Class Action Park
Class Action Park

Class Action Park

2020Movie90 minEnglish

Class Action Park explores the legend, legacy, and truth behind the 1980s water park in Vernon, New Jersey that long ago entered the realm of myth. Known for its dangerous, unsupervised rides and lack of regulation, guests of Action Park expected to walk away with injuries and were lucky if they made it out alive. Shirking the trappings of nostalgia, the film uses investigative journalism, original animations, recordings, and interviews with the people who lived it to reveal the true story of Action Park.

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Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes76%
Metacritic61/100
Google Users86%
Director: Seth Porges, Chris Charles ScottGenres: Documentary, Comedy

Plot Summary

This documentary dives into the wild and often dangerous history of Action Park, a New Jersey amusement park notorious for its poorly constructed rides and lack of safety regulations. Through interviews with former employees, park-goers, and the park's controversial owner, it chronicles the park's chaotic existence from its opening in 1978 to its eventual closure. The film highlights the absurd and sometimes tragic incidents that occurred, painting a vivid picture of a place where fun often came at a steep price.

Critical Reception

Class Action Park received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its humor, nostalgic appeal, and candid exploration of the park's chaotic legacy. While some noted its tendency to sensationalize at times, most found it an entertaining and surprisingly thorough look at a unique piece of Americana. Audiences also responded well, appreciating the trip down memory lane and the sheer disbelief at the events depicted.

What Reviewers Say

  • A wildly entertaining and often hilarious look at one of America's most dangerous amusement parks.
  • Successfully captures the nostalgic, reckless spirit of Action Park while acknowledging its inherent dangers.
  • Features a great cast of interviewees who recount unbelievable stories with fitting disbelief and humor.

Google audience: Google users generally loved the documentary, with many praising its humor and the nostalgic journey back to their childhood experiences at Action Park. Reviewers frequently highlighted the unbelievable stories shared by former employees and patrons, and found the film to be a fun and engaging watch. Some users did note that the film could be a bit shocking due to the dangerous nature of the park.

Fun Fact

The documentary features an original song by the band "The Smithereens", who were from New Jersey and had a personal connection to the area where Action Park was located.

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