Watch Last Action Hero

Last Action Hero is a 1993 action-comedy directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Jack Slater, an indestructible fictional action hero who battles crime and saves the day in a series of blockbuster movies. The movie also features F. Murray Abraham as John Practice, the antagonist of the movie within the movie, and Art Carney as the projectionist Nick.

The plot of the movie revolves around a young boy named Danny Madigan, played by Austin O'Brien, who is a big fan of Jack Slater movies. Danny is given a magic ticket by Nick, the projectionist at a run-down movie theater. The ticket, according to Nick, can transport Danny into the world of the movie that he chooses to watch. Danny chooses to watch the latest Jack Slater movie and finds himself transported into the world of the movie. He soon realizes that he has inadvertently brought the movie's villain, John Practice, into the real world. Danny tries to convince Jack Slater that he is a fictional character in a movie and that he needs to help him stop John Practice.

The movie is a meta-fictional take on the action movie genre, poking fun at its tropes and clichés. It also highlights the contrast between the real world and the world of movies. The character of Danny is used as a conduit for this exploration. He is a young boy who is disillusioned with the real world and finds escape in fantasy movies. However, he soon realizes that the real world, with all its flaws and imperfections, is worth saving and fighting for.

The movie is also a commentary on Hollywood and the movie industry. It includes several references to the big names of Hollywood, including Danny's own proclamation that he would want to be a movie critic when he grows up, stating that critics are as powerful as the movie stars themselves. The movie also features a caricature of an arrogant and out-of-touch movie producer who claims that he knows what the people want to see.

One of the strengths of the film is Arnold Schwarzenegger's performance as Jack Slater. He plays his character with conviction, and the humor and satire of the film are heightened by his effective delivery. F. Murray Abraham provides a great counterbalance to Schwarzenegger as John Practice, playing the role with a menacing intensity that enhances the film's suspenseful moments.

The movie's action sequences are well choreographed, with some impressive and imaginative stunts. However, the movie's most inventive and memorable moments come from its self-awareness and the way it subverts genre expectations. The film also uses its self-referential humor to great effect, with Danny pointing out the unrealistic nature of movie fights and explosions.

The movie's criticisms were that it wasn't as successful as anticipated. Some reviewers felt that the film did not fully explore its potential as a satire, and that the movie relied too heavily on its flashy action sequences. However, the movie has since gained a cult following, and is often cited as an underrated gem of the 90s.

Overall, Last Action Hero is a silly, entertaining, and knowing take on the action genre. Its self-awareness is refreshing and its performances are fantastic. It is a fun ride for moviegoers who love action movies and can appreciate the film's humor and execution.

Last Action Hero is a 1993 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 44.