I thought I would start this topic to see what members here view as the best action movies ever made. It can be adventure, martial arts, sci-fi, thriller, anything with action elements. Just go for the ones that you would tend to rewatch time and time again.
Here's my list.
* PREDATOR
Probably Schwarzenegger's best film, where he finds himself and his commando buddies, kneedeep in barbaric, dreadlocked, skull collecting alien territory. The best thing about the film is the tension/suspense level, which is consistent throughout the movie, and the eerie jungle setting fuels this spectacularly. Very well done action, in particular, the raid on the camp at the start.
* LETHAL WEAPON
The original and best buddy/buddy cop movie which introduced the inspired pairing of the pychotic Mel Gibson with the stable, ageing Danny Glover. What works so well in this film is the duos' chemistry, where they can bounce off wise cracks yet have depth and make you feel for their characters. The shootouts and fights are well staged, and Gary Busey makes for a suitably disturbed villain.
* GOLDFINGER
Arguably, the best Bond film ever, mainly because it introduced the formulae that we know so well and love about the franchise. The excellent pre-credit teaser, the meglomaniac villain, his OTT henchman, the extravagent sets and the big budget finale. Pure brilliance. It also boasts Sean Connery at his most iconic and also the gadget laden Astin Martin DB5. Oh yeah, and Pussy Galore............
* RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II
It may be looked down upon by critics, but the truth is you would go far to find more kinetic, explosive, cinematic mayhem than in this movie. Stallone is at his monosylibbic best, on a mission to find missing POWs in Vietnam, where he gets captured, tortured via electocution by Steven Berkoff, breaks out, shoots and blows apart anything in sight. Best scene must surely be the demise of the Vietnamise general, who gets blown to pieces by one of John Rambo's explosive tipped arrows.
* DIRTY HARRY
Probably the most influential cop film this side of "Bullitt", where we witness an none more iconic Clint Eastwood mutter the immortal "Do you feel lucky? Well do ya punk?" line. You can trace even the most recent cop film back to this classic and its hateful, pychopathic villain (then fresh) is something of a cliche now. Spawned four sequels, none of them as good as this one. The closest in my opinion being "Sudden Impact".
* TERMINATOR 2 :JUDGEMENT DAY
James Cameron's stylish, effects laden sequel is one of the few times where a sequel has surpassed the original. Sure, the first one may be the critical favourite, but I know myself that this is the more watchable film, mainly because of the excellent, non-stop action which very rarely lets up pace. The bit at the start where Arnie pins a guy to a pool table with a knife has to be seen to be believed and the shootout at Skynet is one of the best showcases for pyrotechnics ever committed to celluliod. Even the morphing effects of the T-1000 would put some of todays shoddy CGI to shame.
* DIE HARD
One of the best pure action films ever made and like all good movies and influenced practically every action film since it was made in 1988. What also appeals about this film is the fact that Bruce Willis is far from invincible and only ever gets away by the skin of his teeth. He racks up quite a few injuries during the film, and it is his vulnerability that sets his hero apart from a lot of the other main characters from action films of that era. Another key element that helps this film immensily is the claustraphobic feel of the sky scraper, which conspires against Willis' character which leaves him in some hairy situations (the fire reel scene). An untouchable classic.
Thats all for now, please add some of your own.
Peace.
MMCK2
Here's my list.
* PREDATOR
Probably Schwarzenegger's best film, where he finds himself and his commando buddies, kneedeep in barbaric, dreadlocked, skull collecting alien territory. The best thing about the film is the tension/suspense level, which is consistent throughout the movie, and the eerie jungle setting fuels this spectacularly. Very well done action, in particular, the raid on the camp at the start.
* LETHAL WEAPON
The original and best buddy/buddy cop movie which introduced the inspired pairing of the pychotic Mel Gibson with the stable, ageing Danny Glover. What works so well in this film is the duos' chemistry, where they can bounce off wise cracks yet have depth and make you feel for their characters. The shootouts and fights are well staged, and Gary Busey makes for a suitably disturbed villain.
* GOLDFINGER
Arguably, the best Bond film ever, mainly because it introduced the formulae that we know so well and love about the franchise. The excellent pre-credit teaser, the meglomaniac villain, his OTT henchman, the extravagent sets and the big budget finale. Pure brilliance. It also boasts Sean Connery at his most iconic and also the gadget laden Astin Martin DB5. Oh yeah, and Pussy Galore............
* RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II
It may be looked down upon by critics, but the truth is you would go far to find more kinetic, explosive, cinematic mayhem than in this movie. Stallone is at his monosylibbic best, on a mission to find missing POWs in Vietnam, where he gets captured, tortured via electocution by Steven Berkoff, breaks out, shoots and blows apart anything in sight. Best scene must surely be the demise of the Vietnamise general, who gets blown to pieces by one of John Rambo's explosive tipped arrows.
* DIRTY HARRY
Probably the most influential cop film this side of "Bullitt", where we witness an none more iconic Clint Eastwood mutter the immortal "Do you feel lucky? Well do ya punk?" line. You can trace even the most recent cop film back to this classic and its hateful, pychopathic villain (then fresh) is something of a cliche now. Spawned four sequels, none of them as good as this one. The closest in my opinion being "Sudden Impact".
* TERMINATOR 2 :JUDGEMENT DAY
James Cameron's stylish, effects laden sequel is one of the few times where a sequel has surpassed the original. Sure, the first one may be the critical favourite, but I know myself that this is the more watchable film, mainly because of the excellent, non-stop action which very rarely lets up pace. The bit at the start where Arnie pins a guy to a pool table with a knife has to be seen to be believed and the shootout at Skynet is one of the best showcases for pyrotechnics ever committed to celluliod. Even the morphing effects of the T-1000 would put some of todays shoddy CGI to shame.
* DIE HARD
One of the best pure action films ever made and like all good movies and influenced practically every action film since it was made in 1988. What also appeals about this film is the fact that Bruce Willis is far from invincible and only ever gets away by the skin of his teeth. He racks up quite a few injuries during the film, and it is his vulnerability that sets his hero apart from a lot of the other main characters from action films of that era. Another key element that helps this film immensily is the claustraphobic feel of the sky scraper, which conspires against Willis' character which leaves him in some hairy situations (the fire reel scene). An untouchable classic.
Thats all for now, please add some of your own.
Peace.
MMCK2
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