Millions of years of evolution have lead to the accidental making of this movie,a vast wet tapestry of human relationships through out history connecting each of us to one another, and also this movie. Does stuff get blown up? Stuff does. Is it possible to film a whole movie along one greasy state road in Texas? Oh yes. With poverty being so rampant through out the world is there enough money to make this movie? Again, yes. No starving child was fed so that this movie might dance before your eyes as some flickering light upon a cave wall. A screenplay was purchased with money, and from those words captured in ink, this movie was born. Yes, there is a car chase and yes there is nudity.
16 Reviews
It's not about the script, it's not about the acting .....
merklekranz24 September 2013
"Action U.S.A." is not about the script, it's not about the acting, it's all about the fun factor. With outrageous stunts and quirky dialog, the film delivers definite entertainment value. The story of missing diamonds being pursued by bad guys is so thin it would fit beneath a piece of cardboard. I say ignore the script and concentrate on what's being said. You will be surprised at the clever one liners spewing forth. Stunt work is terrific, with a helicopter flight that is beyond belief. Thespians should avoid "Action U.S.A." like they would a rabid dog. Those seeking a fun film that has action with an attitude should look no further. - MERK
You like stunts? You'll dig this!
udar557 February 2013
If there is ever a film that lives up to its title, it is this one. There is lots of action and it is filmed in the U.S.A. (the title on the clapper in the end credits is A HANDFUL OF TROUBLE). Director John Stewart can't go ten minutes without staging some crazy action scene. It is weird though as his film unfolds almost in reverse as the biggest action scenes take place in the opening twenty minutes. Not that the film's finale is a let down, it just doesn't have the huge explosions and insane car jumps that the first 20 minutes display. You know you are in for a good time when the opening credits list Cameron Mitchell (who was obviously shot separately from everyone else), William Smith and Ross Hagan in succession.
Hilariously Bad, But Packed With Stunts
abbazabakyleman-9883418 January 2020
One of the many cheap action movies to come out in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This film is in the territory for MST3K, but despite the hilarious acting, editing, and camerawork, we are treated to a nice series of car chases with over-the-top stunt work. The story-line follows two FBI agents (very Riggs and Murtaugh-esque) assigned to protect a murdered drug dealer's girlfriend from thugs and run into trouble from every direction. With cheesy performances by Cameron Mitchell, Ross Hagen, Hoke Howell, and William Smith (!), you can't go wrong with this.
Run-of-the-mill 1980s b movie
RHGifs5 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Hammy acting. Car chases. Increasingly larger explosions. Guns that never need to be reloaded. A building toss and helicopter stunt. If you watch these 80s action b movies with any sort of regularity then you've already seen Action USA a hundred times. It doesn't do anything better or worse than any of the others.
Don't get me wrong, it's still fun, mindless entertainment but don't let all of these 10/10 glowing reviews get your hopes up.
Don't get me wrong, it's still fun, mindless entertainment but don't let all of these 10/10 glowing reviews get your hopes up.
Bad oh so bad.
cynet-5233222 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I gave this movie 1 out of 10 because it's so awful to the level it makes The Room movie look more professional.
Two main cop characters are a blatant rip off from Lethal weapon but on a worst level. They lose their client over 5 times and it beggars belief how they keep their jobs as good.
Lady character is just awful and one nobody cares about because she is not likeable.
The acting through out is just plain awful and sound as well as editing is just comical.
Only one positive is that the stunts what makes the movie. Otherwise don't bother!
Two main cop characters are a blatant rip off from Lethal weapon but on a worst level. They lose their client over 5 times and it beggars belief how they keep their jobs as good.
Lady character is just awful and one nobody cares about because she is not likeable.
The acting through out is just plain awful and sound as well as editing is just comical.
Only one positive is that the stunts what makes the movie. Otherwise don't bother!
