Parents' Guide to

Action Point

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Chaos and bodily harm in unruly but likable comedy.

Movie R 2018 85 minutes
Action Point Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 13+

Based on 5 parent reviews

nuenjins
nuenjins Parent
August 22, 2019
age 18+

Backdrop to more "Jackass" stunts with gross out, juvenile humor.

Knoxville knows no shame...and he's NOT growing out of it with age. The poor acting and shoddily contrived plot are just bad excuses for more Jackass style stunts. Fans of the brand will get their simpleton, infantile chuckles but this shell of a movie will leave any mature adult regretting the experience.

This title has:

Too much sex
Rarityfan
Rarityfan Adult
July 6, 2019
age 12+

2018, I am forgotten

Now I see why this section is so empty. Based on a real action park full of accidents like the reception of this movie that could had been a bigger summer splash if the promotions was bigger. Typical Jackass violent slapstick not to try at home. Now it's forgotten like an abandoned theme park full of Youtube explorers. Your family will maybe rather watch Wonder Park.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much consumerism
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In ACTION POINT, old man D.C. (Johnny Knoxville) babysits his granddaughter and tells her the story of the time, in the late 1970s, that he ran the most epic theme park in history. Flashbacks tell the story of Action Point's last summer, which featured a visit from D.C.'s teen daughter, "Boogie" (Eleanor Worthington-Cox). It involves unsafe rides and plenty of fun, but D.C. and his crew of "s--tbirds" must step up their game when a bigger theme park opens nearby. D.C. decides to emphasize the "no rules" nature of his park, advertising that what you can't do at the competition, you can do at Action Point. His gambit works, but evil lawyers -- led by the smarmy Knoblach (Dan Bakkedahl) -- continue to try to shut him down. Plus, when D.C. forgets to take Boogie to see the Clash, he risks losing both the park and his daughter.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (5):

As with Knoxville's surprisingly likable Bad Grandpa, this movie is appealing and often funny, in a reckless, naughty way. Set over the course of a late-1970s summer at a lakeside theme park, Action Point has the raucous, carefree feel of something like Meatballs, Adventureland, or Wet Hot American Summer, only edgier (and, unlike the latter, it's not an homage to anything). It has a plot, but half the point is to use the theme park to stage ridiculous, Jackass-style stunts and pranks, such as knocking Knoxville down a waterslide with a high-pressure hose and smashing him through a barn door with a catapult.

When the plot does kick in, it's hard not to care at least a little bit about the touching, slightly clueless relationship between father and daughter -- and about the fate of the ramshackle park, especially when loathsome, greedy lawyers and businessmen are the villains. The movie does play with the idea that this 1970s "Wild West" ("people took responsibility for their own actions!") was preferable to today's more politically correct era. While one-sided, the argument at least offers an interesting discussion point. The vintage pop-punk songs are energetic, and the colorful, misfit supporting characters (the "s--tbirds") are fun (including Jackass veteran Chris Pontius) and lovably goofy. And the ending, more chaos than victory, is entirely appropriate.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Action Point's violence. When is it funny, and when does it cross the line? Who determines where "the line" is?

  • This movie doesn't have the usual Jackass disclaimer about not trying these stunts at home. Do you think that means these jokes, pranks, and stunts are any safer to try?

  • How is D.C.'s drinking portrayed? How does he drink so much and never seem drunk? What would be the consequences of this kind of substance use in real life?

  • What does D.C. mean when he talks about characters taking responsibility for their own actions versus the age of "helicopter parenting," etc.? Do you agree with him? What are some arguments against this?

  • How is sex portrayed? Is it treated seriously or as a joke? Which values are imparted?

Movie Details

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