Incoherent plotting and stale action leave even the cast and songs wasted.
Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical consensus on Action Jackson is overwhelmingly negative, with the majority of reviewers dismissing it as incoherent, illogical, and a waste of screen time. A handful of critics concede limited appeal for dedicated fans of Ajay Devgn or Prabhudheva, with a few noting the songs and cast as minor redeeming factors. Common criticisms include a senseless screenplay, derivative and repetitive action sequences, gratuitous violence toward women, and a stale masala formula that even the director's previous work executed more competently. Several reviewers explicitly compared it unfavorably to Prabhudheva's own earlier films and urged audiences to skip it entirely.
10 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 34 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Action Jackson is a drinking game of a film, one well over the so-bad-it's-good line, its main merit being that in a sea of superstar-massaging vehicles, it holds some genuine surprises -- and makes sure its hero looks like a jackass.
Top critic
Film review ·
It's as much fun as getting your privates stuck in your zipper.
Top critic
Film review ·
I've seen plenty of bad films this year but Action Jackson raises the bar on awful. I'm sure I've lost a few brain cells with this one. I request you to stay at home — I have suffered it so you don't have to.
Top critic
Film review ·
The last Prabhu Dheva outing, 'R Rajkumar', was so unbearable that I thought I would be scarred for life. 'Action Jackson' is almost as vile: the only reason I stuck around was to see if Ajay Devgn would start making like Prabhu Dheva by the end. No, he doesn't.
Top critic
Film review ·
Action Jackson, a surefire Golden Kela contender, could give Humshakals a run for its money. Give it a miss.
Film review ·
There's suspension of disbelief, and there's Action Jackson—where suspension climbs to the top of Everest, moonwalks and floats into the stratosphere strapped with eardrum-shattering jetpacks. Not usually my cuppa, but perhaps this one time, it is. With a shot of rum.
Film review ·
The film is worth a watch strictly for the cast and the songs. That's if you're willing to endure the unbelievably long and violent film for that. Clearly, Prabhu Dheva (Wanted, R…Rajkumar, Rowdy Rathore) is in no mood to let go of the stale Bollywood formula. And as the audience, you can either play along or move on!
Film review ·
If you're not looking for a mentally stimulating fare, enjoy this ride that is basically meant for the filmi keedas.
Film review ·
A must-watch for die-hard Ajay Devgn fans, Action Jackson has intense fight scenes and foot-tapping songs, but lacks logic! The film features a wonderful cast and a few one-liners that make up for the missing elements. Nevertheless, Action Jackson is full of mindless comedy and if you're looking for a fun film this weekend, you can probably give this action drama a try!
Film review ·
To hell with commitment or appointment; this one is pure punishment.
Film review ·
To put it briefly, watch Action Jackson if you are a Prabhudheva or Ajay Devgn fan, because otherwise there isn't a single dialogue you haven't heard and this is one of the films where they say 'Do not take your brains to the theatres'.
Film review ·
Action Jackson matches up to neither Prabhudheva's film making nor an Ajay Devgn film. It is an extreme downer for those expecting a full on action-packed 'masala' film. With a done to death plot and an absolutely nothing new to offer, the only thing that this film latches onto is Ajay Devgn who maintains his swagger well enough.
Film review ·
If your idea of good action is shoving a sharp knife into someone's mouth, down his throat cutting his intestines. If your idea of good humour is a Sonakshi Sinha desperate to see a naked Ajay Devgn. And your idea of good music is songs like Keeda, Chichora Piya and Surya ast Punjabi mast, then, one, I am FURIOUSLY judging you. Two, I AM STILL JUDGING YOU!!
Film review ·
Action Jackson defies logic in every sequence. Screenplay defines absurd, characters unintentionally funny. Save your money.
Film review ·
Movie-goers expect to get entertained while watching a movie. Alas, 'Action Jackson' doesn't even have an iota of entertainment quotient. Watch the movie only if you are an Ajay Devgn Fan!
Film review ·
Endure this only if you are a true blue Ajay Devgn fan, otherwise revisit Rowdy Rathore, Prabu Deva's better version of Action Jackson.
Film review ·
There's no redeeming feature in Action Jackson, a film that's purely self-indulgent. Skip it.
Film review ·
Action Jackson is just action scenes and random songs put together to fill 145 minutes of screen time. This film is beyond repair.
Film review ·
People slap each other for no particular reason and women are punched in the face and if there was a race for pregnant women to run in high heels, Yami Gautam would win it hands down. Prabhudheva ji also tries to be a Tarantino and Roberto Rodriguez in the action scenes and needless to say, he fails.
Film review ·
You know the film is called Action Jackson, and it will essentially be a series of stylized stunt and sexy song sequences. And it totally is. Yet, no one, really, no one, can adequately warn you against what to expect here.
Film review ·
I've had enough films that are banking on one star's stardom to pull an entire 2-2.5 hour film through - be it Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan or my personal favorite Ajay Devgn. Sure most of them have either action, romance or a social message as the other anchor in the film. But, I know I've had enough. Aren't the actors done with these films that seem like it is more about them, the STAR?
Film review ·
After three hours (2 hours 25 minutes to be precise), which felt like eternity, the discombobulating was officially over. I hugged myself and advise that you do the same. What a waste!
Film review ·
Only a die-hard Ajay fan could walk out of the film without regretting the waste of time and money spent on the film.
Film review ·
There are bad films, there are so-bad-they-are-good films. And then there is 'Action Jackson'. Bollywood has trained us well enough to know that we are not to use our grey cells one bit while watching films like 'Action Jackson'.
