The mythology and countless youtube dives into Action Park primed me for this documentary which, while enjoyable and shocking for much of its runtime, is still rather surfacy. Why, for instance, does it not deal with the fact that the son of the original park’s mad creator was able to reopen only a decade later? It’s enjoyable to see comedians talk about their time at the park, and former park employees reckon with their own time. The schism in tone with extended discussion of one of the park’s many deaths feels clumsy, especially ending on a drone pull back from a cemetery visit. I can’t help but think there’s a great movie or Fast Times at Ridgemont High style novel within this. Too bad Johnny Knoxville already proved a film not a money-maker.