Action and nothing else
wolfhell8810 November 2001
The directing debut of Stuntmen John Stewart shows 90 minutes fast action and nothing else. Greg Cummings plays one of his rare good guy parts, Barri Murphy looks sexy in almost every scene and in supporting roles B-movies stars like William Smith as corrupt FBI-Boss, Ross Hagen and Hoke Howell as killers make this movie a pleasure for B-action-fans.
I thought I would enjoy this. I was wrong.
iboso645 February 2021
Seeing as it had a 6.1 rating, I figured it might be enjoyable. I love exploitation movies of the 70s and 80s, as well. But you can pretty well bet that these 10/10 reviews talking about "quotable dialogue" and great stunts were all written by friends of the above-the-line cast and crew. (i.e. The director, producers, etc.) There isn't a stunt in here that hasn't been done better in a dozen other movies. The plot is sloppy as all get out, the acting subpar, and the direction... Well, pretty much nonexistent. I'm sure this review will get down-voted, too. Don't fall for it. If you remove all the bogus 8,9,10 votes, you wind up with a far more realistic, but still high IMO, 4.9.
An amazing collection of incredible stunts.
boxcarwilliam30 December 2008
One of the greatest things to ever happen to me, was finding this film, for sale in a crappy video store(called Gruntz), near Atlantic Beach, NC. We picked it up on the way to our weekend at the beach. We watched it once the first night, twice the next day, and another five times in the months since. "Action USA" is not the best movie ever, but it is, hands down, the most awesome! I want to buy the rights to this film, and put it out on DVD, just so other people can see it. The stunts are the best I've ever seen, and they just keep coming.The dialog is even better. You will not believe Ross Hagan's ability to spew the most wicked one-liners, while delivering back-hand slaps.
Well-made car chase movie
lor_12 April 2023
My review was written in June 1989 after watching the movie on Imperial Entertainment video cassette.
"Action U. S. A.", originally called "A Handful of Trouble", is an above-average chase picture headed direct-to-video in American stores this month.
Thi is an excellent example of the type of escapist fun that packed drive-in theaters as recently as a decade ago but is now without a natural home. Title change to a generic moniker reflects the pic's aim toward foreign audiences.
Unusual heroine Barri Murphy (not afraid to the her hair mussed up in the action) stars as Carmen, on the run from gangsters when her boyfriend (Rod Shaft, a good handle for a car-pic thesp) is rubbed out for stealing diamonds and she's a witness.
Chase format involves topnotch stunts, with cars frequently flying through the air and luxury cars demolished. Solid teaming of Gregory Scott Cummins and William Hubbard Knight as a pair of FBI men protecting Murphy adds flesh to the streamlined Texas-lensed opus.
"Action U. S. A.", originally called "A Handful of Trouble", is an above-average chase picture headed direct-to-video in American stores this month.
Thi is an excellent example of the type of escapist fun that packed drive-in theaters as recently as a decade ago but is now without a natural home. Title change to a generic moniker reflects the pic's aim toward foreign audiences.
Unusual heroine Barri Murphy (not afraid to the her hair mussed up in the action) stars as Carmen, on the run from gangsters when her boyfriend (Rod Shaft, a good handle for a car-pic thesp) is rubbed out for stealing diamonds and she's a witness.
Chase format involves topnotch stunts, with cars frequently flying through the air and luxury cars demolished. Solid teaming of Gregory Scott Cummins and William Hubbard Knight as a pair of FBI men protecting Murphy adds flesh to the streamlined Texas-lensed opus.
Movie For The Uneducated
saint_brett17 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I'm a little distracted while watching this movie tonight as a friend from Illinois sent me a surprise goody box in the mail today and I find myself unable to concentrate on 'Action USA' as I want to know what's inside the surprise package instead.
That's either Johnny Cage, or James Marshall, driving that blue Corvette. Blue? A Corvette must be red as does a 60's Mustang.
Mills from 'Seven' is in my head screaming, "What's in the box?"
