Lightning Jack (1994)

6% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(11,908 ratings)

In this humorous Western, Aussie Paul Hogan plays a cowboy running from the law. Lightning Jack Kane is a member of the notorious Younger Brother gang. He is the only member to survive their last shoot-out. Fortunately, he was only a minor member of the gang and escapes notice. Jack decides to rob a… More In this humorous Western, Aussie Paul Hogan plays a cowboy running from the law. Lightning Jack Kane is a member of the notorious Younger Brother gang. He is the only member to survive their last shoot-out. Fortunately, he was only a minor member of the gang and escapes notice. Jack decides to rob a bank. He gets away with a small amount of cash and a mute, Ben, as a hostage. Unfortunately for Jack, Ben wants to be an outlaw so Jack is stuck with him. Eventually the two become grudging friends. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Simon Wincer
Genres: Western, Television, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 11, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Aug 7, 2001
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady, Variety
A good-natured, if laconic, oater that rides along nicely on the screen persona of writer/actor Paul Hogan.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
The film has no internal comic rhythm to match its faltering sense of humor. Much of the time, it plods along like a mediocre conventional western.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
Lightning Jack feels like a film you might stumble across late at night on the USA Network.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's impossible to dislike Paul Hogan, and almost as hard to like his movies. They're as goodhearted as they are simple-minded.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Hogan should hang up his spurs until a truly original impulse comes along.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Politically incorrect jokes (endlessly) about hearing impaired (Gooding) make for tasteless flick.
, Film4
It's a long slow trek from gag to gag.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The relationship between Ben and Jack never really develops any warmth or resonance, mainly because it seems never to have been thought through.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
A Western for people that hate Westerns.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
This road has been trod a few too many times before.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

Unforgettable, but really silly and nothing recommentable, Lightning Jack presents some not so funny moments that makes a bad film.
Jason O

If you like western or comedy movies, you will probably like "Lightning Jack." Paul Hogan stars as Lightning Jack, a cowboy that is famous for craftily robbing banks. He is one of the most wanted criminals in the country. Cuba Gooding, Jr. is a mute that later tries to team… More
If you like western or comedy movies, you will probably like "Lightning Jack." Paul Hogan stars as Lightning Jack, a cowboy that is famous for craftily robbing banks. He is one of the most wanted criminals in the country. Cuba Gooding, Jr. is a mute that later tries to team up with Lightning Jack and become a successful robber and cowboy in his own right. That's when the movie gets a lot better and more interesting. It will keep you interested throughout the movie so you can find out if Lightning Jack will remain successful at robbing banks across America or if he'll get caught. The movie also has a lot of funny parts that make it even better. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. This was a nice surprise of a movie at the time and wouldn't mind seeing again.
Film C

good film funny
Dean M

Paul Hogan's comedy-western looks a bit unfunny to me since <i>Crocodile Dundee</i> sequels.
James A

I laughed a little and thats because i remembered some funny things from Crocodile Dundee.