. The only guns Carl Weathers needs to fight crime are his rippling biceps. Throw in the wickedly evil Craig T. Nelson and a couple of foxy supporting ladies, and baby you got a stew going (couldn't help the Arrested Development reference).
This has all of the tropes of the period, plus a healthy dose of blaxploitation; and it's a potent mixture. Not to mention the wide range of stunts. Let me put it another way; a bad guy is thrown out of the window of one building ... and through the window of another one! It's loud, over-the-top and wildly entertaining.
Brilliant in its cheesiness.
While it is a pretty standard genre flick in some respects (maverick hero, psychotic and ambitious bad guy, beautiful women, angry boss, lots of explosions, etc.), "Action Jackson" maintains an irresistibly silly, tongue in cheek style. It's often so damn silly that it's hilarious. Just witness our hero's attempts to take down a cab driving goon. It begins with a good "grabber" opening, and continues to deliver enough mayhem to keep the action junkie consistently amused.
In his first starring vehicle, Carl Weathers once again shows off effortless charisma and his incredibly chiseled body. He's a natural for a role like this, playing the title character, a detective who's been saddled with a desk job for two years but who gets caught up in the schemes of Peter Dellaplane (a wonderfully hammy Craig T. Nelson), an auto tycoon with political ambitions and a murderous nature. Action Jackson figures that the way to get to Dellaplane is through his women: either his young second wife Patrice (Sharon Stone) or his foxy mistress Sydney (singer / actress Vanity).
The film comes up with a couple of one liners, some better than others. "So? He had a spare!" You know it's not meant to be taken seriously when Action Jackson actually drives a car through his quarry's house - and that's just one major example. The clichés are there, too: we have the kind of "Talking Villain" who feels the obligation to tell the good guy his entire evil plan - wrongly assuming, of course, that his nemesis is toast. Craig R. Baxley, a longtime stunt specialist in a career dating back to the early 70s, makes his theatrical directing debut here, and he would follow it up with such other delights as "I Come In Peace" (a.k.a. "Dark Angel") and "Stone Cold". So the movie is naturally full of great stunt work.
One awesome aspect to this movie is playing Spot the Familiar Face. And lots of them turn up - Thomas F. Wilson, Bill Duke, Robert Davi, Jack Thibeau, Roger Aaron Brown, Mary Ellen Trainor, Ed O'Ross, Bob Minor, Dennis Hayden, Brian Libby, Al Leong, De'voreaux White, Jim Haynie, Nicholas Worth, Chino 'Fats' Williams, Charles Meshack, Miguel A. Nunez Jr., Branscombe Richmond, and Sonny Landham. Now THAT'S an impressive cast!
Add to that a very 80s pop soundtrack (Vanity herself performs two tunes), a score by Herbie Hancock and Michael Kamen, a fairly high body count, and a lively finish, and you've got the ingredients for a damn fine 96 minutes of entertainment.
Seven out of 10.
In his first starring vehicle, Carl Weathers once again shows off effortless charisma and his incredibly chiseled body. He's a natural for a role like this, playing the title character, a detective who's been saddled with a desk job for two years but who gets caught up in the schemes of Peter Dellaplane (a wonderfully hammy Craig T. Nelson), an auto tycoon with political ambitions and a murderous nature. Action Jackson figures that the way to get to Dellaplane is through his women: either his young second wife Patrice (Sharon Stone) or his foxy mistress Sydney (singer / actress Vanity).
The film comes up with a couple of one liners, some better than others. "So? He had a spare!" You know it's not meant to be taken seriously when Action Jackson actually drives a car through his quarry's house - and that's just one major example. The clichés are there, too: we have the kind of "Talking Villain" who feels the obligation to tell the good guy his entire evil plan - wrongly assuming, of course, that his nemesis is toast. Craig R. Baxley, a longtime stunt specialist in a career dating back to the early 70s, makes his theatrical directing debut here, and he would follow it up with such other delights as "I Come In Peace" (a.k.a. "Dark Angel") and "Stone Cold". So the movie is naturally full of great stunt work.