So, is this gonna be a Luke Skywalker 'Corvette Summer' rip-off?
Pick up the slack already, movie, or I'm opening my package!
What looked like a comedy to begin with, 'Action USA' quickly turns into any Andy Sidaris movie, then Freddie Mercury, and his stand over man, break into a house and assault Johnny Cage and the escort lady. Cage is taken hostage in the trunk of a car then express sent by air mail to an unknown location.
That's not Johnny Cage, it's Craig T Nelson.
He's combat-zone-dropped in the Hoover Dam and miraculously survives the 200ft drop somehow?
For some reason the sound keeps dropping out then coming loud.
And the movie will generate a headache by the time the end credits roll with all this fast-paced driving around motion.
There's not much of a plot. It's flimsy really. They just want an excuse, (Arnold's planted knowledge from 'Total Recall,') to hit the highway and make it a road movie with wild goose chases and 'Smokey and The Bandit' scenarios in finding out what Arnold knows.
Basically, a dude possesses the whereabouts of some valuable jewellery inside his head and everybody wants to capture him to beat a confession out of him to spill the beans.
Freddie Mercury, with a lousy aim, has a 100-round chamber in his six shooter that never needs reloading.
Johnny Cage is recaptured after a little 'Dukes of Hazzard'/'Mad Max' action then is surprisingly shot point-blank by Freddie Mercury, who's ultra aggressive in this movie.
The Andy Sidaris model escapes only to be captured by Reese, or Richard Grieco, although, he has Lawn Mower Man eyes.
No wait! It's Richard Marx. It's Richard Marx.
Marx mumbles something about Sarah Connor so it must be Reese and not, um, Richard Grieco?
A stain glassed shower scene blurs eye exposure to a sensual naked figure soaping up. Thanks a lot. (A movie for the seeing impaired.)
Making his grand entrance through a front window, with his usual Judy Collins flair, Freddie Mercury gets plugged full of bullets and dies hard in the tradition of a 'Hard to Kill' what-cha-ma-call-it movie?
Why are trained FBI agents on the run from a two-bit hitman?
Oh look, its Joey's dad from 'The Wanderers.' So, Joey didn't kill him after all like he thought.
I think it's about time we found out what's inside my package as this movie is so late 80's and not working in 2023.
'Action USA' goes nowhere, so I'm initiating what I call "Operation Box Reveal." (It's the equivalent of unboxing a package on YouTube.) Let's see, two packets of Sun Chips, French Onion, from Texas. Where this silly movie was made. (Sun Chips were my staple diet in Vancouver.)
What's-her-name? The Andy Sidaris model was just abducted again by a hired gun called Drago. No, not what you think. He's a free agent, best of the best, hitmen supposedly.
The Andy Sidaris escort keeps getting bounced around like a tennis ball as all this movie wants to do is go on the road to display stupid car chase scenes and dumb stunts and people falling from high distances.
My surprise package also contains a gold $1 coin with John Tyler on it. You guys didn't replace your $1 notes with coins, did you? I like the American dollar note as it has the "all seeing pyramid eye" on it. (If you Astral Travel you may have encountered it? Never mind.)
'Action USA' continues to chug along like a tug boat as I'm rifling through my package.
We're not missing out on much with this long, drawn-out, movie. There was no need for it to run for one-hour and thirty-six minutes.
The baddy from 'Tango & Cash,' Perret, has sent out some Russian tracker to retrieve the Andy Sidaris model, as she now possesses the 'Total Recall' knowledge that only Kuato can extract. How she obtained this knowledge - who knows? Only the dead guy at the start, Reese, knew of its whereabouts.
'Action USA' is a lame road movie that fails to drive a dagger through even the most anaemic vampire. It needs to sharpen its stake as it's been soaking too long in that chalk stuff you rub your pool cues in. Blunt as the receiving end of a piece of wood in woodwork.
