The Last Action Heroes

The Last Action Heroes is a wildly entertaining and insightful look behind the scenes of some of the biggest action movies and stars of the 1980s and 1990s. Author Nick de Semlyen has done an incredible amount of research, conducting new interviews and digging up fascinating anecdotes and details about the making of famous action flicks and the real-life dramas surrounding their muscle-bound leading men.

The book is structured around profiles of the reigning “Kings of Carnage” from that era - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Steven Seagal, and Dolph Lundgren among others. De Semlyen pulls back the curtain on the excesses, ego clashes, and crazy stunts that went into blockbusters like Rambo, Die Hard, The Terminator, Universal Soldier, and more.

The stories are jaw-dropping and hilarious, like Stallone trying to fire Dolph Lundgren as his opponent in Rocky IV because he was too gigantic and intimidating, or the battles between Stallone and Schwarzenegger over who got to star in certain roles first. There are also poignant moments examining the toll the action hero life took on things like their personal relationships and long-term health.

What makes the book so gripping is de Semlyen's eye for little known details and his ability to capture the big personalities and competitive streaks of these iconic badasses of the big screen. He clearly has a deep affection for the action genre and its stars, celebrating their most legendary achievements while also cheekily calling out their most laughable misfires.

Overall, The Last Action Heroes is an absolute must-read for any fan of 1980s and 90s Hollywood and action movies. It's insightful, funny, wildly entertaining, and gives a whole new appreciation for the punishing work and outrageous real-life dramas that went into making these classic films. An fantastic behind-the-scenes look at the Kings of Carnage.

Rating: 5/5 stars