A possible reason why this movie hasn't been received well by some people is probably the exact reason why The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) had trouble. It's two genres merging. Action movies are tending to be more and more no-brainer affairs ... people sit and vegetate while watching characters blown apart onscreen. And then there are the "dramas". Movies intended to make people think, and sit on the edge of their seat wondering what plot-twist will occur next, while the writers work to surprise the viewers with every turn. Nobody expected an intelligent action movie ... but that's what happened with both TLKG and The Last Action Hero.
Firstly, the writing is first-class. Shane Black (creator of the Lethal Weapon Characters, and writer of TLKG) et al create a rare situation of a movie-within-a-movie, managing to create what would have been a good action movie AND poke intelligent fun at it at the same time. It's even very witty!
The casting is great, too. Arnold Schwarzenegger actually comes across as witty, which has to be a reason to watch for. And if you don't like that, there are the classy performances of F. Murray Abraham, Charles Dance, and a very good performance by young Austin O'Brien. There are assorted star cameos and movie references! There's even Danny Devito as the voice of a cartoon cat! What more could you want?
The action is great, the special effects are good, and there's even Joan Plowright and Sir Ian McKellen!
It's a movie with action, intelligence, humour AND an important theme! If only more movies could be like this!
Firstly, the writing is first-class. Shane Black (creator of the Lethal Weapon Characters, and writer of TLKG) et al create a rare situation of a movie-within-a-movie, managing to create what would have been a good action movie AND poke intelligent fun at it at the same time. It's even very witty!
The casting is great, too. Arnold Schwarzenegger actually comes across as witty, which has to be a reason to watch for. And if you don't like that, there are the classy performances of F. Murray Abraham, Charles Dance, and a very good performance by young Austin O'Brien. There are assorted star cameos and movie references! There's even Danny Devito as the voice of a cartoon cat! What more could you want?
The action is great, the special effects are good, and there's even Joan Plowright and Sir Ian McKellen!
It's a movie with action, intelligence, humour AND an important theme! If only more movies could be like this!