Action Point

Among the slapstick comedies that exist, the unique oddity that stands out are those produced from the series known as "Jackass". It's a long forgotten type that's been around since its debut on MTV in the early 2000s that featured a series of physical skits and pranks performed by stunt men with harsh, gross, and extreme results. Surprisingly enough, they managed to produce three theatrical projects without a story connecting anything (Jackass 1,2,3), two direct to dvd flicks (Jackass 1.5 and 2.5), and one modern release that had a plot excuse to allow the stunts to occur (Bad Grandpa). One of these famous stunt actors is Johnny Knoxville who's at it again with the latest project, Action Point. The marketing campaign didn't seem to do the film any favors and could have been keeping the best jokes out of the advertisements. Having needed a break from the action sci-fi from May and wanting to revisit an old acquaintance from the past, I went to an advanced screening of Action Point to see if it had the potential to become a guilty pleasure for its fanbase and left the auditorium somewhat underwhelmed but not without a few chuckles.

Plot: The story follows an owner of a low quality amusement park who endeavors to make it more enticing for the public in order to save it from an corporate executive while mending his relationship with his daughter. The inspiration for such a premise comes from Action Park, a theme park from New Jersey that debuted in 1978 that was infamous poorly designed, unsafe rides and staff members that were underage, untrained, and under-the-influecne. One thing to note is that plenty of obvious Adam Sandler cliched humor is found here such as the running gag of someone getting punched in the groin and the pretentious corporate executive who's in competition with our protagonist. The plot itself is rather predictable and dull, which is an issue since most of the runtime is dedicated to it with small portions of it reserved for the stunts and jokes that are hit or miss. That's a poor choice since the franchise this is part of doesn't have strengths in storytelling and is somewhat attempting it instead of sticking to their trademarks.

There's a sense that the film wants to aim to the standard of gross its audience wants but it never really achieves it since the lead actor is too old to be capable of doing so and keeps things rather tame. While most of the gags are stale and miss most of the time, there are a handful of them where it looked like there was actual effort put into something that should have been the forefront instead of being benched. In addition to that, the narrative structure uses the troupe of presenting the story through the recollection of the older version of the lead in the present time to their grandchild and whenever it comes back to it, the quality of the film gets worse in those segments by predictable physical gags that don't land. The best way they could have handled all of this would have been to focus less on the story, with more stunts involving younger actors who are physically capable of pulling them off, reducing the returning to the present day, and putting the lead actor in a behind the scenes position to let someone bring new energy this comedy desperately needed instead of feeling like its on auto-pilot.

Characters: The lead to focus on is D.C. (Johnny Knoxville), an eccentric owner who resorts to crazy methods to make his establishment more of a wild ride for summer guests. Johnny is giving a serviceable performance in this leading role and he's having fun in his antics. However, it would have been better if he was behind the camera and casted someone else with better comedic range. A dishonorable mention goes to Boogie (Eleanor Worthington Cox) for not only her lack of chemistry with the leading man but for her somewhat phoned in performance half of the time. An honorable mention goes to Benny (Chris Pontius) for having some of the funniest jokes and being the most bizarre staff member in the amusement parks misfits.

Similar Recommendation to watch instead:

• Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013): The elements from Action Point that could have worked are actually much better in this bizarre hidden camera comedy that surprised its audience. It follows a recently widowed grandfather who ends up taking his grandson on a trip to bring him to his estranged father after his mother ends up in jail. This does a solid job in keeping its narrative simple and limited enough in order to let the actors do the wildest things that are odd to see an old man do in public (or at least Johnny Knoxville in great elderly makeup). The gags utilized here are over-the-top and crazy to the point of being hilarious and awkward to watch at times. The chemistry between Knoxville and Jackson Nicoll is entertaining to watch in how they interact with one another. The crazy nature this possesses when it stuck to its strengths regardless of its weak points make this a guilty pleasure classic. ⭑⭑⭑

Overall Consensus: The potential for Action Point to become another guilty pleasure is squandered by focusing on predictable dull storytelling instead of creative raunchy stunts the franchise is known for. ⭑⭑💻 Runtime: 1 hour 24 minutes R

Reasons to watch it: You like any of the aforementioned actors. You enjoy seeing 1970s story settings. You are a fan of the Jackass franchise as a guilty pleasure. You don't mind disgusting sight gags.

Reasons to avoid it: You dislike any of the aforementioned actors. You hate 1970s story settings that take place during the. You hate the Jackass franchise. You are sensitive to disgusting sight gags.

Coming up next: June is off to a shaky start with the inconsistent and dull nature from Action Point. However, the month is just getting started and things seem to be looking unique and creative for the next entry. Tune in next time as Screening Spectacles will be reviewing a new bold sci-fi film that has a low budget but something clever going for it as we take a trip the near future with Upgrade!!!