#classactionpark

❤ David Bowie - All The Madmen

If you’ve never heard of the offence to safety that was Action Park, Seth Porges and Chris Charles Scott III’s documentary will make your jaw drop. Even if you already “know”, you don’t know until you’ve seen the in-depth breakdown that is Class Action Park. Though crude, it’s such a good story you won’t be able to look away - much like the park itself.

Conceived by Eugene Mulvihill - a man who scoffed at regulations with pride - Action Park opened its doors in 1978. Its outrageous rides regularly caused the patrons injury. Very much a product of its time, many who grew up in New Jersey have fond memories of their visits and time working there - but not all.

Action Park was a place just waiting to be turned into a documentary (it also inspired 2018’s Action Point) for so many reasons. The reality of this place is too crazy to be made up. Think Pleasure Island from Pinocchio but with adults joining in the fun, mooning, drugs, severe injuries, and no magic. It’s a ghetto Disneyland meets Lord of the Flies and even when you think you’ve heard it all, that it can’t get worse, that nothing could surprise you, former lifeguards, security directors, patrons - or parents of patrons - will tell you something that’ll make you tip your hat to the audacity displayed.

Class Action Park makes you think “You would’ve never seen me step a foot in there” while also showing you its allure. The now grown-up teens who worked there are having a great time telling us why no one should’ve gone. You can tell, they kind of miss it and treasure these stories as favorites to bring up at parties to impress everyone listening. You find yourself feeling oddly nostalgic for the place, or at least what it represents. Now that you know which rides and slides were the worst, you wouldn’t have gone on the Cannonball Loop, the Colorado River, or the “Grave Pool”. You would’ve stayed where it was “safe” and remained an observer to be part of the story without endangering yourself.

And then, the movie snaps you back to reality by showing you the faces most tragically affected by Action Park. We learn about why rules and regulations are important, and what happens when people who have money and influence carelessly toss them aside. It’s funny to see it all unfold from a distance but the testimony of Esther Larsson brings you in the intimate middle of it. Suddenly, things aren’t as darkly funny as they used to be, which adds substance to the program.

I do have some criticisms towards the production of this doc. At several points, scenes or aspects of the park are simulated via cartoons. Cheap, ugly, quickly-rendered cartoons that would turn anyone off of this film if it weren't for the subject. Someone couldn't have thrown a bit of money their way? really?

Though Class Action Park isn't earth-shattering or profound, it tells a great story - one you won't easily forget. It informs, makes you want to learn more, and entertains. It's fascinating and horrifying at once. (April 21, 2021)