One awesome aspect to this movie is playing Spot the Familiar Face. And lots of them turn up - Thomas F. Wilson, Bill Duke, Robert Davi, Jack Thibeau, Roger Aaron Brown, Mary Ellen Trainor, Ed O'Ross, Bob Minor, Dennis Hayden, Brian Libby, Al Leong, De'voreaux White, Jim Haynie, Nicholas Worth, Chino 'Fats' Williams, Charles Meshack, Miguel A. Nunez Jr., Branscombe Richmond, and Sonny Landham. Now THAT'S an impressive cast!
Add to that a very 80s pop soundtrack (Vanity herself performs two tunes), a score by Herbie Hancock and Michael Kamen, a fairly high body count, and a lively finish, and you've got the ingredients for a damn fine 96 minutes of entertainment.
Seven out of 10.
- Hey_Sweden
- Aug 23, 2013
- Permalink
So bad it's good! Classic 80's nonsense!
There isn't much to say about this movie. It's so stereo-type 80's it's unreal! Carl Weathers (Rocky, Predator) plays Jericho 'Action' Jackson. Im just gonna leave it there because his name is just too damn awesome! This is full of explosions, fulls of fist fights, full of awful acting and one-liners and amazingly, has a half decent cast of big name 80's action stars like Bill Duke and Sonny Landham (both of whom appeared in Predator with Weathers and Arnold Schwarzenegger), and Robert Davy (Die Hard, Raw Deal, Predator 2). But the story is basically about Jackson, who has been demoted to a desk cop and hates it, and has to keep his old 'Action Jackson' rebellious days behind him if he want's to be promoted again. When he is trailing a sadistic businessman who is murdering all his union competition so he can take the head job, then you know his 'Action Jackson' gun-ho days are going to return to save the day! It really is fun, I recommend it completely.
- bazthegreatone
- Sep 23, 2008
- Permalink
Vanity Fans Take Note: Her Best Performance
Review dedicated to the "Vanity" fans out there, who now know her as Evangelist Denise Matthews. She plays a heroin addict, songstress named Sydney Ash. Once again, she plays a role that is similar to her situation in real life. Carl Weathers, a rogue cop who doesn't play by the rules, seeks her out as part of his research on a killer. Vanity glows in this role, and turns in a better performance than she gave in "The Last Dragon". It's not just her incredible beauty, which has been her calling card. There are moments in her performance where you see real depth and growth in her acting, and a promise of better performances to come. She held closely to her persona sex kitten formula after The Last Dragon, and we see it here to. We'll never know if she could have improved her craft, since she has become a born again Christian, vowing never to work in Hollywood again. She has a musical number, and you will not be disappointed. I recommend this movie as being fun, reckless and entertaining. I'm not an action movie fan, but I liked this movie. There were silly moments, but nothing too painful or embarrassing to watch. If nothing else, see this movie for Sharon Stone before she was "SHARON STONE". There is steamy female nudity for the obvious lead ladies, and blood and violence. If all that appeals to you, see this movie!
- anthonyfeather
- Dec 11, 2002
- Permalink
80's Action
This is a cheesy 80's action flick. It is another one of those movies that is so bad, it's actually good. It's not your typical 80's action movie, at least not completely. It tries to be hip and modern for young audiences, and still appeal to adults. It's got a MoTown Soundtrack and some Slasher movie style music. Action Jackson is an entertaining movie if your in the mood for something fun. Don't try to overanalyze it and you will enjoy it.
Aaaahhh, the late 80s...
Aaaah the late 80s
when:
The fact that a character's name is 'Action' Jackson didn't need to be justified. It just was. We take for granted that Action Jackson is scary and awe-inspiring as peripheral characters tell us so. Ditto the fact that his passion for his job and creative methods have resulted in him being demoted and his wife leaving him The bad guy is identified early. Better still he is already Action Jackson's nemesis. Better still, still. The guy responsible for his demotion and wife leaving him. Unexpected and unnecessary nudity was both expected and necessary. The bad guy has a hot trophy wife (Sharon Stone) and a hot mistress (Vanity). Both of whom are more than willing to take their clothes off for little reason.
