Last Action Hero

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1993 film Last Action Hero has never been considered one of the most beloved of the actor’s work. Centring around Danny Megan (Austin O’Brien) who with the help of magical movie ticket gets transported into the fictional film world of his favourite action hero Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger) the film gained mixture reviews from critics upon its release. However Last Action Hero is more than just a stereotypical parody film and is more of an introspective look upon the 80s action movie genre.

The first scene we are shown is a stereotypical parody of an 80s action film only for the shot to pan out showcasing the film being played in a cinema. This showcases the artificiality of film and how this is ultimately a parody and satire of 80s action movies as well as a self-reflective look at the films of Arnold Schwarzenegger. We are then shown Danny imagining Jack Slater in the film Hamlet. This further showcases the artificiality of the 80’s action film as Last Action Hero parodies and satirises the absurdity of the genre which is clear with its casting of Arnold Schwarzenegger an actor known for cheesy over-the-top 80s action films. Danny then goes to a midnight screening of Slater’s new film with a magical golden ticket given to him by Hank theatre attendance projectionist he has befriended. The over the top villains further shows the artificiality and parody like nature of the film with the cards wired up to the bomb and the cop dying two days from retirement. The film is very much aware of the artificiality of its creation and uses parody and satire to show the artificiality of the world of 80s action films.

Danny gets sucked into the world of the film. Last Action Hero acts as a post-modern deconstruction of 80s action films as the real and fake worlds merging showcasing the artificiality of the movie’s existence and the artificiality of film in general. This is further showcased by the over-the-top car chase sequence and the fact that they survive a ludicrous stunt merely because they are the good guys further showcasing the artificiality of the universe as a satire of 80s action films. During the chase scene Jack performs a mover that makes the bad guy crash into a glass window through a building where it explodes on impact, this showcases the artificiality of the film as a vehicle for parody and satire. The colourful characters throughout the police station further showcases the artificiality as of the film is a satirical look upon the action movie genre. In this police station policeman teamed up with comedic sidekicks further showcasing the films artificiality as a satire of the 80s action movie genre which is further reinforced by tropes such as the boss yelling at Jack in a coherent way and a cartoon character as one of the comedy sidekicks From this we get the setup of a stereotypical 80s action cop buddy movie with Danny and Jack. Within this world Arnold Schwarzenegger does not exist as highlighted by the joke of Sylvester Stallone in Terminator Two. This use of parody and satire further showcases the artificiality of the movie is further showcased with the dogs forming into the pyramid.

Within the film the characters of Danny and Jack’s son intertwine as we are further showing the over-the-top nature of the film with the villains holding Danny and Jacks daughter hostage showcasing the movies artificiality. The way Jack Slaters daughter suddenly knows martial arts shows that within the film the characters are very much actors as the action scenes showcases the artificiality of the film. The idea of Jack not dying from a shotgun blast used a bullet-proof vest showcases the artificiality of the film complete with an over-the-top 80s cheesy action sequence of him jumping as the window and into the car to chase them. Within the film Danny uses the medium to live out his fantasy as a badass 80s action movie psychic however this is all subverted through the satire highlighting the comedy of the situation. The villain with multiple glass eyes further showcases the artificial satire of 80s action movies, with the eye being a trigger for a bomb making the house explode killing them all except the main heroes. This is then followed by the black policeman dying who only had two days until retirement. This again showcases the parody over-the-top nature and overall satire of the movie showcasing the artificiality of 80s action films.

When they get to Slater’s apartment, he already knows there is a guy hiding his wardrobe and shoots him, again this scene showcases the artificiality of film as Last Action Hero is a self-reflective look at the 80s action movie star. This is further showcased by a plot involving nerve gas inside of a corpse a typical setup of a cheesy 80s action movie as well as scenes such as multiple guns in the glove compartment further showcasing the parody nature of the film. In the film Danny is ultimately a kid playing the role of action movie star as he is captured at gunpoint only to break free with a key that is conveniently in his pocket showcasing the artificiality of the film, which is again showcased when Jack and Danny are saved by the cartoon cat detective Whiskers and how in Jack’s mind everything works within the confines of the artificiality of film as he asks Danny to get the crane to the top of the building further highlighting the fact that it is mind only works within an artificial construct of reality.