In the fashion of most Andy Sidaris movies, everyone in 'Action USA' is after a bag of diamonds. (I must have been looking in my package as I missed the part when they finally found them. They look like something you get out of those twist machines you pop a quarter in.)
Last but not least I've been gifted chocolate mint Pur Gum from Toronto. Chocolate? Never had chocolate gum before.
A 'Convoy' barroom fight scene breaks out as nothing else happens in this movie.
This movie is like a provincial bush league production that was funded by a local lottery in the town of Plano.
A wooden house at the one hour and eight-minute mark explodes. How is that even possible? How does wood explode? Can someone explain that to me? Spit fire is one thing, with sappy redwood lashing out, but an exploding house? Wood is not a conductor.
Exploding gas tanks, cars flying through the air, none of these explosions do anything for me in 2023.
They even use that outdated car-up-the-ramp trick to turn the auto over on its side. (The me of the 80's would be in his glory watching all this action but the me of today sits here like a Cactus Pickle in need of hydration and cloud cover. I know, I know, there's no such thing as a Cactus Pickle. Well, hang on! Actually, you can pickle cactus! So, there you go...I really am a Cactus Pickle after all when watching movies today. That explains it all.)
Everything in this movie is as outdated as neon shirts from the 80's. None of this crap will fly in 2023! Do you even see anyone wearing a neon today? I rest my case.
'Action USA' must be the brainchild of some beauty school dropouts who didn't get past the 7th grade as it seems like an action movie for dullards who didn't graduate. The uneducated, and easily pleased, will take delight in this garbage.
Oh man, just when you think it's over, 'Action USA' ambles along some more with a fresh wave of baddies. I thought that was the ending up that tower with the guy sky diving out the window.
Just end already! We all know the good guys will win in the end even though they're outnumbered a hundred to one.
The MVP tonight is the little gold $1 coin.
I can't say much for this movie though - it was garbage. (As were a lot of other road movies from the 80's.) As expected, the three heroes of the movie overcome in the end and it defies any belief that they did so as they were outnumbered as previously stated.
This movie was a waste of time.
I could have been watching porn instead.
An exploding wooden house.
I better be careful next time lighting a BBQ as the wood may have other sinister, malicious, intentions.
That'd be a good plot for a movie - a killer BBQ.
An exploding wooden house.
That's either Johnny Cage, or James Marshall, driving that blue Corvette. Blue? A Corvette must be red as does a 60's Mustang.
Mills from 'Seven' is in my head screaming, "What's in the box?"
So, is this gonna be a Luke Skywalker 'Corvette Summer' rip-off?
Pick up the slack already, movie, or I'm opening my package!
What looked like a comedy to begin with, 'Action USA' quickly turns into any Andy Sidaris movie, then Freddie Mercury, and his stand over man, break into a house and assault Johnny Cage and the escort lady. Cage is taken hostage in the trunk of a car then express sent by air mail to an unknown location.
That's not Johnny Cage, it's Craig T Nelson.
He's combat-zone-dropped in the Hoover Dam and miraculously survives the 200ft drop somehow?
For some reason the sound keeps dropping out then coming loud.
And the movie will generate a headache by the time the end credits roll with all this fast-paced driving around motion.
There's not much of a plot. It's flimsy really. They just want an excuse, (Arnold's planted knowledge from 'Total Recall,') to hit the highway and make it a road movie with wild goose chases and 'Smokey and The Bandit' scenarios in finding out what Arnold knows.
Basically, a dude possesses the whereabouts of some valuable jewellery inside his head and everybody wants to capture him to beat a confession out of him to spill the beans.
Freddie Mercury, with a lousy aim, has a 100-round chamber in his six shooter that never needs reloading.
Johnny Cage is recaptured after a little 'Dukes of Hazzard'/'Mad Max' action then is surprisingly shot point-blank by Freddie Mercury, who's ultra aggressive in this movie.