Furthermore
Women get out of the shower nude. Guys are wearing jeans. Performing in a club with a totally see through top isn't noticed by anyone in the club – but those of us watching at home It doesn't matter if the hero doesn't actually say something funny or clever, as long as he and the other characters seem to think what he is saying is funny and/or clever. Post-kill quips still need work though, no "Hasta la vista Baby" or "Stick around here" (though "How do you like your ribs" was OK. The answer is apparently 'exploded'.) Dangerous minions can time their hit and run assassination attempts to coincide with the came split second that their target walks through a door, despite traffic and the fact that they are hundreds of yards away with no possible way of knowing that this was the point he was to emerge "I have to catch a cab' means a chase scene, with Jackson not only catching up but giving him a mouthful through the window of his speeding car while still on foot! Leading to big explosions and certain civilian deaths, none of which are mentioned again. People get hit in the face and actually bleed. (Happens less on film nowadays than you think.) Cheesy pop music on the soundtrack is justifiable for the fact that it was the 80s, the spiritual home of cheesy pop music. Every character actor in the film is recognisable from another classic film of the era. In the first 10 minutes I saw minor roles filled with actors from Predator, Beverly Hills Cop, Red Heat, Back to the Future and seemingly half of the cast of Die Hard. We know the big showdown will be a fist fight when we see the Bad Guy training in hand to hand combat. A good body double can make you think that a 60 year old is a karate machine why don't we ever manage to see his face while he pulling off these athletic moves ? Stunt men are plentiful and disposable, and unnecessary CGI is not needed. Movies were 80 minutes long and had a beginning, middle and end.
Final Rating – 6 / 10. None of the above things are bad. Action Jackson is not in the same league as Lethal Weapon, Die Hard and their peers, but it is a solid formula action comedy, which proves that Carl Weathers had genuine on screen likability.
The fact that a character's name is 'Action' Jackson didn't need to be justified. It just was. We take for granted that Action Jackson is scary and awe-inspiring as peripheral characters tell us so. Ditto the fact that his passion for his job and creative methods have resulted in him being demoted and his wife leaving him The bad guy is identified early. Better still he is already Action Jackson's nemesis. Better still, still. The guy responsible for his demotion and wife leaving him. Unexpected and unnecessary nudity was both expected and necessary. The bad guy has a hot trophy wife (Sharon Stone) and a hot mistress (Vanity). Both of whom are more than willing to take their clothes off for little reason.
Furthermore
Women get out of the shower nude. Guys are wearing jeans. Performing in a club with a totally see through top isn't noticed by anyone in the club – but those of us watching at home It doesn't matter if the hero doesn't actually say something funny or clever, as long as he and the other characters seem to think what he is saying is funny and/or clever. Post-kill quips still need work though, no "Hasta la vista Baby" or "Stick around here" (though "How do you like your ribs" was OK. The answer is apparently 'exploded'.) Dangerous minions can time their hit and run assassination attempts to coincide with the came split second that their target walks through a door, despite traffic and the fact that they are hundreds of yards away with no possible way of knowing that this was the point he was to emerge "I have to catch a cab' means a chase scene, with Jackson not only catching up but giving him a mouthful through the window of his speeding car while still on foot! Leading to big explosions and certain civilian deaths, none of which are mentioned again. People get hit in the face and actually bleed. (Happens less on film nowadays than you think.) Cheesy pop music on the soundtrack is justifiable for the fact that it was the 80s, the spiritual home of cheesy pop music. Every character actor in the film is recognisable from another classic film of the era. In the first 10 minutes I saw minor roles filled with actors from Predator, Beverly Hills Cop, Red Heat, Back to the Future and seemingly half of the cast of Die Hard. We know the big showdown will be a fist fight when we see the Bad Guy training in hand to hand combat. A good body double can make you think that a 60 year old is a karate machine why don't we ever manage to see his face while he pulling off these athletic moves ? Stunt men are plentiful and disposable, and unnecessary CGI is not needed. Movies were 80 minutes long and had a beginning, middle and end.
Final Rating – 6 / 10. None of the above things are bad. Action Jackson is not in the same league as Lethal Weapon, Die Hard and their peers, but it is a solid formula action comedy, which proves that Carl Weathers had genuine on screen likability.
