Alright, settle back into that worn spot on the couch, maybe crack open a cold one. Tonight on VHS Heaven, we’re dusting off a tape that probably sat comfortably next to City Slickers or Maverick on the rental shelf back in the day: Paul Hogan’s 1994 stab at recapturing cinematic lightning (pun absolutely intended) with Lightning Jack. Fresh off the world-conquering success of the Crocodile Dundee films, Hogan wasn’t just the star here; he wrote and produced it too, pouring considerable effort (and reportedly, some of his own cash) into bringing this amiable Western comedy to life. Did it strike twice? Well, let's just say the voltage was a little different this time around.
Not Quite Dundee Does Dallas
The setup is pure Hogan charm: Jack Kane (Hogan) is an aging Australian outlaw trying to make a name for himself in the American West. The problem? He's... well, he's just not very good at it. His eyesight's failing, his legendary gang is mostly dead, and his bank robberies tend to go unnoticed. After a botched heist leaves him the sole survivor (again), he inadvertently takes a mute young Black man, Ben Doyle (Cuba Gooding Jr.), hostage. Ben, tired of his dead-end life as a store clerk, sees a chance for adventure and sticks with Jack, becoming his unlikely, and initially speechless, partner in crime.
It’s a classic odd-couple pairing, playing on Hogan’s established persona as the wry, capable-but-slightly-out-of-his-depth adventurer, juxtaposed with Gooding Jr.’s wide-eyed enthusiasm. Remember, this was Cuba Gooding Jr. just before his Oscar win for Jerry Maguire (1996) catapulted him to stardom; here, he’s all youthful energy and surprisingly adept physical comedy, especially considering his character doesn't speak for a good chunk of the film. His non-verbal reactions to Jack's ineptitude are often the film's comedic highlights. Their chemistry is genuinely warm, forming the gentle heart of the movie.
Crafting a Comedic West
Behind the camera was Simon Wincer, a director who certainly knew his way around a horse opera, having previously helmed the excellent Tom Selleck vehicle Quigley Down Under (1990) and, perhaps more famously, Free Willy (1993) just the year before Lightning Jack. Wincer brings a clean, classic look to the film. You can feel the effort to make this look authentic, shooting across stunning landscapes in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and even parts of Hogan’s native Australia standing in for the American frontier.
The action, such as it is, leans heavily into the comedic. Don't expect the gritty realism of Unforgiven (1992) or the explosive set pieces of a contemporary action blockbuster. Lightning Jack is more about situational humor, near misses, and Jack’s slightly bewildered attempts at notoriety. Yet, there’s still that satisfying tang of 90s practical filmmaking. The horse riding feels real because it is real (Paul Hogan, an experienced horseman, did much of his own riding), the dusty towns look lived-in, and the occasional gunfight has a grounded feel, far removed from today’s slick, CGI-heavy sequences. There's a certain pleasure in watching actors interact physically within these built environments, something that sometimes gets lost in digital worlds. Adding another layer of veteran presence is the always-welcome Beverly D'Angelo as Lana Castel, a saloon-dwelling writer captivated by Jack's (mostly imagined) exploits, bringing her impeccable comedic timing to the mix.
Retro Fun Fact: Hogan reportedly sunk around $6 million of his own money into the film's roughly $20 million budget, showcasing his personal commitment to the project. While it performed decently internationally, it didn't quite ignite the US box office, making around $18 million domestically – a far cry from the Crocodile Dundee phenomenon.
A Softer Spark
So, why didn't Lightning Jack become the next Dundee? It's arguably gentler, slower-paced, and less reliant on the fish-out-of-water novelty that made Mick Dundee such a global sensation. The humor is more chuckle-worthy than laugh-out-loud, and the plot ambles along pleasantly rather than driving forward with high stakes. Critics at the time were somewhat lukewarm, often making the inevitable, and perhaps unfair, comparisons to Hogan's previous megahit.
But watching it now, detached from those initial expectations, reveals a really quite charming and enjoyable film. It’s a throwback to a time when star-driven comedies could be built around likability and gentle adventure rather than frantic pacing and elaborate gags. I distinctly remember grabbing this one off the "New Releases" wall at Blockbuster, drawn in by Hogan's familiar grin on the cover. It wasn't the rollicking adventure I might have anticipated, but it was a comfortable, fun watch – perfect for a lazy Saturday afternoon.
Rating: 6/10
Justification: Lightning Jack earns its points through the sheer likability of its leads (Paul Hogan and a pre-fame Cuba Gooding Jr. share genuine chemistry), competent direction from Simon Wincer, lovely scenery, and a gentle, easygoing charm. It's consistently amusing, if rarely hilarious. Points are deducted for a somewhat thin plot, a pace that occasionally drags, and the fact that it never quite escapes the shadow of Hogan's more famous creation. It lacks that truly memorable spark or iconic moment.
Final Thought: While it didn't set the box office ablaze like its creator's earlier outback adventures, Lightning Jack remains a pleasant, well-made Western comedy with a distinctly mellow 90s vibe – a comfortable old saddle of a movie, even if it wasn't built for speed. Worth revisiting if you're after nostalgia with a smile, not a belly laugh.