In 1988, the head of the action family Sylvester Stallone released (Rambo III). His archenemy Arnold Schwarzenegger made (Red Heat), and the comedy (Twins). The third, yet less rich, brother Van Damme gave us (Black Eagle) & (Bloodsport). The family's black sheep Chuck Norris gave us (Hero and the Terror) & (Braddock: Missing in Action III). The funny cousin of Hong Kong Jackie Chan released both (Police Story 2) & (Dragons Forever). The godfather Eastwood presented (The Dead Pool). And the family's old uncles Danny Glover and Gene Hackman made (Bat 21). Boy! That brings back a whole lot of memories!
Also there was a room for newcomers who dazzled us to frustrate us sometimes later: Bruce Willis in (Die Hard), or dazzled us to frustrate us very: Steven Seagal in (Above the Law), or ones who didn't dazzle us at all: Mark Harmon in (The Presidio)!
During 15 years after (Shaft - 1973), we didn't run into black action hero much. Eddie Murphy was a revival in (Beverly Hills Cop), but sorry, he was just Axel Foley (or Folly!). In 1988, we had "Sonny Spoon" a TV show starring Mario Van Peebles. Yet, it was no Shaft either. Till (Action Jackson) came. Yes, (Carl Weathers) isn't one of the luckiest action heroes, but here he assured that he's one of the finest. And this movie is not the top of the top, but surely the top of the elite B-movies of the 1980s.
It got the case's usual: The man's man police detective, inspector, lieutenant,.. whatever (did it ever really matter?!!) + His cooperative or uncooperative, mostly black, chief + A relief of a sidekick (sometimes) + One violent, totally crazy, bad guy (every time!) + 2 chicks (one dies, one stays; like all the Bond movies) + all the good old stereotypes + the continuous action + the must BIG finish = the good cop-in-mad-city movie; Dirty Harry's next level; the modern maverick cowboy in the new wild west.
You'd be so wrong if you waited for deep characterization, arguable moral choices, or serious issues (racism maybe!), as that's the ultimate blah in the great nonsense that these movies are. (Action Jackson) is classic at being formulaic, episodic, and so hot also. Wickedly it gives you no time to rest by making (or making up) situation after another where the hero got to face a problem and hit some enemies anyway. Look at this series of unfortunate events and characters: a huge bodyguard, exploded flat, humans' cutters, noisy drug dealer, idiot police officers, jumping off a window, then threatening a girl by speeding a car to a wall, and there is a car that ascends stairs to the doorstep of the evil man in the nick of time; that - in specific - was beautifully wild and put Mr. Bond's stuff to complete shame!
(Weathers) not only got muscles, but charisma and wit. The supporting characters and actors were smart. I loved how drugs were shown as a good way to die, not a good way to live (as it is shown in today's cinema and TV!). The movie's elements pulled off a masterful action, funny atmosphere, making every moment bright, explosive and stunning, materializing "humid" perfectly; look how when Jackson doesn't wear a red shirt, he wears red tie!
Though, how the bad guy didn't know about the surviving Jackson? How he didn't notice him at the end party? And originally how Vanity's bodyguard knew about her place? But Naaa. The question to be asked is How to think in front of all of this?! It's just an amusing time for any brain that wants to get rest. What I did hate was the nudity and the bad language. I believe they degenerate movies, and their viewers as well.
After more than 20 years, still this movie isn't dated. Rather many of the action movies nowadays are! In fact, if it was made today, then we'd have: The lead, his girl, the bad guys all got to know Kung Fu, being hanged with flying wires all the time. After a lead who's a cross between (Dirty Harry) and (Bond), we'll have one who's a cross between (Bond) and (Superman)! Extra hyperbole and violence. The plot twist (at least one!). A soundtrack crammed with rap. With non-stop boring unnecessary CGI during everything; the explosions, the car chases, and maybe the backgrounds too. And don't forget the music video, the DVD with the deleted scenes. Plus the assured parody after nearly a month of the release. And a low-budget sequel, with another lead (a la xXx, and The Punisher!).