- oneguyrambling
- Apr 19, 2012
- Permalink
Acton Hits are hard to make, I guess
I always used to scratch my head at how Arnold, Sly and Willis were able to generate such income for movies that were average at best. I guess I just felt that the dumb action movies of the '80s were easy to crank out. HOWEVER, Action Jackson disproves that myth. In fact, "Cobra" looks like "Citizen Kane" compared to this boring and senseless movie. I have no doubt that the producers here envisioned a whole Action Jackson series that would generate untold millions. They got a capable actor in Weathers and put a decent supporting cast in with him, however, the script and story are both dismal. You just can't hold any interest in the story, because it just seems to ramble incoherently all over the place. Once again we have a movie based on numerous other bad movies. Craig T. Nelson had the talent to make for a really bad guy, but even his character ended up being boring and clichéd. Sadly, after this bomb, Action Jackson II had as little chance of being made as the documentary over "The Making of Action Jackson." Oh well, I am sure there is some factory somewhere in the world with a million Action Jackson action figures, still in their packaging, the brainchild of an overconfident marketing department. And I bet, that if you put those babies on ebay, well, not one person would buy one.
"Action Jackson" is a competently standard showcase for Carl Weathers' superhero cool
Action is a proud man, a high-school track star, a dedicated cop, a sergeant who lost his lieutenant's stripes almost two years ago
He jostles a conceited, two-faced, backstabbing mass murderer called Peter Dellaplane (Craig T. Nelson). Director Craig R. Baxley has not only carried it off, but makes you believe it One must also give some of the credit to Carl Weathers whose erect muscular body and his charm and good looks give some credence to the heroics
The picture contains fun, lots of action, and two sexy women
Vanity looked so gorgeous when she was shot up with heroin
Stone met her husband after his first wife died and his son went to prison She thinks that he may seem greedy and arrogant but he remained loved by everyone, and the whole experience changed him She also thinks that Jackson is not so different from her husband, that both are stubborn, and both intent on getting what they want
He jostles a conceited, two-faced, backstabbing mass murderer called Peter Dellaplane (Craig T. Nelson). Director Craig R. Baxley has not only carried it off, but makes you believe it One must also give some of the credit to Carl Weathers whose erect muscular body and his charm and good looks give some credence to the heroics
The picture contains fun, lots of action, and two sexy women
Vanity looked so gorgeous when she was shot up with heroin
Stone met her husband after his first wife died and his son went to prison She thinks that he may seem greedy and arrogant but he remained loved by everyone, and the whole experience changed him She also thinks that Jackson is not so different from her husband, that both are stubborn, and both intent on getting what they want
- Nazi_Fighter_David
- May 17, 2008
- Permalink
Carl Weathers deserves something great
Action Jackson (Carl Weathers) is a tough Detroit police sergeant. Captain Armbruster (Bill Duke) orders him to attend a ceremony awarding a Man of the Year award to powerful industrialist Peter Dellaplane (Craig T. Nelson). Jackson had been demoted and lost everything after a violent takedown of Peter's psycho son Sean. Peter has a team of assassins who massacres union leaders of Peter's company. His wife Patrice (Sharon Stone) cooperates with Jackson. Peter kills her and plants her body in Jackson's apartment. Jackson escapes with Peter's lounge-singing drug-addicted mistress Sydney Ash (Vanity).
Carl Weathers is a charismatic actor. This is more or less a blaxploitation movie. He could do better and he has great skills. The movie is called Action Jackson and there is plenty of action. The thing is that Weathers needs to start the movie with a big action scene. The big starting action is done without context and without thrills. He finally gets one later on with a nice explosive car chase. I don't like the way Weathers ends the confrontation which struck me as being silly and again reeks of blaxploitation. Craig T. Nelson could be a good villain but I don't buy his physical prowess. He doesn't need to be a physical threat for him to be scary. Vanity is close to being annoying. The girl is as sexy as hell but I don't like her songs. Her acting is also lacking. There are some good parts and I absolutely love Weathers. That's why he deserves something better than this.
