Well, here's another overused idea: crossing dimensions into the movies. Last Action Hero takes a look at action movies, summarizes the stereotypes, and pokes fun at all of them. Danny Madigan (Austin O'Brien) is a child with few/no friends and spends most of his time at the movies with the old projectionist at the Loew's theater, Nick (Robert Prosky). They're both huge fans of the action series called Jack Slater, and the fourth installment is coming out in the next few days. Nick has gotten his hands on a special preview copy, and invites Danny to join him in a private screening. Of course, Danny is ecstatic to have this opportunity, and meets Nick in a very formally-run secret meeting. Before going to their seats, Nick presents an ancient ticket given to him by the great magician Harry Houdini, who claimed that it was a magical ticket with mysterious and great power. Nick had never used the ticket, and decides that now is the perfect time to see if Houdini was bluffing. Once the ticket is torn and the movie begins, Danny finds that Houdini was as genuine as ever as a stick of dynamite flies into the theater and he finds himself in the car of the main character, Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger), during a chase scene! With his knowledge of the Jack Slater series, Danny knows more about Jack and the other characters than they do themselves. This may be an advantage to them, but the way Danny seems convinced that he's living in a movie causes them to think he's just a crazy stalker or something. Will Danny be able to help Jack save the day from the gangster Tony Vivaldi (Anthony Quinn) and his assistant, Benedict (Charles Dance)? Is there a way out from this hectic world after Danny's ticket is stolen? Or is that the least of his problems? I would suggest renting this movie; it's funny, clever, and fairly violent, but not worth seeing more than once. You should see this movie, though.
