Action Point

Set in the 1970s, Action Point follows Johnny Knoxville’s D.C. as he fights to keep his (proudly) unsafe amusement park out of the hands of a greedy land developer (Dan Bakkedahl’s Knoblach) – with the rough-and-tumble protagonist inevitably receiving plenty of help from his ragtag employees (including Chris Pontius’ Benny and Brigette Lundy-Paine’s Four Finger Annie). It’s a well-worn premise that’s employed to mostly watchable yet hopelessly erratic effect by filmmaker Tim Kirkby, as the director, working from a script by John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, generally does a decent job of compensating for the familiar, paint-by-numbers storyline by emphasizing the irresistibly easygoing exploits of its many characters – with this vibe certainly perpetuated by Knoxville’s charming turn as the affable protagonist. (And, of course, it’s impossible not to get a kick out of Bakkedahl’s gleefully over-the-top work here.) There’s little doubt, though, that certain attempts at incorporating Jackass-style stunts and gags fare better than others (eg the ongoing emphasis on animal-related shenanigans fall completely flat, for example), while the movie’s frenetic, chaotic third act is hardly as entertaining and rewarding as Kirkby has obviously intended. Still, Action Point, armed with a refreshingly brief running time, comes off as a likable throwback that unquestionably could have been much, much worse.

**1/2 out of ****