Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- energetic
- suspenseful
- lighthearted movie night
- 1980s nostalgia
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film's comic espionage premise muddled and clichéd, while acknowledging Whoopi Goldberg's energetic performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Terry's computer work unexpectedly makes her responsible for helping an endangered covert agent.
Terry's relationship with the unknown correspondent develops through coded computer messages rather than face-to-face contact.
The computer terminal exposes Terry to espionage, surveillance, coded communication, and pursuit.
Terry remains a wisecracking, improvisational presence while agents chase her and people are killed.
Films like Jumpin' Jack Flash, and why
The In-Laws
shares a witty fish-out-of-water heroine, espionage peril, romantic tension, and broad comedy
Charade
shares a civilian protagonist caught in an international spy conspiracy with comic suspense
The Man Who Knew Too Little
shares computer-age paranoia, an ordinary person pursued by intelligence operatives, and thriller-comedy momentum
Romancing the Stone
shares a resourceful woman navigating danger, mistaken identities, and romantic comedy conventions
Movie Details
- Director
- Penny Marshall
- Release Date
- 1986-10-09
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (401)
Cast
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Stephen Collins
- John Wood
- Carol Kane
- Annie Potts
- Peter Michael Goetz
- Roscoe Lee Browne
- Sara Botsford
- Jeroen Krabbé
- Vyto Ruginis
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Jumpin' Jack Flash about?
- A quick-witted bank computer worker is pulled into a deadly Cold War spy plot when a mysterious correspondent asks her to save his life.
- What is Jumpin' Jack Flash like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Jumpin' Jack Flash as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Jumpin' Jack Flash violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Jumpin' Jack Flash as moderate.
- What did critics think of Jumpin' Jack Flash?
- Critics broadly found the film's comic espionage premise muddled and clichéd, while acknowledging Whoopi Goldberg's energetic performance.
- Which films are like Jumpin' Jack Flash?
- Films with a similar feel include The In-Laws, Charade, The Man Who Knew Too Little, and Romancing the Stone.
- How long is Jumpin' Jack Flash?
- Jumpin' Jack Flash runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Jumpin' Jack Flash?
- In United States, Jumpin' Jack Flash is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