The Andy Sidaris model escapes only to be captured by Reese, or Richard Grieco, although, he has Lawn Mower Man eyes.
No wait! It's Richard Marx. It's Richard Marx.
Marx mumbles something about Sarah Connor so it must be Reese and not, um, Richard Grieco?
A stain glassed shower scene blurs eye exposure to a sensual naked figure soaping up. Thanks a lot. (A movie for the seeing impaired.)
Making his grand entrance through a front window, with his usual Judy Collins flair, Freddie Mercury gets plugged full of bullets and dies hard in the tradition of a 'Hard to Kill' what-cha-ma-call-it movie?
Why are trained FBI agents on the run from a two-bit hitman?
Oh look, its Joey's dad from 'The Wanderers.' So, Joey didn't kill him after all like he thought.
I think it's about time we found out what's inside my package as this movie is so late 80's and not working in 2023.
'Action USA' goes nowhere, so I'm initiating what I call "Operation Box Reveal." (It's the equivalent of unboxing a package on YouTube.) Let's see, two packets of Sun Chips, French Onion, from Texas. Where this silly movie was made. (Sun Chips were my staple diet in Vancouver.)
What's-her-name? The Andy Sidaris model was just abducted again by a hired gun called Drago. No, not what you think. He's a free agent, best of the best, hitmen supposedly.
The Andy Sidaris escort keeps getting bounced around like a tennis ball as all this movie wants to do is go on the road to display stupid car chase scenes and dumb stunts and people falling from high distances.
My surprise package also contains a gold $1 coin with John Tyler on it. You guys didn't replace your $1 notes with coins, did you? I like the American dollar note as it has the "all seeing pyramid eye" on it. (If you Astral Travel you may have encountered it? Never mind.)
'Action USA' continues to chug along like a tug boat as I'm rifling through my package.
We're not missing out on much with this long, drawn-out, movie. There was no need for it to run for one-hour and thirty-six minutes.
The baddy from 'Tango & Cash,' Perret, has sent out some Russian tracker to retrieve the Andy Sidaris model, as she now possesses the 'Total Recall' knowledge that only Kuato can extract. How she obtained this knowledge - who knows? Only the dead guy at the start, Reese, knew of its whereabouts.
'Action USA' is a lame road movie that fails to drive a dagger through even the most anaemic vampire. It needs to sharpen its stake as it's been soaking too long in that chalk stuff you rub your pool cues in. Blunt as the receiving end of a piece of wood in woodwork.
In the fashion of most Andy Sidaris movies, everyone in 'Action USA' is after a bag of diamonds. (I must have been looking in my package as I missed the part when they finally found them. They look like something you get out of those twist machines you pop a quarter in.)
Last but not least I've been gifted chocolate mint Pur Gum from Toronto. Chocolate? Never had chocolate gum before.
A 'Convoy' barroom fight scene breaks out as nothing else happens in this movie.
This movie is like a provincial bush league production that was funded by a local lottery in the town of Plano.
A wooden house at the one hour and eight-minute mark explodes. How is that even possible? How does wood explode? Can someone explain that to me? Spit fire is one thing, with sappy redwood lashing out, but an exploding house? Wood is not a conductor.
Exploding gas tanks, cars flying through the air, none of these explosions do anything for me in 2023.
They even use that outdated car-up-the-ramp trick to turn the auto over on its side. (The me of the 80's would be in his glory watching all this action but the me of today sits here like a Cactus Pickle in need of hydration and cloud cover. I know, I know, there's no such thing as a Cactus Pickle. Well, hang on! Actually, you can pickle cactus! So, there you go...I really am a Cactus Pickle after all when watching movies today. That explains it all.)
Everything in this movie is as outdated as neon shirts from the 80's. None of this crap will fly in 2023! Do you even see anyone wearing a neon today? I rest my case.
