Class Action Park Review: A Dangerously Good Time

Release date: August 27, 2020
Running time: 90 minutes

Class Action Park is the first-ever feature-length documentary to explore the legend, legacy, and truth behind a place that long ago entered the realm of myth. To some, New Jersey's infamous Action Park was the most spectacularly fun amusement park on Earth: A place where unruly 1980s teenagers were given free rein to go gonzo on strange contraptions that seemed to violate the laws of common sense (and perhaps physics). To others, it was an ill-conceived death trap. One thing is sure: It's the type of place that will never exist again. Class actin park documents the accounts of those that worked there, those that had fun there, and those whose lives were permanently altered by that place to reveal the true story behind this dangerous amusement park.  

Class Action Park tells a pretty insane story, but backs it up with some amazing archival footage and accounts.  The footage shows both the thrilling rides and perils of some of the more questionable decisions that the park made.  And the interviews with the former park employees are enlightening.  They describe some of the terrible events that occurred in such frank detail that it is a little shocking.  There is one scene where people end up getting scratched up in a ride and the description for why was so shocking, you would think it would be the plot of a new horror movie.  And the fact that they lived through some of these accidents and deaths is even more shocking to see.  But it is when the emotional scenes occur that you really get your heartstrings pulled.  Some of the victims of Action Park have some heartbreaking stories to tell, which are laid bare in this documentary.  

The combination of the footage and witness accounts makes for a compelling story, but it is some of the reveals in the film that really make this a special documentary.  The ways that the founder was able to avoid liability and operate for so long are scary to see.  It really does harken back to different time and one that we will likely never see again.  And another thing that was interesting was to hear some of the employees describe the park with a sort of nostalgia, despite knowing that it was a death trap.  Maybe it is the time that has passed or the fondness of youth, but many of the former employees definitely remember their time at Action Park fondly.  And this is a central tension in the film: Action Park was decidedly dangerous and poorly maintained, but it also allowed for youth to be young and have fun.  Now often that fun would result in some sort of injury, but it still was a place with no rules.  It is an interesting dichotomy that this place lives in, a thrilling abusement park but also a place that never should have opened.

Class Action Park tells an unbelievable story with fantastic archival footage and first-hand accounts by those most affected by this fun and dangerous abusement park.

Watch it.

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following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube.  Class Action Park premieres on HBO Max on August 27.