It turns out Danny knows how to drive crane due to the artificiality of the film as he accepts his role as the comedy sidekick. This artificiality is further shown as Jack tricks everyone at the funeral by shouting “elephant” as the large gathering reveals a mass number of guns before the crane knocks over like bowling pins. During the fight scene all the guns that fire at Jack and miss showing the artificiality of the film which is further indicated when he ducks in the garden trying not to be taken out by the helicopter. This artificiality is also showcased when Danny operates a crane and Jack shoots down the helicopter and wipes the tar off him with ease with Witney his daughter bringing the car around further showcasing the artificiality. Artificiality is shown throughout the film such as Benedict addressing the audience directly and Slater ramming a monster truck through the walls of his mansion.

Jack and Danny then go through the screen via the ticket and end up in the real world to chase after Benedict. In this we see the real and fictional world colliding creating a metanarrative throughout the film. Elements such as the real bullets confuse Jack showcasing the real world juxtaposed to the movies artificiality demonstrated by Jack hurting his hand when he smashes through a car window as the real world does not function like an 80s action movie. It is in this moment where Slater has an existential crisis when he sees a poster saying Arnold Schwarzenegger as Jack Slater. This showcases the artificiality of his own existence creating an existentialism with his character, and like Hamlet Jack faces his own existential crisis. This existentialism continues as Slater struggles with his own existence questioning his own reality realising that he himself is not real.

This is juxtaposed with Benedict being transported to the real world. Unlike Jack, Benedict acts with a sense of reverence and joy, as he can play God acting out his villainous tendencies in the real world which has real life consequences such as people dying. The film showcases the depressing reality of the 80s action star as killing and death are all they know, with Jack talking to Danny’s mother it showcases that it is enjoyable for him to have a normal life and he misses out on the everyday existence due to him being subjected to a forced destiny to continuous be the action star. In Last Action Hero, we are showing a real-life bad guy take over as the villain recruits other villains from fiction showcasing the power film. Jack rebels against his reality as the villains decide to kill Arnold Schwarzenegger to kill Slater showcasing the villains as affecting both the real world and the fictional one. However, despite this real-world threat the artificiality is still shown with society not taking it seriously with interview with the real Ripper who they think is fictional. The film further showcases the existentialism of Jack Slater as he hates the idea of being a fictionalised character, blinded by the media like a lot of real-life celebrity action stars he ends up hating his own existence.

The climax of the film revolves around a reincorporation of a movie scene at the beginning of the film only this time with real-world consequences as The Ripper holds Danny hostage. Jack kills The Ripper by cutting down the wires on the wet floor electrocuting him using the artificial of film to save the day showcasing the power of cinema. In Jack saving Danny he becomes the real-life 80s action movie hero as well as acting as a kind of redemption for the death of his son. With the villains plan of getting the biggest movie villains together to take over the world the film showcases the true nightmare of these villains as they become characters beyond the screen they merge into the real world as a genuine terrifying threat. As Slater kills Benedict the film showcases the power of cinema however, with the ticket gone a double edge sword arises as he is now trapped in the hell of reality. When the ticket falls on the ground causing the Grim Reaper from The Seventh Seal to come through the screen the film showcases the power of cinema is something amazing but also how it can be used as a weapon is something to fear, as we are shown the real-life consequences of the action movie with Slater dying in an ambulance.

In the climax of the film they fire up the projector and get Slater back to his world. Last action hero is a film that is ultimately about the power of cinema and its ability to affect people whilst also showing how people in the real world can affect you in just the same way. As the magic ticket works and Slater goes back to his world it is shown that he has taught Danny how to live his life for himself and that although he has his own life to live he can always see him in the movies.

Last action hero showcases both the power of cinema but also how we must not forget the real world and our lives but ultimately how movies can inspire us to do just that and live our lives to the fullest, it is a film celebrating the magic of movies their power and influence to change people’s lives.