Last Action Hero

PG-13

Released Jun 18, 1993

2 hr. 11 min.

Action

Comedy

List

41%

54 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Following the death of his father, young Danny Madigan (Austin O'Brien) takes comfort in watching action movies featuring the indestructible Los Angeles cop Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger). After being given a magic ticket by theater manager Nick (Robert Prosky), Danny is sucked into the screen and bonds with Slater. When evil fictional villain Benedict (Charles Dance) gets his hands on the ticket and enters the real world, Danny and Jack must follow and stop him.

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Critics Consensus

Last Action Hero has most of the right ingredients for a big-budget action spoof, but its scattershot tone and uneven structure only add up to a confused, chaotic mess.

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Alain M

"The Last Action Hero" receives a commendable 4-star rating for its clever deconstruction of the action genre and its entertaining blend of satire and action-packed thrills. Directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as both himself and the larger-than-life action hero Jack Slater, the film follows young Danny Madigan, played by Austin O'Brien, as he is magically transported into the world of his favorite action movie franchise. At its core, "The Last Action Hero" is a love letter to the action genre, poking fun at its tropes and conventions while simultaneously celebrating its appeal. Schwarzenegger delivers a standout performance, effortlessly embodying the larger-than-life persona of Jack Slater while also displaying a self-awareness and comedic timing that adds depth to the character. O'Brien shines as the wide-eyed Danny, serving as the audience's surrogate as he navigates the absurdities of the action movie world. What sets "The Last Action Hero" apart is its metafictional elements, which cleverly blur the lines between reality and fiction. As Danny explores the world of Jack Slater, he becomes increasingly aware of the artificiality of the action movie genre, questioning its logic and challenging its clichés. This meta commentary adds an extra layer of depth to the film, inviting viewers to reflect on the nature of storytelling and the power of imagination. In addition to its thought-provoking themes, "The Last Action Hero" delivers on the action front with exhilarating set pieces and over-the-top stunts that pay homage to the genre's greatest hits. From explosive car chases to bone-crunching fight scenes, the film offers plenty of thrills for action movie enthusiasts. While "The Last Action Hero" may not have been initially appreciated upon its release, it has since garnered a cult following for its bold approach to storytelling and its willingness to subvert audience expectations. With its sharp wit, memorable performances, and adrenaline-pumping action sequences, "The Last Action Hero" proves to be a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking ride that deserves its 4-star rating. Whether you're a fan of action movies or simply enjoy a cleverly crafted satire, this film is sure to delight and surprise audiences of all ages.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

Full Review

Thomas K

Also one of those movies, I still like until today. So much fun and so much good stuff to find.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

Full Review

Shay W

I like it. The movie has it's own style, like the shot where the camera tracks in on Charles Dance' bullseye eye. It almost like a live action cartoon. The tone gets a bit confused later as the plot progresses, but I don't think it's as had as some of the reviews suggest.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/24

Full Review

Samuel L

This movie doesn't get nearly enough love, in my opinion. Even today a lot of the jokes still work as most of the tropes they are making fun of haven't gone anywhere. Arnold does a good job of playing it straight when doing an exaggerated version of his previous characters in the "movie" scenes but manages to offer some nuance as his character's perspective on reality gets warped. Charles Dance's villain should go down as an all time great. He sells the cold-blooded killer aspect (no surprise there) but also has some of the funniest moments in the movie; like calling the kid's bluff about harming "a hair on her head" or when he's in the real world conducting his experiment. as a satire it was years ahead of its time, to the point where I still read reviews railing on it and think to myself "wow they really did not get what this movie is".

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

Full Review

Daniel M

I thought I was going to love watching it after so many years and it didn't grab me at all, 5 min into the movie I didn't care much about the story. The kid was terrible, no wonder he disappeared after thus movie lol

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/21/23

Full Review

M R

This is poised to be viewed as a classic in 20 years. It just took 50 years total for people to appreciate how great this film truly is. I wondered if it was just my taste growing up, but no this film ages incredibly well. It parodies all the action movie tropes brilliantly. And yes, the kid is kind of annoying but he's also your "quintessential" 90's Nickelodeon kid. You could see him headlining some Disney reject kid's movie alongside 'Clarissa Explains It All". He's just a little more annoying version of Cory Matthews, but this kid is supposed to be a sorta of a dork/loser in the real world with action movies as an escape. He's not supposed to be charming or likeable. I just believe half the people who dislike this film is because of the kid. I get it. Even though 'The Simpsons' were like "Magic ticket my ass McBain!" The concept is fine. This is a fantasy film. It's more like 'The Neverending Story' over "Terminator 2" which is why some people refuse to like it. It's actually those 2 movies fused together with some top notch parody 'a la SNL' and family friendly comedy (mostly) . It's tame, yes but it was done so to get the PG-13 rating. I believe for today's standards it's definitely PG. Many people from the era will probably still hate it. I feel this movie has been better appreciated by newer generations who don't mind the fact it's a little corny. Those 80's and 90's macho films were all about being buff, tough, macho, ladies men and cool. This one is silly in comparison. Once you get past that, it's a very enjoyable experience. Grade: 85/100 B

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/16/23

Full Review

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John McTiernan

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Jack Slater

Austin O'Brien

Danny Madigan

Charles Dance

Benedict

F. Murray Abraham

John Practice

Art Carney

Frank

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Last Action Hero: Official Clip - Rooftop Ripper

3:33

Last Action Hero: Official Clip - I'll Be Back

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Last Action Hero: Official Clip - Don't Give Up Your Day Job

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Last Action Hero: Official Clip - This Man's Not Dead!

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Last Action Hero: Official Clip - If God Was a Villain, He'd Be Me

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Last Action Hero: Official Clip - Fasten Your Seatbelt

2:59

Last Action Hero: Official Clip - Silent But Deadly

2:53

Last Action Hero: Official Clip - This is Happening

2:59

Last Action Hero: Official Clip - Hamlet Parody

0:57

Last Action Hero: Official Clip - No Sequel For You

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

It’s nothing new that the makers of Last Action Hero don’t have a clear notion of what separates movies from life, but the makers of the other summer blockbusters aren’t any better versed in reality...

Rated: 2/4

Jun 2, 2022

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Last Action Hero loses control of itself.

Nov 8, 2018

Full Review

Adam Mars-Jones

Independent (UK)

The director has to boost the realism of his staging in a rather self-defeating manner. It begins to look, not that he's having it both ways, trading on what he mocks, but that he has painted himself into a corner.

Nov 14, 2017

Full Review

Alejandro Turdo

Hoy Sale Cine

In retrospective, Schwarzenegger's Last Action Hero was a movie some how ahead of its time. Funny, self aware, poking fun at the Industry while being tremendously entertaining. With great villains and a killer soundtrack.

Rated: 9/10

Mar 13, 2024

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

It’s an important, albeit flawed, movie.

Apr 5, 2023

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

A bombastic, rhythmless mess.

Rated: C-

Aug 31, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Following the death of his father, young Danny Madigan (Austin O'Brien) takes comfort in watching action movies featuring the indestructible Los Angeles cop Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger). After being given a magic ticket by theater manager Nick (Robert Prosky), Danny is sucked into the screen and bonds with Slater. When evil fictional villain Benedict (Charles Dance) gets his hands on the ticket and enters the real world, Danny and Jack must follow and stop him.

Director: John McTiernan
Executive Producer: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Screenwriter: Zak Penn, Adam Leff, Shane Black, David Arnott
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Columbia Tristar
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Oak Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Sound Mix: Surround

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