Carl Weathers is a charismatic actor. This is more or less a blaxploitation movie. He could do better and he has great skills. The movie is called Action Jackson and there is plenty of action. The thing is that Weathers needs to start the movie with a big action scene. The big starting action is done without context and without thrills. He finally gets one later on with a nice explosive car chase. I don't like the way Weathers ends the confrontation which struck me as being silly and again reeks of blaxploitation. Craig T. Nelson could be a good villain but I don't buy his physical prowess. He doesn't need to be a physical threat for him to be scary. Vanity is close to being annoying. The girl is as sexy as hell but I don't like her songs. Her acting is also lacking. There are some good parts and I absolutely love Weathers. That's why he deserves something better than this.
- SnoopyStyle
- Mar 13, 2016
- Permalink
Vanity is gorgeous plus lots of great small roles
Vanity is unbelievably beautiful, and funny, from beginning to end and from stem to stern.
She is matched by golden-blonde Sharon Stone. Both these gorgeous hotties appear topless! And there are many wonderful actors in small roles, including three of the greatest character-actors of the time: Robert Davi, Ed O'Ross, and Nicholas Worth, the terrifying, rubbery-lipped basso who plays Dellaplane's butler.
The screenplay is totally brain-free, written for stoned teenagers. (In this universe, it's EASY to break a heroin-habit!) But the action is hot, the women are sexy, the music is ultra-hip, and the villains are creepy.
Great fun. Royal fun.
She is matched by golden-blonde Sharon Stone. Both these gorgeous hotties appear topless! And there are many wonderful actors in small roles, including three of the greatest character-actors of the time: Robert Davi, Ed O'Ross, and Nicholas Worth, the terrifying, rubbery-lipped basso who plays Dellaplane's butler.
The screenplay is totally brain-free, written for stoned teenagers. (In this universe, it's EASY to break a heroin-habit!) But the action is hot, the women are sexy, the music is ultra-hip, and the villains are creepy.
Great fun. Royal fun.
- ColonelPuntridge
- Jan 23, 2010
- Permalink
The "brilliant" title says it all
After seeing Carl Weathers in only the Rocky movies it seemed he had nothing else better to do. Action Jackson proves that point. A mixture of Lethal Weapon, Airplane, and Beverly Hills Cop-all done BADLY! The previews showed a fairly impressive car chase scene-but you take that scene out of the movie and you don't have a movie. Even hot stuff Vanity's naked body couldn't save this.
Great 80s Fun
Okay, now what isn't there to like about a movie that stars Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, a young Sharon Stone (scrumptious), Bill Duke, Vanity (good googly moogly) and tons of other recognizable 80s actors? Nothing! This movie rules. In the words of my roommate, "you come for Carl Weathers and you stay for Craig T Nelson." Carl Weathers is great as straight ahead copper Action Jackson, but Craig T Nelson steals the show here as the evil Mr. Delaplane. He is such a twisted jerk that being the richest man in Detroit and having a young Sharon Stone as his wife isn't enough, he needs to shoot Vanity full of heroin, too. (Side note: Vanity was extremely strung out on crack cocaine at this time, read Motley Crue's book: "The Dirt" for more info.) The action and laughs are nonstop. If you love dumb 80s big budget action, this is a must see. 8/10.
- reverendtom
- Dec 3, 2006
- Permalink
An underrated addition to the action genre that's an absolute must see
Action Jackson (1988) is a movie in my DVD collection that I recently watched on HBOMAX. The storyline follows a Detroit police officer on the case of a power hungry business man whose business illegally eliminates the competition, moves drugs and he has visions of political power. The business man also wants revenge on the officer for ripping his sons arm off when he was caught for sexual assault. The case will lead the police officer right into the waiting arms of the business man who will try and get his revenge.
This movie is directed by Craig R. Baxley (Twilight Man) and stars Carl Weathers (Predator), Craig T. Nelson (Coach), Vanity (The Last Dragon), Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct), Bill Duke (Predator), Ed O'Ross (Red Heat), and Robert Davi (Die Hard).
This movie has everything an action genre fan would want in a movie. This has a tremendous cast with a muscle bound hero with great one liners, a worthwhile villain that takes martial arts classes and two smoking hot ladies in Sharon Stone and Vanity. There's nude scenes, tremendous action sequences and a police officer that will do anything to solve the case - kill, vandalize or blow stuff up. The shootouts and shotgun scenes are a lot of fun. My only complaint would be some of the hand to hand fight scenes were just okay.
