Last Action Hero (1993)

With the help of a magic ticket, a young movie fan is transported into the fictional world of his favorite action movie character.

Director:

John McTiernan

Writers:

Zak Penn (story), Adam Leff (story)

Stars:

Arnold Schwarzenegger, F. Murray Abraham, Art Carney

1 win & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Arnold Schwarzenegger	...	Jack Slater
F. Murray Abraham	...	John Practice
Art Carney	...	Frank
Charles Dance	...	Benedict
Frank McRae	...	Dekker
Tom Noonan	...	Ripper
Robert Prosky	...	Nick
Anthony Quinn	...	Vivaldi
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Mom
Austin O'Brien	...	Danny
Ian McKellen	...	Death (as Sir Ian McKellan)
Professor Toru Tanaka	...	Tough Asian Man
Joan Plowright	...	Teacher
Keith Barish	...	Keith Barish
Jim Belushi	...	James Belushi

Storyline

Young Danny Madigan is a huge fan of Jack Slater, a larger-than-life action hero played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. When his best friend, Nick the projectionist, gives him a magic ticket to the newest Jack Slater movie, Danny is transported into Slater's world, his number one hero where the good guys always win. It's a dream come true for Danny, but things take a turn for the worse when one of Slater's enemies, Benedict the hit man, gets ahold of the ticket and ends up in Danny's world. Slater and Danny must join forces and travel back and stop him at all costs before it'll be the end of Jack Slater.

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Plot Keywords:

villain | taxi | funeral | video store | child drives a car | 

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Taglines:

The big ticket of '93.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for strong action sequences

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tori Spelling had a cameo as herself but it was eventually left on the cutting room floor.

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Goofs

When Slater throws the body over the edge at the funeral, he clearly throws it onto the flower bed right behind him.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dekker: This is one hell of a way to spend Christmas.

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Crazy Credits

The only opening credits in this film are the ones for "Jack Slater IV".

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Alternate Versions

The ITV premiere was heavily cut (presumably to fit a two hour schedule); from entire scenes including the burglar at Danny's house and subsequent police station scene to minor cuts to violence such as Arnold kicking a SWAT member in the testicles.

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Connections

Referenced in Screaming in High Heels: The Rise & Fall of the Scream Queen Era (2011)

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Soundtracks

Last Action Hero
Written by Frank Hannon, Jeff Keith, Tommy Skeoch and Brian Wheat
Produced and Performed by Tesla
Courtesy of Geffen Records

User Reviews

Underrated and needs a reappreciation

This movie came when Arnie was at the height of his career and popularity. However Last Action Hero not only bombed at the box office it was a critical misery as well. However the film is being rediscovered and some have even asked for it to be reconsidered as if not a highly good satire, then at the very least a fun enjoyable charming film of the early 90s. Admittedly, this is not a good action film. Given its billing, director, and title, that's a surprise. On the other hand, Last Action Hero works as an unexpectedly witty comedy.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 June 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Extremely Violent

Filming Locations:

Empire State Building - 350 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$85,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,338,241, 20 June 1993

Gross USA:

$50,016,394

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$137,298,489

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Oak Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) SDDS (8 channels) (35 mm prints) Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1