'Action USA' must be the brainchild of some beauty school dropouts who didn't get past the 7th grade as it seems like an action movie for dullards who didn't graduate. The uneducated, and easily pleased, will take delight in this garbage.
Oh man, just when you think it's over, 'Action USA' ambles along some more with a fresh wave of baddies. I thought that was the ending up that tower with the guy sky diving out the window.
Just end already! We all know the good guys will win in the end even though they're outnumbered a hundred to one.
The MVP tonight is the little gold $1 coin.
I can't say much for this movie though - it was garbage. (As were a lot of other road movies from the 80's.) As expected, the three heroes of the movie overcome in the end and it defies any belief that they did so as they were outnumbered as previously stated.
This movie was a waste of time.
I could have been watching porn instead.
An exploding wooden house.
I better be careful next time lighting a BBQ as the wood may have other sinister, malicious, intentions.
That'd be a good plot for a movie - a killer BBQ.
An exploding wooden house.
What can you say about the movie that has everything?
tarbosh2200015 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Action U.S.A. is simply awesome! From the title on down, the movie delivers in every possible way.
Truly the Crank (2006) of its day, the plot blasts off when rockin' dude with an attitude Billy Ray (who drives a hot Corvette with the license plate SLEEK 1) is offed by some gangsters, his girlfriend Carmen (Murphy) goes on the run and goes into the police protection of FBI agents Clay Osborne (Cummins) and Panama (McKinnon). The bad guys bring in the big guns with Drago (Hagen), a cowboy with a big gun and a bad attitude. They are on the trail of some stolen diamonds Billy Ray supposedly had, and that the gangsters want, including Frankie Navarro (Mitchell) and corrupt agent Conover (Smith). Will Osborne and Carmen develop a relationship while on the run? Will Panama be okay? Hang on to your seat! One of the genius things about Action U.S.A. is that the filmmakers were smart enough to give it a simple plot so they could include the maximum amount of action, and the film is a speedy 80 minutes. The film is by stuntmen, and for the fans. Because they worked in the stunt industry, they had a firm grasp on what the audience really wants. On top of the non-stop crazy stunts, chases, helicopter stunts and blow-ups, there is actual chemistry and humor amongst the cast! The good guys are likable and the bad guys are evil/funny. This movie truly has it all.
The characters of Clay, Carmen and Panama work off each other perfectly, as do the baddies Drago and his henchmen Lucky and Hitch. Clay and Panama have a pre-Roddy Piper/Billy Blanks thing going, but with less bickering. They also have some great outfits, such as Panama's black suit and pants with white socks. He also has a belt AND suspenders. Those pants aren't going anywhere. But I digress.
Shot in Texas, the film bears a bit of a resemblance to Sno-Line (1986) in some ways. There is a much better than average barfight, but everything in this movie is above average. The game is really stepped up here. If you see this somewhere, you must buy it because it has a lot of re-watchability. If this ever was to be remade by Hollywood, it would be filled with CGI junk and stupid tricks. This has stunt after stunt made by the pros, and its great to watch. It's the real thing. It's refreshing.
There are some great songs to complement the action, and the music is by Del Casher, the inventor of the wah-wah pedal (although no wah's are heard on the fist-pumping soundtrack).
This movie is a hidden gem and a true fan favorite. It has to be the best thing ever put out on the Imperial label.
The presence of genre favorites Cameron Mitchell, Ross Hagen and William Smith brighten the movie even more. They all look like they are having fun. If this movie has any flaws, its that it could have used a bit more Cam. That's really the only negative to this engaging, thrilling, fun and upbeat experience!