Overall, this is an underrated addition to the action genre that's an absolute must see. I would score this a 7/10 and strongly recommend it.
This movie is directed by Craig R. Baxley (Twilight Man) and stars Carl Weathers (Predator), Craig T. Nelson (Coach), Vanity (The Last Dragon), Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct), Bill Duke (Predator), Ed O'Ross (Red Heat), and Robert Davi (Die Hard).
This movie has everything an action genre fan would want in a movie. This has a tremendous cast with a muscle bound hero with great one liners, a worthwhile villain that takes martial arts classes and two smoking hot ladies in Sharon Stone and Vanity. There's nude scenes, tremendous action sequences and a police officer that will do anything to solve the case - kill, vandalize or blow stuff up. The shootouts and shotgun scenes are a lot of fun. My only complaint would be some of the hand to hand fight scenes were just okay.
Overall, this is an underrated addition to the action genre that's an absolute must see. I would score this a 7/10 and strongly recommend it.
- kevin_robbins
- Feb 23, 2023
- Permalink
Apollo Creed with a gun
Would anyone like a bowl of macaroni and CHEESE?
Bad example of the good old days of action movies
- tenthousandtattoos
- Feb 10, 2008
- Permalink
A highly entertaining gem!
- tarbosh22000
- Jun 14, 2011
- Permalink
If you've ever wondered why Carl Weathers didn't become a big star, look no further.
the return of the black action hero
I did a quick search on the internet to see if my memory served me right, and apparently it has. By 1981, the Blaxploitation action film was exhausted. - Although Fred Williamson had made a couple of action films in the mid-'80s, these don't really count, because Williamson can't act and can't direct.
The good news was that African-American cinema could say farewell to a stereotype; the bad news was that Hollywood wanted to find some way to say farewell to African-American cinema. The mid-'80s were lean years for anyone with dark-skin in Hollywood.
One of the problems had been that people critical of blaxploitation had missed the fact that Hollywood only does two type of films with any regularity, the action film (Western, Sci-Fi, crime, etc.) and the sit-com (domestic comedy). The notion that Hollywood does dramatic or otherwise serious films is a myth Hollywood likes to drag out at the Academy Awards. So if you're not making action films or comedies, you're not in Hollywood.
By the late '80s it was clear to everyone that African Americans (now constituting a sizable portion of regular movie audiences) were going to have to be represented on film again. But by then it was also clear that this audience wasn't going to tolerate being relegated to pimp and gang roles, at least not completely. For one thing, Eddie Murphy had broken the blaxploitation mold in 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop. I don't think anybody realizes that Murphy's roles in these films are a basic blaxploitation stereotypes, because Murphy clearly wasn't going to let himself be stereotyped. Murphy's popularity and savvy probably caused more anxiety than the anger of Melvin Van Peebles or Richard Pryor ever had, because it was clear that he was there to make money, something Hollywood could really understand.
At any rate: In 1988 the Wayans produced I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, a knock-down parody of the blaxploitation genre that pretty much assured that it would never raise its afro-covered head again. But it was still clear that African Americans needed a new action hero; so enter Action Jackson.
The reason why this film is not better remembered as the return of the black action hero is clearly because of the script. This is paint-by-numbers formula movie-making; this script has been written and filmed a hundred times, and every action star in Hollywood has appeared in some version of it, all of the Baldwin brothers in turn, Sly Stallone, Kirk Russell, Seagal, Schwarzenegger, Brandon Lee - I'm sure the reader can fill in the titles of each actor's version, regardless how unmemorable the films may have been. This formula was a kind of rite-of-passage for anyone wanting to make action films in the late '80s - early '90s. So why not Carl Weathers?
Actually, Weathers' performance in this film is quite good. It's hard to come up with a bone-breaking/rule-breaking cop who also happens to be suave and savvy (think part Dirty Harry, part James Bond), but Weathers nearly pulls it off. The decision not to play him with a 'black-english' accent and with no chip on his shoulder were exactly the qualities needed to leave the whole blaxploitation question away from the film at the time it was made. There are also some important ethnic transgressions here - we first find Vanity as the new mistress of the white bad-guy, whereas it's clear that Sharon stone's character has had a fling with Carl weathers'. Essentially, then, the film portrays a fantasy Detroit, where racism has indeed become a thing of the past that its all but forgotten. If only that were really true! But, again, that was exactly what was needed to get African Americans back into action films - i.e., back into Hollywood.