Film review ·
You will be left traumatized and hurt when you realize that doing anything else in the world for those two hours would have been a much more productive use of your time because you would have achieved something or gained experience, you get nothing but a burning sensation to demand your money be returned. But then you need to think, there is nothing that will come to your mind that can compensate for the time and grey cells you lost while watching the film. Don't watch it; it's not even worth a watch when it comes on TV in a few weeks.
Film review ·
Action Jackson is a vicious assault to the senses...Move over Humshakals and O Teri. The award for the worst film of the year goes to Action Jackson.
Film review ·
Golden Kela and its likes are away but the worst film of the year is hands down this. At the 'Break Of Dawn' Michael Jackson must emerge from his grave, pull Prabhu by the collar for using his name, punch him and exclaim, "You ain't criminally good but hell you've been hit by Smooth Criminal." Beat it!
Film review ·
This movie will test your patience ...If you want to have fun time with your friends, where you bashing a film is all you wan to do. Watch it. Otherwise skip 'The Criminal Baby'.
Film review ·
'Action Jackson' is a loud, inane offering that mixes over-the-top action with crass comedy in a way that is unlikely to pass muster even with the movie-going constituency that it is primarily targeted at.
Film review ·
Nothing quite prepares you for Prabhudeva's 'Action Jackson'. Not even the peculiar title that attempts to glorify Bollywood's love for heroes who can fight like Superman, and dance like Michael Jackson. Nor Ajay Devgn's 'Kill Bill' moves, or his fondness to repeat a single dialogue, without any warning or provocation. What can I say, it's just one of those movies that need to be left unwatched.
Film review ·
Despite all its technical merits, the one most prominent feature of Action Jackson is its incoherence. Most of the film just doesn't make any sense. There are patches of brilliance. But none of that can save this goulash conceived from inconsistency and indecision. Prabhudheva is capable of much better.
Film review ·
Action Jackson kills the audience too just like he kills all those people in the film with his sword. So please give this movie a miss in big screen unless you are newly wedded couple (wink wink) or an insomniac.
Film review ·
Do yourself and those around you a favour: watch Action Jackson only if you have a free ticket or want to punish yourself. Perhaps if this film doesn't make an obscene amount of money, Prabhudheva will be forced to respect his audience a little.
Film review ·
Action Jackson is for the masses more than the classes. It will prove to be an average fare at the box-office in only some circuits as it will score in single-screen cinemas and with the masses more than in the multiplexes and with the gentry audience. But in the rest of the circuits, reaching the average mark will be an uphill task. Considering that it has entailed an investment of around Rs. 100 crore (to make, promote and release), recovery of the same seems an improbability in spite of fabulous recovery from the sale of satellite rights.
Film review ·
This chop suey of Chinese action films, Tarantino aesthetic, south Indian histrionics, 1980s' chauvinism, overused background score, Devgn machismo garnished with Prabhudheva's overstylized direction, is enough to give one a splitting headache.
Film review ·
With "Action Jackson", Bollywood's masala entertainer just got uglier and louder, and, if past audience reactions are anything to go by, is well on its way to box office glory.
Film review ·
When it seems somebody is drawing sadistic pleasure when a woman is punched in the face, one doubts the sensibility of the filmmaker. Even those who whistled for his Rowdy Rathore would find this hard to swallow.
From our readers
2 ratings · user score 2.5
This movie is neither about action nor dance. It is about romance - a Kishan Kanaiya with three gopi around. A desi Robinhood-sort Vishy(Ajay Devgan) is chased(for a change) by unlucky Khushi(Sonakshi Sinha) to see his naked torso so that luck may rub off on her. Funny! Ajay looks half the size of Sona! In Bangkok, another gangster Jai / AJ(Ajay in a double role) has Anusha(Yami Gautam) for company. To add to the garbage is don Anand Raj's sister Marina(Manasvi Mamgai), who falls for gangster, who won't reciprocate. Anand gives competition to former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev by sporting his forehead birthmark. Anand may now rightly be called'Tilak' Raj! It's another matter, Gorbachev will come out of'cold war' and rightly thrash this pseudo copier for making him the'villain'. That's my assumption. There is Ajay's side-kick Kunal Roy Kapur, who doesn't know the difference between comedy and bafoonry. I'm still deciphering whu Sonu Sood joined the cast. And if this is not enough, there is icing on this cake with cameos by Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Prabhu Deva and Prabhas! Phew! The picture is complete. Of course the songs can be called pastries. Ajay is no Salman but is better than Akshay. This movie is made like a south Tamil movie. 'Director' Prabhu Deva goes Farah Khan way. Post WANTED, he has done menials ROWDY RATHORE and R RAJKUMAR. And now this trash. After November trashes, this one is slightly better. But if u've seen SINGHAM early this year, don't waste ur time, money or energy on this mish-mash. I sympathize with Michael Jackson. He must be turning in his grave restlessly. He may come out of the grave to sue Ajay for dancing with half foot! I don't know what to call his dancing! Naach na jaane aangan tedha! I let out a sigh of relief. Jaan bachi aur lakho paaye. Pure BS.
Credits
Ajay DevgnAction Jackson (AJ)
Manasvi Mamgai
Sonakshi Sinha
Kunaal Roy Kapur
Yami Gautam Dhar
Anandaraj
Shahid KapoorSpecial Apperance
Sonu Sood
Salman KhanSpecial Apperance
Prabhu Deva(Special Appearance)Hindi films like Action Jackson
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