Joey Paur
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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1993 action movie Last Action Hero was a fun movie, but when it was released, it didn’t do very well. When I was a kid, I actually auditioned for this movie, and I actually had the opportunity to meet Schwarzenegger, which was a wild and cool experience! It’s been so long that looking back at that time it doesn’t seem like it was real. But, I remember Schwarzenegger being very nice, and I’ll never forget that classic smirk on his face with a big ol’ cigar in his mouth.
Anyway, the action-comedy film directed by John McTiernan, and it told the story of a young movie fan named Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brien) who is magically transported into the fictional world of his favorite action hero, Jack Slater (Schwarzenegger). As Danny navigates this fantastical world, he and Jack must team up to defeat the diabolical villain Benedict (Charles Dance) and prevent him from using a magical ticket to enter the real world.
During a recent interview with THR, Schwarzenegger was asked which one of his movie roles was his most underrated and the answer was Last Action Hero. He explained why:
“Last Action Hero. It was slaughtered before anybody saw it. It was literally a political attack because I was campaigning for [former President George H.W. Bush], but Bill Clinton won. Last Action Hero’was great — it wasn’t fantastic, but it was underrated. Now, more and more people are seeing it and saying, ‘I love this movie.’ I’m getting the residual checks, so I know it’s true. It made money — that’s always an important thing for me. Because it’s show business, right?”
While Last Action Hero wasn’t a big success when it was released, it has gained a cult following over the years and fans enjoy the story it told. There are actually several reasons why the movie is good and why it’s worth revisiting for those of you who have written it off.
The movie is a self-parody that cleverly satirizes the action genre and Schwarzenegger’s own iconic image as an action star. It pokes fun at the conventions and tropes of the genre while simultaneously embracing them. The film offers a self-awareness that was very unique for the time, and it blended humor and action in a way that showcases Schwarzenegger’s comedic talent.
There are meta elements in the film that explore the boundaries between fiction and reality, blurring the lines between the world of movies and the real world. It plays with the concept of characters coming to life and interacting with their creators and audience. This metafictional aspect added a fun depth to the storytelling.
The movie also delivers thrilling and over-the-top action sequences and pays homage to classic action movies while also subverting expectations and providing unexpected twists. It offers a mix of wild stunts, explosions, and witty dialogue.
Last Action Hero also offers a cultural commentary that touches on themes such as the power of imagination, the influence of media on society, and the escapism provided by movies.
Check out the original trailer below!