🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Craig R. Baxley
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Release year: 1988
- Runtime (length): 1h 36min
- IMDb rating: 5.6/10 (13k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 21%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A Detroit cop with a cool nickname makes a rich guy’s life difficult by existing, leading to explosions and a mild critique of capitalism.
🍿 Action Jackson: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Jericho ‘Action’ Jackson
Jericho ‘Action’ Jackson is a Detroit police sergeant, formerly a lieutenant, demoted after a violent encounter with Sean Dellaplane, a rapist and the son of powerful auto magnate Peter Dellaplane. This incident establishes the central conflict and Jackson’s reputation as a cop who doesn’t play by the rules. His demotion reflects the price he pays for his methods, setting the stage for his quest to bring down Peter Dellaplane.

Dellaplane’s Criminal Enterprise
Peter Dellaplane engages in a series of murders targeting local officials from the auto workers’ union, seeking to consolidate power and influence the next presidential election. He uses a team of assassins to eliminate his rivals. This illegal activity attracts Jackson’s attention, leading him to suspect Dellaplane’s involvement and initiating a pursuit to expose his crimes.

Framing Action Jackson
Dellaplane escalates the conflict by murdering his wife, Patrice, and framing Jackson for the crime, planting her body in Jackson’s apartment. This sets Jackson on the run while simultaneously fueling his determination to prove his innocence and expose Dellaplane. This act is designed to neutralize Jackson, but instead, it intensifies Jackson’s resolve to bring Dellaplane to justice.

Sydney Ash’s Alliance
Jackson enlists the help of Sydney Ash, Dellaplane’s drug-addicted mistress. She provides insider information and assistance in exchange for protection and a way out of her dangerous situation. Sydney’s involvement offers Jackson a crucial ally and access to Dellaplane’s inner circle, aiding him in uncovering the full extent of Dellaplane’s criminal activities.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Det. Jericho Jackson (Carl Weathers): A tough Detroit cop, nicknamed ‘Action’ Jackson, seeks vengeance against a powerful auto magnate who framed him.
- Peter Dellaplane (Craig T. Nelson): A power-hungry auto magnate and the main antagonist, who eliminates his competition and frames Action Jackson.
- Sydney Ash (Vanity): Dellaplane’s drug-addicted mistress who ultimately helps Jackson bring him down.
- Patrice Dellaplane (Sharon Stone): Peter Dellaplane’s wife, who is murdered by him and her body is planted in Jackson’s apartment.
- Capt. Earl Armbruster (Bill Duke): Jackson’s police captain, who is frustrated by Jackson’s rule-breaking but supports him.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Det. Jericho Jackson: “He had a spare.” – Action Jackson says this after being questioned about tearing off a man’s arm, matter-of-factly implying the victim had another.
- Officer Kornblau: “It was a regular fuck-o-rama at my place last night.” – Kornblau says this during a police briefing, showcasing the film’s crude humor.
- Det. Jericho Jackson: “How do you like your ribs?” – Action Jackson says this after throwing a man onto a barbecue grill.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $7,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $20,256,975
- Worldwide Gross: $20,256,975
💥 Action Jackson Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so Action Jackson isn’t winning any awards, but it’s pure 80s fun. Carl Weathers is awesome, and Craig T. Nelson is perfectly slimy as the villain. The stunts are over-the-top, and the one-liners are so bad they’re good. I remember watching this on VHS as a kid and being blown away by the action scenes; seeing the car jump up the stairs was mindblowing. It’s a great movie to watch when you just want to turn your brain off and enjoy some cheesy action.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of 1980s action movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy blaxploitation-inspired films”
- “Those looking for over-the-top action sequences”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Drug use”
- “Nudity”
- “Strong language”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Action Jackson is a competently standard showcase for Carl Weathers’ superhero cool. The picture contains fun, lots of action, and two sexy women. One must give credit to Carl Weathers whose erect muscular body and his charm and good looks give some credence to the heroics.
- AllMovie: “When I saw this movie back in 1988, I thought then & think now that it was one of the most action packed movies for this genre. Carl Weathers plays a likable cop that goes after an unscrupulous high-end car manufacturer. The action and laughs are nonstop. If you love dumb 80s big budget action, this is a must see.
- Timeout: “This movie is an overlooked action classic that lives up to its name. As awesome as 80’s cinema was, black action heroes were scarce. Opposite Carl Weathers is Craig T Nelson as auto tycoon Peter Dellaplane, who brings his A game here as an excellent villain.
Audience Reactions
The action sequences are insane and totally worth watching.: Fans love the over-the-top action and Carl Weathers’ charismatic performance.
Craig T. Nelson makes a wonderfully despicable villain.: Viewers appreciate the film’s blend of action and humor, with a notable performance from Craig T. Nelson.
Overall Consensus: Action Jackson is a fun, if cheesy, 80s action flick that delivers on its promise of over-the-top action and memorable characters.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Carl Weathers conceived the idea for ‘Action Jackson’ while filming ‘Predator’ (1987). He discussed his fondness for 1970s blaxploitation films with producer Joel Silver, leading to the development of this project.”
- “The film’s title originated from an Australian crew member on ‘Predator’ who expressed interest in the project by saying, ‘I’m in like Action Jackson.'”
🖥️ How to Watch Action Jackson?
As of October 2024, ‘Action Jackson’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as options may vary.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Action Jackson, you might like these similar films:
- Lethal Weapon (1987): Features a similar buddy cop action formula with intense action sequences and humor.
- Beverly Hills Cop (1984): Shares the theme of a maverick cop operating outside the rules to bring down a powerful criminal.
- Shaft (1971): A classic example of the blaxploitation genre that influenced Action Jackson, featuring a tough, street-smart black detective.
- Bad Boys (1995): Modern action film with buddy cop dynamic and over-the-top action sequences reminiscent of Action Jackson.
🛒 Action Jackson Related Products
- Action Jackson Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original theatrical poster. A perfect way to show off your love for this 80s action classic!
- Action Jackson T-Shirt: Show your love for Jericho ‘Action’ Jackson with this stylish T-shirt! Featuring iconic imagery from the film.
- Predator (Blu-ray): Watch Carl Weathers in one of his best roles in the classic movie Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger!
- Rocky IV [Blu-ray]: Watch Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed in one of his most iconic roles in the Rocky series. Relive the excitement of the battle with Drago.
🎧 Soundtrack
Action Jackson features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “He Turned Me Out” – performed by The Pointer Sisters
- “Love Is A Dangerous Game” – performed by Vanity
- “Faraway Eyes” – performed by Bernadette Cooper
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The film was primarily shot in Detroit, Michigan, with notable scenes filmed at the Renaissance Center to capture the city’s atmosphere.
Craig T. Nelson played the main villain, Peter Dellaplane, a powerful and corrupt auto magnate.
‘Action Jackson’ is primarily an action crime thriller with elements of blaxploitation.
Craig R. Baxley directed Action Jackson. He has also worked on Stone Cold and I Come In Peace.
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