Last Action Hero (1993)
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38% of critics liked it
(40 reviews) -
43% of users liked it
(176,781 ratings)
Arnold Schwarzenegger appears as a pumped-up Shakespearian hero while an announcer bellows, "Something is rotten in Denmark -- and Hamlet is taking out the trash!" This gag sets the stage for the post-modernist action epic The Last Action Hero. The film concerns Danny Madigan (Austin… More Arnold Schwarzenegger appears as a pumped-up Shakespearian hero while an announcer bellows, "Something is rotten in Denmark -- and Hamlet is taking out the trash!" This gag sets the stage for the post-modernist action epic The Last Action Hero. The film concerns Danny Madigan (Austin O'Brien), a lonely eleven-year-old boy who escapes from his bleak New York City reality by glorying in the action adventure movies of his favorite film character, Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Danny's friend is an elderly movie projectionist, Nick (Robert Prosky), who lets Danny into the shabby Times Square movie theater where he works so Danny can see Slater's new movie. He hands Danny a magic ticket given to him years ago by Houdini, and when Nick rips the ticket and gives Danny the stub, Danny finds himself catapulted from the theater into the back seat of Slater's speeding sports car in "Jack Slater IV." Danny becomes Slater's helper as Jack battles a trio of nefarious bad guys --Benedict (Charles Dance), Vivaldi (Anthony Quinn) and The Ripper (Tom Noonan). But things get out of hand when Benedict steals Danny's magic ticket stub and transports himself into Danny's reality. Benedict and The Ripper proceed to wreak havoc along Broadway, forcing Slater to cross into reality to get the villains and, in the process, learn about blood and pain. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- John McTiernan
- Written By
- Shane Black, William Goldman, Zak Penn
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 18, 1993 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
There is a lot of action in Last Action Hero, but the underlying story never ever quite works.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
The pulse-pounding, sizzling pull of a Die Hard is absent.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Even if this intermixing of kid fantasy and adult shoot'em-up, Hollywood insider jokes and cheap Arnold puns, doesn't completely bowl you over, it's clever and intriguing.
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Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Feels like a farewell, of sorts, to Arnold.
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Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media
Arnold spoofs action movies, adds more violence.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Arnold Schwarzenegger
as Sergeant Jack Slater
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Austin O'Brien
as Danny Madigan
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F Murray Abraham
as John Practice
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Art Carney
as Frank
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Frank McRae
as Dekker
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Anthony Quinn
as Tony Vivaldi
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Charles Dance
as Benedict
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Tom Noonan
as Ripper
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Robert Prosky
as Nick
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Mercedes Ruehl
as Mom
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Ian McKellen
as Death
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Prof. Toru Tanaka
as Tough Asian Man
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Joan Plowright
as Teacher
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Noah Emmerich
as Rookie
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Tina Turner
as The Mayor
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Bridgette Wilson
as Whitney/Meredith
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Robert Patrick
as T-1000 (uncredited)
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Sharon Stone
as Catherine Tramell
- Adam Ant
- Morgan Brittany
- James Cameron
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Colleen Camp
as Ratcliff
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Michael Chieffo
as Monroe
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Timothy Dalton
as Himself [uncredited]
- Tony Danza
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Danny DeVito
as Whiskers
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Nick Dimitri
as Doctor Funeral
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Rick Ducommun
as Ripper's Agent
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John Finnegan
as Watch Commander
- Edward Furlong
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Michael Vincente Gazzo
as Torelli
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Billy Lucas
as SWAT Cop
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John McTiernan Sr.
as Cigar Stand Man
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Mike Muscat
as Cop in Los Angeles Station
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Sven Ole Thorsen
as Gunman
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Anthony Peck
as Cop at Ex-Wife's House
- Tori Spelling
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Ryan Todd
as Andrew Slater
- Tony Curtis
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Anna Navarro
as Cop in Station
- Jane Jenkins
- Janet Hirshenson
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Angie Everhart
as Video Babe
- Christopher Connelly