Truly the Crank (2006) of its day, the plot blasts off when rockin' dude with an attitude Billy Ray (who drives a hot Corvette with the license plate SLEEK 1) is offed by some gangsters, his girlfriend Carmen (Murphy) goes on the run and goes into the police protection of FBI agents Clay Osborne (Cummins) and Panama (McKinnon). The bad guys bring in the big guns with Drago (Hagen), a cowboy with a big gun and a bad attitude. They are on the trail of some stolen diamonds Billy Ray supposedly had, and that the gangsters want, including Frankie Navarro (Mitchell) and corrupt agent Conover (Smith). Will Osborne and Carmen develop a relationship while on the run? Will Panama be okay? Hang on to your seat! One of the genius things about Action U.S.A. is that the filmmakers were smart enough to give it a simple plot so they could include the maximum amount of action, and the film is a speedy 80 minutes. The film is by stuntmen, and for the fans. Because they worked in the stunt industry, they had a firm grasp on what the audience really wants. On top of the non-stop crazy stunts, chases, helicopter stunts and blow-ups, there is actual chemistry and humor amongst the cast! The good guys are likable and the bad guys are evil/funny. This movie truly has it all.
The characters of Clay, Carmen and Panama work off each other perfectly, as do the baddies Drago and his henchmen Lucky and Hitch. Clay and Panama have a pre-Roddy Piper/Billy Blanks thing going, but with less bickering. They also have some great outfits, such as Panama's black suit and pants with white socks. He also has a belt AND suspenders. Those pants aren't going anywhere. But I digress.
Shot in Texas, the film bears a bit of a resemblance to Sno-Line (1986) in some ways. There is a much better than average barfight, but everything in this movie is above average. The game is really stepped up here. If you see this somewhere, you must buy it because it has a lot of re-watchability. If this ever was to be remade by Hollywood, it would be filled with CGI junk and stupid tricks. This has stunt after stunt made by the pros, and its great to watch. It's the real thing. It's refreshing.
There are some great songs to complement the action, and the music is by Del Casher, the inventor of the wah-wah pedal (although no wah's are heard on the fist-pumping soundtrack).
This movie is a hidden gem and a true fan favorite. It has to be the best thing ever put out on the Imperial label.
The presence of genre favorites Cameron Mitchell, Ross Hagen and William Smith brighten the movie even more. They all look like they are having fun. If this movie has any flaws, its that it could have used a bit more Cam. That's really the only negative to this engaging, thrilling, fun and upbeat experience!
...this movie will make you laugh...a lot
christophaskell15 November 2003
Director John Stewart should be given a medal. Not only does he play off of every stereotype known to the action genre, but he redefines ridiculous car chases and explosions-for-the-sake-of-them. Action U.S.A.' is a must see for any action fan, and an even muster see for any fan of B-action movies that make you laugh. Where else can you see a house blow up because a car ran through it (without the car being damaged)? From beginning to end this movie will make you laugh, and laugh a lot. Stay far away if you're not a fan of cheesy acting and irrational plot structures, however, as this movie carries them in spades. For those of you whom this sounds even remotely interesting to, go out of your way to find it: I guarantee you will not regret it. Rating: 26/40
The Best Drug Money Can Buy
elytracollective16 January 2021
Stuntman-turned-filmmaker John Stewart created one of the most dangerously high-octane action films of the 80's with "Action U.S.A." A non-stop barrage of daredevil stunts, practical explosions, outlaw gunfights and wild chase sequences. Unfortunately for Stewart, "Action U.S.A." didn't get the appreciation it deserved back when it was released in '89 and slipped under the radar until Vinegar Syndrome rescued it from oblivion. This is a diehard action junkie's wet dream and a real monster truck of a film that has to be seen to be believed.
Opening with "Long After Midnight" by Urban Shocker, a gorgeous blue-coated 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray fires on all cylinders, much like the film is about to. In the first twenty minutes, the audience is treated to a full-on assault to the senses with an insane showcase of vehicular stunt work. The opening chase scene moves from cars to a helicopter and back to cars before inevitably ending in a balls-to-the-wall blaze of glory. "Action U.S.A" may hit its peak in the first twenty minutes but everything that comes after is definitely close enough to matching its level.
