Like a blast from a .44 magnum, Carl Weathers (Predator, Rocky) makes Action Jackson a hero who delivers the goods with charisma and excitement. He plays Detroit police Sergeant Jericho Jackson, pitted against the brutal thugs of ruthless auto tycoon Peter Dellaplane (Craig T. Nelson), who’s out to murder his way to political power. Jackson’s also involved with Dellaplane’s beautiful wife, Patrice (Sharon Stone) — and his mistress, Sydney (singer Vanity). Framed and hunted by his fellow officers, Jackson sets up a desperate showdown that hurls Action Jackson toward a heart-stopping climax.

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Video Quality

Warner Archive re-released Action Jackson on Blu-Ray in 2019 after originally being released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment in 2013 with a 1080p master transfer from a 2K scan of the Interpositive. The release was fine for the time, but it feels a bit dated these days in a way that is crying out for a 4K UHD upgrade. This original Blu-Ray release at least allowed the film to be presented in its original aspect ratio, and it gets the job done. The restoration efforts of the time were executed favorably with little in the way of dirt, nicks, or scratches. We did not spot any unwanted digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding, or any other such issues. The degree of detail and clarity is not quite where we want it, but the natural film grain is intact. The film visits an array of memorable locales, and each one has textural elements that perk up the screen. Black levels are decently deep with fine stability throughout, and highlights are in good shape. In the absence of a proper 4K restoration, this release holds up as a solid option.

Audio Quality

Warner Archive has delivered a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio stereo presentation that taps into the soundscape effectively. The track balances vocals with an onslaught of environmental noises with wonderful clarity. Even in action-packed moments, there are no instances when the track falters in its stability. The dynamic soundtrack and score fill the room with memorable compositions. The music flows without signs of strain in the upper registers for competent fidelity. Dialogue comes through clearly throughout without being clipped. Warner Archive has provided a sturdy audio presentation. Optional English (SDH), French, German, and Spanish subtitles are provided.

Special Features

There are no special features provided on this disc..

Final Thoughts

Action Jackson fits comfortably into the subgenre of action crime films featuring cops who play by their own rules. The plot itself is nothing to write home about, but Carl Weathers proves himself once again to be a captivating leading man. Notable names such as Craig T. Nelson and Sharon Stone guide the proceedings along to a crowd-pleasing finish. This film does not appear to be the best known, but it will provide a good time if you are looking to play around in the genre. Warner Archive has released a Blu-Ray featuring a good A/V presentation but no special features. Recommended

Action Jackson can be purchased directly through MovieZyng or various other online retailers.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.