Review of Action Jackson (1988) by Jason D — 07 May 2010

Action Jackson is one of those ultra-rare 80's films that makes you wonder why there weren't more sequels to, but then you sit down and really give it a watch...and then you realize why. The film stars underrated 80's macho guy Carl Weathers, a tough Detroit Cop who has been demoted for a year now and stuck behind a desk, that is until his nemesis, rich automobile mogul Craig T.

Nelson (in a relatively awesome villain role) starts rising in popularity as all of his competition suffers violent and mysterious deaths. When a death gets pinned on Jackson as he digs closer into the case, he's forced to up his case-solving skills, utilizing the help of Nelson's mistress (supermodel Vanity).

Sharon Stone shows up in an early role as Nelson's suspicious wife. I think Action Jackson's biggest problem was it's need to tackle every movie genre possible. There's action (of course), comedy, drama, etc.

Also, the scales were way off the charts, as the film would go from being brutally violent and bloody to slapstick-y and goofy. Not a good match. Overall though, it was an amusing film, thanks to it's unintentional hilarity.

I'd also like to point out that the film has just about EVERY 80's character actor in it. I eventually lost count of all the familiar faces! Silly movie, but a little fun, especially whenever watching Nelson's villain character.

Director Craig R. Baxley definitely makes it clear he was just starting out with his craft, but he managed to later go on to direct one of my all-time favorite action films, Stone Cold, and favorite sci-fi films, I Come in Peace.

Good stuff.