With a hackneyed script from David Reskin that's every bit as cliché and forgettable as they come, "Action U.S.A." simply isn't the type of film to watch for the plot. However, considering how much it's lacking in that department, the film bombastically skates by on its pure machismo and action dynamics. The holy trinity of Gregory Scott Cummins, William Hubbard Knight and Barri Murphy are a charming trio to ride this rollercoaster of a film alongside. Ross Hagen, who plays our villainous assassin, steals the show from them as the stoic badass, Drago.
"Action U.S.A." is a violent extravaganza of adrenaline-fueled mayhem, buddy-cop tropes and beefcake heroics. This is a true hidden gem in every sense of the word. It's honestly upsetting that John Stewart didn't have much of a directorial career following this film for his death-defying direction and impeccable focus on stunt work is incredible throughout. The wise will inject "Action U.S.A." directly into their veins with this Texan blend of fun for eternal stimulation. It's recklessness is addictive, endlessly rewatchable and worth the trip every time.
Opening with "Long After Midnight" by Urban Shocker, a gorgeous blue-coated 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray fires on all cylinders, much like the film is about to. In the first twenty minutes, the audience is treated to a full-on assault to the senses with an insane showcase of vehicular stunt work. The opening chase scene moves from cars to a helicopter and back to cars before inevitably ending in a balls-to-the-wall blaze of glory. "Action U.S.A" may hit its peak in the first twenty minutes but everything that comes after is definitely close enough to matching its level.
With a hackneyed script from David Reskin that's every bit as cliché and forgettable as they come, "Action U.S.A." simply isn't the type of film to watch for the plot. However, considering how much it's lacking in that department, the film bombastically skates by on its pure machismo and action dynamics. The holy trinity of Gregory Scott Cummins, William Hubbard Knight and Barri Murphy are a charming trio to ride this rollercoaster of a film alongside. Ross Hagen, who plays our villainous assassin, steals the show from them as the stoic badass, Drago.
"Action U.S.A." is a violent extravaganza of adrenaline-fueled mayhem, buddy-cop tropes and beefcake heroics. This is a true hidden gem in every sense of the word. It's honestly upsetting that John Stewart didn't have much of a directorial career following this film for his death-defying direction and impeccable focus on stunt work is incredible throughout. The wise will inject "Action U.S.A." directly into their veins with this Texan blend of fun for eternal stimulation. It's recklessness is addictive, endlessly rewatchable and worth the trip every time.
ummmmmm.... heeheehee... this is one of the best kept secrets in movie history. such hot action!!
schpordlokk10 December 2001
how do i put this? uhhhhmmmmm.. gee let me think- this movie is BEAUTIFUL!!!! BOOOYAHAHAH! this is clearly the premiere underground b-movie action flick of all time. it is hilarious, explosive, and teeming with quotable dialogue that will have you screaming in your seat! i was squealing myself. the plot alone is funny: this guy named billy ray steals these diamonds from these gangsters and is hunted down by the head honcho's ugly henchmen. billy ray's girlfriend flees after he is shot in one of the funniest death scenes i have ever witnessed. enter cop Clay Osbourne and his Danny Glover-imitation partner, nicknamed Panama (you'll have to wait until the end to find out the meaning behind this moniker). the two veterans take in the girlfriend on a witness protection assignment or something. anyways, what follows is TNT. the trio encounters this cool band of villains, including the menacing Drago and the Chuck Norris-esque Lucky. you won't believe how awesome this movie gets. considerate it a blessing if you ever find this title at your local video store. I own a copy myself, probably one of the only ones in existence. see it at all costs.
Best bad movie of all time
dougy-tz9 April 2021
I don't even know where to start with this. I've never seen time fly by so fast, it literally is action scene after after action scene. If you're a fan of Samurai Cop or any Arizal movies, or just insane stunts and amazingly awful dialogue, this is the movie for you.
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