Action Man (2022): Javier Ruiz Caldera’s Action-Comedy

Move over, G.I. Joe. There’s a new action figure in town, and he’s bringing a printing press instead of a grenade launcher. Yes, you read that right - Hollywood is taking a third crack at bringing the classic British toy Action Man to the big screen, and this time, they’re swapping out explosions for existentialism.

The latest attempt isn't your typical hero romp. Forget saving the world from Cobra or dodging laser beams. This version of Action Man is a 2022 drama, loosely inspired by the real-life exploits of Lucio Urtubia, a Spanish anarchist dubbed the “Robin Hood” of counterfeiting. Instead of a chiseled jaw and a grappling hook, our new hero carries a bag full of forged traveler’s checks and a burning desire to bankroll grassroots causes. It’s less "Yo Joe!" and more "Yo, Joe, can you spare a revolutionary dime?"

For the uninitiated, this marks the third swing at the Action Man franchise in just 14 years. The first two attempts - shrouded in development hell and enough false starts to make a yo-yo dizzy - never made it past the planning stages. This one actually landed in theaters, and it’s a wild departure from what toy fans might expect. The film is directed by Javier Ruiz Caldera and clocks in at a tight 111 minutes. It’s a two-hour history lesson with a side of bank heist tension, and honestly, it might be the most interesting take on a toy-based property we’ve seen in ages.

So, who’s in the driver’s seat? Juan José Ballesta steps into the boots of Lucio, the anarchist at the heart of the story. He’s joined by a solid Spanish cast, including Miki Esparbé as Quico, Luis Callejo as Asturiano, and Liah O’Prey as Anne. The whole affair is a Spanish production, which explains why the film feels more like a gritty international thriller than a slick American studio product. There’s even a nod to the era’s style with Alexandre Blazy playing Inspecteur Costello, because what’s a caper without a cops-and-robbers showdown?

The plot is genuinely fascinating. Set in Paris, it follows Lucio as he runs a legendary counterfeiting operation that lands him squarely in the crosshairs of one of America’s biggest banks. His crime? Forging traveler’s checks on a massive scale and using the money to fund the political causes he believed in. It’s a real-world story with enough twists to make a spy novelist jealous. The film’s official overview paints it as a drama with historical roots, so don’t walk in expecting car chases and one-liners. This is a thinking person’s action movie.

Now, the critical reception is a bit of a mixed bag. The film holds a TMDb rating of 6.4 out of 10 - solid, but not exactly a standing ovation. Critics seem to appreciate the ambition and the unusual source material, but some have noted it struggles to balance its high-concept premise with the slower pacing of a period drama. For every viewer who praises its gritty authenticity, there’s another who wonders why they didn’t just make a proper action film with the guy’s name on the poster. Fair point, but we’d argue the risk is part of the charm.

Here’s the kicker: this isn’t a nostalgia play. The toy Action Man was Europe’s answer to G.I. Joe, a rugged soldier with a kung-fu grip and a thousand miniature outfits. But this movie name-drops the character only in the loosest sense. It’s a branding exercise, really - a way to attach a recognizable label to a compelling, stranger-than-fiction yarn. And honestly, that’s kind of brilliant. Who needs a superhero when you can have an anti-establishment everyman who outsmarts the corporate giants with nothing but a forgery kit?

That said, the movie’s release in late 2022 means it’s been quietly circulating on streaming platforms since, developing a cult following among fans of unconventional biopics and heist dramas. It’s not the blockbuster Action Man fans might have dreamed of, but it’s far more memorable than another forgettable tentpole. The film’s Spanish-language roots and historical focus give it a distinct flavor that’s hard to shake, even if the pacing occasionally drags.

So, what’s the takeaway? Hollywood’s third try at Action Man isn’t a misfire - it’s a curveball. It’s a movie that uses a toy’s name as a springboard to tell a riveting true story about rebellion, money, and the lengths one man will go to for his beliefs. If you go in expecting a nostalgic trip to your childhood toy box, you’ll be scratching your head. But if you’re up for a thoughtful, occasionally tense drama about a real-life rogue, this one’s worth a watch. Just don’t blame us if you start triple-checking your traveler’s checks afterward.

Source: 3DVF