(Action Jackson) is pure brainless Hollywood fare, in above-average way. And along with it, 1988 got some classic action movies: (Shoot to Kill). Comedies (Switching Channels), (Without a Clue), (Big Business), (Beetlejuice). Action comedies (Who Framed Roger Rabbit), (The Naked Gun), (Short Circuit 2). Or drama (Stand and Deliver), (Rain Man). Well, that's partly why 1988 is personally one of my favorite years, and why the whole 1980s is cinematically one of the greatest decades.
Also there was a room for newcomers who dazzled us to frustrate us sometimes later: Bruce Willis in (Die Hard), or dazzled us to frustrate us very: Steven Seagal in (Above the Law), or ones who didn't dazzle us at all: Mark Harmon in (The Presidio)!
During 15 years after (Shaft - 1973), we didn't run into black action hero much. Eddie Murphy was a revival in (Beverly Hills Cop), but sorry, he was just Axel Foley (or Folly!). In 1988, we had "Sonny Spoon" a TV show starring Mario Van Peebles. Yet, it was no Shaft either. Till (Action Jackson) came. Yes, (Carl Weathers) isn't one of the luckiest action heroes, but here he assured that he's one of the finest. And this movie is not the top of the top, but surely the top of the elite B-movies of the 1980s.
It got the case's usual: The man's man police detective, inspector, lieutenant,.. whatever (did it ever really matter?!!) + His cooperative or uncooperative, mostly black, chief + A relief of a sidekick (sometimes) + One violent, totally crazy, bad guy (every time!) + 2 chicks (one dies, one stays; like all the Bond movies) + all the good old stereotypes + the continuous action + the must BIG finish = the good cop-in-mad-city movie; Dirty Harry's next level; the modern maverick cowboy in the new wild west.
You'd be so wrong if you waited for deep characterization, arguable moral choices, or serious issues (racism maybe!), as that's the ultimate blah in the great nonsense that these movies are. (Action Jackson) is classic at being formulaic, episodic, and so hot also. Wickedly it gives you no time to rest by making (or making up) situation after another where the hero got to face a problem and hit some enemies anyway. Look at this series of unfortunate events and characters: a huge bodyguard, exploded flat, humans' cutters, noisy drug dealer, idiot police officers, jumping off a window, then threatening a girl by speeding a car to a wall, and there is a car that ascends stairs to the doorstep of the evil man in the nick of time; that - in specific - was beautifully wild and put Mr. Bond's stuff to complete shame!
(Weathers) not only got muscles, but charisma and wit. The supporting characters and actors were smart. I loved how drugs were shown as a good way to die, not a good way to live (as it is shown in today's cinema and TV!). The movie's elements pulled off a masterful action, funny atmosphere, making every moment bright, explosive and stunning, materializing "humid" perfectly; look how when Jackson doesn't wear a red shirt, he wears red tie!
Though, how the bad guy didn't know about the surviving Jackson? How he didn't notice him at the end party? And originally how Vanity's bodyguard knew about her place? But Naaa. The question to be asked is How to think in front of all of this?! It's just an amusing time for any brain that wants to get rest. What I did hate was the nudity and the bad language. I believe they degenerate movies, and their viewers as well.
After more than 20 years, still this movie isn't dated. Rather many of the action movies nowadays are! In fact, if it was made today, then we'd have: The lead, his girl, the bad guys all got to know Kung Fu, being hanged with flying wires all the time. After a lead who's a cross between (Dirty Harry) and (Bond), we'll have one who's a cross between (Bond) and (Superman)! Extra hyperbole and violence. The plot twist (at least one!). A soundtrack crammed with rap. With non-stop boring unnecessary CGI during everything; the explosions, the car chases, and maybe the backgrounds too. And don't forget the music video, the DVD with the deleted scenes. Plus the assured parody after nearly a month of the release. And a low-budget sequel, with another lead (a la xXx, and The Punisher!).
(Action Jackson) is pure brainless Hollywood fare, in above-average way. And along with it, 1988 got some classic action movies: (Shoot to Kill). Comedies (Switching Channels), (Without a Clue), (Big Business), (Beetlejuice). Action comedies (Who Framed Roger Rabbit), (The Naked Gun), (Short Circuit 2). Or drama (Stand and Deliver), (Rain Man). Well, that's partly why 1988 is personally one of my favorite years, and why the whole 1980s is cinematically one of the greatest decades.