The direction of the film is fairly tight. The characters are so two dimensional, it may not be noticeable but the performances are all pretty solid; the whole film is professionally produced and presented. Also, two years before everybody in America would discover who Jackie Chan was and that he came from somewhere called Hong Kong, there are some terrific stunts in this film. And I noticed that other critics have reported that both Sharon Stone and Vanity get naked in this movie; frankly, I find such comments tasteless. On the other hand, there's no denying the attraction some men will feel for such important examples of women taking proper care of their health.
But the main point is, the film should be preserved if for now other reason, than because it was indeed the return to the mainstream of the strong African-American male hero; and we still need that in the cinema, and always have.
The good news was that African-American cinema could say farewell to a stereotype; the bad news was that Hollywood wanted to find some way to say farewell to African-American cinema. The mid-'80s were lean years for anyone with dark-skin in Hollywood.
One of the problems had been that people critical of blaxploitation had missed the fact that Hollywood only does two type of films with any regularity, the action film (Western, Sci-Fi, crime, etc.) and the sit-com (domestic comedy). The notion that Hollywood does dramatic or otherwise serious films is a myth Hollywood likes to drag out at the Academy Awards. So if you're not making action films or comedies, you're not in Hollywood.
By the late '80s it was clear to everyone that African Americans (now constituting a sizable portion of regular movie audiences) were going to have to be represented on film again. But by then it was also clear that this audience wasn't going to tolerate being relegated to pimp and gang roles, at least not completely. For one thing, Eddie Murphy had broken the blaxploitation mold in 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop. I don't think anybody realizes that Murphy's roles in these films are a basic blaxploitation stereotypes, because Murphy clearly wasn't going to let himself be stereotyped. Murphy's popularity and savvy probably caused more anxiety than the anger of Melvin Van Peebles or Richard Pryor ever had, because it was clear that he was there to make money, something Hollywood could really understand.
At any rate: In 1988 the Wayans produced I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, a knock-down parody of the blaxploitation genre that pretty much assured that it would never raise its afro-covered head again. But it was still clear that African Americans needed a new action hero; so enter Action Jackson.
The reason why this film is not better remembered as the return of the black action hero is clearly because of the script. This is paint-by-numbers formula movie-making; this script has been written and filmed a hundred times, and every action star in Hollywood has appeared in some version of it, all of the Baldwin brothers in turn, Sly Stallone, Kirk Russell, Seagal, Schwarzenegger, Brandon Lee - I'm sure the reader can fill in the titles of each actor's version, regardless how unmemorable the films may have been. This formula was a kind of rite-of-passage for anyone wanting to make action films in the late '80s - early '90s. So why not Carl Weathers?
Actually, Weathers' performance in this film is quite good. It's hard to come up with a bone-breaking/rule-breaking cop who also happens to be suave and savvy (think part Dirty Harry, part James Bond), but Weathers nearly pulls it off. The decision not to play him with a 'black-english' accent and with no chip on his shoulder were exactly the qualities needed to leave the whole blaxploitation question away from the film at the time it was made. There are also some important ethnic transgressions here - we first find Vanity as the new mistress of the white bad-guy, whereas it's clear that Sharon stone's character has had a fling with Carl weathers'. Essentially, then, the film portrays a fantasy Detroit, where racism has indeed become a thing of the past that its all but forgotten. If only that were really true! But, again, that was exactly what was needed to get African Americans back into action films - i.e., back into Hollywood.
The direction of the film is fairly tight. The characters are so two dimensional, it may not be noticeable but the performances are all pretty solid; the whole film is professionally produced and presented. Also, two years before everybody in America would discover who Jackie Chan was and that he came from somewhere called Hong Kong, there are some terrific stunts in this film. And I noticed that other critics have reported that both Sharon Stone and Vanity get naked in this movie; frankly, I find such comments tasteless. On the other hand, there's no denying the attraction some men will feel for such important examples of women taking proper care of their health.
