On this day, February 12, 1988, Action Jackson premiered in theaters, bringing explosive action and over the top 80s thrills to the big screen. Starring Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, and Sharon Stone, the film became a cult favorite in the action genre.
Weathers played Jericho “Action” Jackson, a tough Detroit cop with a reputation for taking down criminals in the most extreme ways possible. When a powerful businessman, played by Craig T. Nelson, frames him for murder, Jackson has to clear his name while delivering high powered action sequences, insane stunts, and classic one liners.
Though Action Jackson didn’t dominate the box office, it became a fan favorite thanks to Weathers’ charismatic performance, fast paced action, and its place in the golden era of 80s action films.
80s insight: The movie was directed by Craig R. Baxley, a former stunt coordinator who worked on TV’s The A-Team, which explains the over the top stunts and explosive action sequences.