Action Jackson

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.