But the main point is, the film should be preserved if for now other reason, than because it was indeed the return to the mainstream of the strong African-American male hero; and we still need that in the cinema, and always have.
Tough cop cleans up the streets
This urban drama delivers thrills, non-stop action and mayhem. Carl Weathers is a Superman in street clothes and benefits from stunt work and spectacular chases and crashes and does well enough to be believable. When Jackson loses his lieutenant stripes he becomes a rogue cop with an attitude. The film lacks coherence and hurtles from explosion to gruesome killing to firebomb which exposes the film's thin plot. Craig T. Nelson is a nasty character who allows no one to interfere with his agenda, and Sharon Stone spends her brief screen time trying to stay out harm's way. Vanity, a Motown wannabe with a heroin habit, is pretty enough but is no femme fatale. She and Weathers seem to have good chemistry here, but the film's highs and lows and long stretches of silly dialogue and meandering pace give the movie an uneven feel.
- NewEnglandPat
- May 4, 2009
- Permalink
not a bad movie
Carl Weathers gets a chance to be an action hero in this very enjoyable 80's action movie. There are plenty of fist fights, explosions, car crashes, and other action in this one, and I thought Weathers did a good job in this film. The scene when he outruns a cab and rides on the roof of it was kinda dumb but still entertaining. Craig T. Nelson does a good job as the bad guy. There are plenty of familiar faces in this one including Sharon Stone, Bill Duke, Ed O'Ross, Sonny Landham, and many more. In all, a recommended film, not the best action film of the 80's, but still a fun one. 3.5/5
- shakey_jake53
- May 5, 2003
- Permalink
It was a regular f*ck-o-rama at my place last night.
One thing is certain. Carl Weathers did not age one bit from all those Rocky films, and he looked as good as ever in this action film that features a really bad guy that got what was due to him. Craig T. Nelson was evil, evil, evil.
Of course, Sharon Stone was hot, hot, hot in a pre Basic Instinct film. I would even guess that she might have had some work done in the intervening four years, but I could be wrong. Maybe I'll have to go back and stare some more.
Vanity (Wasn't she with prince at one time?) didn't need any work, and i though she was unfairly criticized for her performance. Her singing was great and she really wasn't that bad an actress.
Well, it wasn't a wasted 90 minutes, but look for it on cable.
Of course, Sharon Stone was hot, hot, hot in a pre Basic Instinct film. I would even guess that she might have had some work done in the intervening four years, but I could be wrong. Maybe I'll have to go back and stare some more.
Vanity (Wasn't she with prince at one time?) didn't need any work, and i though she was unfairly criticized for her performance. Her singing was great and she really wasn't that bad an actress.
Well, it wasn't a wasted 90 minutes, but look for it on cable.
- lastliberal
- May 20, 2007
- Permalink
One of the Best '80s Action Flicks!
When I saw this movie back in 1988, I thought then & think now that it was one of the most action packed movies for this genre. Carl Weathers plays a likable cop that goes after an unscrupulous high-end car manufacturer. All of the characters, Vanity, Craig T. Nelson & Sharon Stone round out the cast nicely to make an enjoyable, action packed viewing experience for the 1h30m that it's on. It wasn't mean't to be an academy award winner, but it set out to do what it was intended to do, and that's to be an action packed movie from start to finish. If you can appreciate movies from the '80s, this one will be a welcome addition to any collector's library. I am glad to see it on DVD, because I have played my VHS copy to the max!
A Tribute To a Movie and an Age !
80's action
Carl Weathers takes the lead as a veangful cop going against the system,, as he battles, a high - end car manufacturer,, Craig T. Nelson who plays our villain,,, alongside those 2 are Vanity,, and Sharon Stone,,, lot's of violence and gore for ann 80's picture,,, loved Craig T. Nelson's character,, very shady and underhanded,,, Sharon Stone is as sexy as ever,, and folks let's give a hand to Vanity ,, who for me just stole the show,,, she can actually act which I never thought she would be able to pull that off ,,, other than her clothes... but she did,, overall I liked the picture it was middle of the road action,, for the 80's time period,, I'ts not a classic by any stretch of the imagination,, but worth watching,, if not for those 2 fabulous young ladies.
- kairingler
- Dec 26, 2013
- Permalink