February 12, 1988
Action Jackson is a 1988 American action comedy film directed by Craig R. Baxley, starring Carl Weathers, Vanity, Sharon Stoneand Craig T. Nelson. Weathers stars as Jericho "Action" Jackson, a Detroit Police detective investigating a corrupt auto magnate (Nelson). The film was released in the United States by Lorimar Film Entertainment on February 12, 1988. It received mostly negative reviews, but was a minor box office success.
Storyline[]
Detroit Police Department Detective Sergeant Jericho Jackson, known locally as "Action" Jackson, was a celebrated lieutenant in the police force. He had been demoted nearly two years prior, because of a case he headed involving the criminal son of successful businessman Peter Anthony Dellaplane. The fallout over the case also collapsed Jackson's marriage and put the Harvard Law School educated, star athlete and hometown hero at odds with the public. Even after his demotion, Jackson's continued interest leads to conflicts with his commander, Captain Armbruster, but he begins investigating Dellaplane's professional exploits, eventually uncovering a string of murdered trade-union members connected to Dellaplane's company. He discovers Dellaplane is secretly maneuvering into a "behind-the-throne" seat of power, and has been using a group of assassins, The Invisible Men, to murder uncooperative union officials.
Jackson is assisted by Dellaplane's mistress, Sydney Ash, a local lounge singer and heroin addict, whom the businessman has assisted financially. He is eventually framed in the murder of Dellaplane's wife Patrice (who was actually killed by her husband, after her discovery of his plot, and her seeking help from Jackson). On the run from the police, Jackson is helped by friends from his old neighborhood: Kid Sable, a local hotel owner and retired professional boxer and Dee, a lively local hairdresser (and gossip informant) who gives Jackson a way to discreetly get to Dellaplane.
Jackson and Sydney arrange a meeting with Dellaplane's figurehead replacement for the auto union, unaware that The Invisible Men had been tracking them and allowed the meeting so that Dellaplane could confront Jackson face to face. Before he leaves with Sydney in tow, Dellaplane arrogantly reveals the reasoning for his plans and intends to exact it using Jackson as a pawn. He intends to kill Jackson, put one of The Invisible Men in his place, have him kill an important union official, and then have Jackson's charred body discovered after he failed his getaway. Jackson is rescued by Sydney's bodyguard "Big" Edd and the pair battle the Invisible Men assigned to kill him.
Jackson's escape leads to a fight at Dellaplane's mansion during the birthday party for the union leader Dellaplane plans to have assassinated. During the melee, the other members of The Invisible Men are killed by Jackson, Edd, Jackson's old partner Detective Kotterwell, and a rehabilitated young thief named Albert, with help from Kid Sable. However, Dellaplane takes Sydney hostage and hides inside a bedroom in his mansion. Jackson fights his way to the room Dellaplane is holding Sydney in. After a brief standoff, Dellaplane, a trained martial artist, challenges Jackson to hand-to-hand combat. At first Dellaplane has the upper hand, but after ramming Jackson into one of the car windows, an angered Jackson rallies and proceeds to thrash Dellaplane. In desperation, Dellaplane goes for his gun, only for Jackson to seize his own and engage in a crossfire exchange, with Jackson killing Dellaplane and receiving a wound in the shoulder. Captain Armbruster arrives with reinforcements, informs Jackson that he wants a full report on his desk in the morning and reinstates him as a lieutenant. Sydney reveals she plans to go "cold turkey" off of heroin, promising Jackson can have her "on Thanksgiving". Jackson replies, "Can I have you any sooner?" Sydney giggles and the two kiss passionately as the credits start.
Sound Effects Used[]
- Ben Burtt Punching Sounds
- Hollywoodedge, Beeps Digital Multi PE261302
- Hollywoodedge, Cannon Mortar Shot PE1094602/SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 02
- PARAMOUNT PISTOL SHOT 01
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 01
- SKYWALKER GLASS, SMASH - LARGE WINDOW CRASH 02
- TECHNICOLOR EXPLOSION 01
- TECHNICOLOR GLASS SHATTER 01
- TECHNICOLOR GLASS SHATTER 02
Image Gallery[]