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The other day I decided to make a list of ten of the best action films I’ve ever seen.
Now, many people seem to look upon action films with little respect, as if they aren’t films worthy of notice. I personally feel this is wrong. A great action film seems to be just as hard to make and get right as a great drama, comedy or low-key science fiction film. It is more than just explosions and gunfire. As any action film fan will tell you, there are a lot of action films with these ingredients, but they require much more than this to be a great action film. To put it another way, you know when you’re watching a classic action film and when you’re not. Like any good film of a particular genre, if it thrills and evolves you then it is doing something right. So, like any good of a particular genre, I feel great action films should be treated with more respect, with snobbish film critic no longer looking down their noses upon them.
Anyway, here are my top ten action films of all time (in no particular order).
1. The Getaway (the original version with Steve McQueen)
2. The Rock
3. Face / Off
4. Desperados
5. Hard Boiled
6. Jackie Chan’s Who I am?
7. A Better Tomorrow
8. The Matrix
9. The Killer
10. Die Hard
I challenge anyone to come up with a better top ten, as this is surely the best.
Now, many people seem to look upon action films with little respect, as if they aren’t films worthy of notice. I personally feel this is wrong. A great action film seems to be just as hard to make and get right as a great drama, comedy or low-key science fiction film. It is more than just explosions and gunfire. As any action film fan will tell you, there are a lot of action films with these ingredients, but they require much more than this to be a great action film. To put it another way, you know when you’re watching a classic action film and when you’re not. Like any good film of a particular genre, if it thrills and evolves you then it is doing something right. So, like any good of a particular genre, I feel great action films should be treated with more respect, with snobbish film critic no longer looking down their noses upon them.
Anyway, here are my top ten action films of all time (in no particular order).
1. The Getaway (the original version with Steve McQueen)
2. The Rock
3. Face / Off
4. Desperados
5. Hard Boiled
6. Jackie Chan’s Who I am?
7. A Better Tomorrow
8. The Matrix
9. The Killer
10. Die Hard
I challenge anyone to come up with a better top ten, as this is surely the best.
I'd say that Indiana Jones counts as action. I've been quite liberal in my definition of action in my posts, as north by northwest and mission:impossible would probably be called thriller and action thriller respectively.
My view is if its got action sequences in it, its probably action. Hence north by northwest (A car chase, the crop dusting bit) and mission impossible (The bit at the start, the abseiling section, etc).
My view is if its got action sequences in it, its probably action. Hence north by northwest (A car chase, the crop dusting bit) and mission impossible (The bit at the start, the abseiling section, etc).
I can only thing of 8 really good action films so here goes (In no particular order.
Carlito's way
A believable story, with some action, but all of it relevant to the plot, and good tension. We feel genuine empathy for Carlito, and the contradictions of his criminal connections, and his going straight are well played out. The climax is very well done, and suprising at the end. A film that made me think about it for a while afterwards.
Face/off
The story is a bit unlikely but I can suspend disbelief, as the film carried me with it. The interaction between Cage and Travolta was brimming with tension, and the story is well developed, and the action is breathtaking with brilliant stunts and camera work.
Mission-Impossible
The mission impossible francise was not wasted on this. The plot keeps you on your toes, and has enough twists and turns to keep it interesting, and there is plenty of tension. The action sequences were very well done.
Goldfinger
There actually is not all that much action in this, but the action in it is well done. The gadgets are typically inventive. There are classic moments that I will not forget. The best is the 'golden girl' sequence, where a girl is covered in gold paint, and suffocates.
North by Northwest
I didn't think this is neccesarily the best of hitchcock, but it certainly it best than the average. It also has a sense of humour, sometimes lacking from thrillers or action films. I think it is gripping, and cary grant plays his part very well.
Goldeneye
Pierce Brosnan's first go at bond, and he shows that he has the talent to match the role. The pre-credits bit is memorable, and relevant to the plot, and the action all follow the story. There is buckets of action, and the plot is interesting. This also has the trademark bond sense of humour. The main disappointment is the end music, which is not at all like a bond theme. The climax is done well, and shows bonds tough aggressive side, and how ruthless he can be when he needs to be.
Medusa's tear
A film about a man who gets his wife (or ex-wife and can't remember) to put a bomb on her plane, and take it to washington (I think, it hard to remember) Very unusual, but quite intriqing. I don't think this was a box office success, but I'm not sure. I'm not sure if there's was enough action to make it an action film but anyway.
The World is not enough
I was disappointed with Tommorow never dies, but The world is not enough made up for it. The action was top notch, and the plot was quite developed, and had quite a number of suprises. The bond sense of humour was shown again here, and the film does not take itself too seriously, but the tension is not destoyed. The down part is probably denise rirchards as the nuclear physicist, but I'll let that pass, as the baddies are suitably over the top. Judi Dench's M is also just as good as before.
Carlito's way
A believable story, with some action, but all of it relevant to the plot, and good tension. We feel genuine empathy for Carlito, and the contradictions of his criminal connections, and his going straight are well played out. The climax is very well done, and suprising at the end. A film that made me think about it for a while afterwards.
Face/off
The story is a bit unlikely but I can suspend disbelief, as the film carried me with it. The interaction between Cage and Travolta was brimming with tension, and the story is well developed, and the action is breathtaking with brilliant stunts and camera work.
Mission-Impossible
The mission impossible francise was not wasted on this. The plot keeps you on your toes, and has enough twists and turns to keep it interesting, and there is plenty of tension. The action sequences were very well done.
Goldfinger
There actually is not all that much action in this, but the action in it is well done. The gadgets are typically inventive. There are classic moments that I will not forget. The best is the 'golden girl' sequence, where a girl is covered in gold paint, and suffocates.
North by Northwest
I didn't think this is neccesarily the best of hitchcock, but it certainly it best than the average. It also has a sense of humour, sometimes lacking from thrillers or action films. I think it is gripping, and cary grant plays his part very well.
Goldeneye
Pierce Brosnan's first go at bond, and he shows that he has the talent to match the role. The pre-credits bit is memorable, and relevant to the plot, and the action all follow the story. There is buckets of action, and the plot is interesting. This also has the trademark bond sense of humour. The main disappointment is the end music, which is not at all like a bond theme. The climax is done well, and shows bonds tough aggressive side, and how ruthless he can be when he needs to be.
Medusa's tear
A film about a man who gets his wife (or ex-wife and can't remember) to put a bomb on her plane, and take it to washington (I think, it hard to remember) Very unusual, but quite intriqing. I don't think this was a box office success, but I'm not sure. I'm not sure if there's was enough action to make it an action film but anyway.
The World is not enough
I was disappointed with Tommorow never dies, but The world is not enough made up for it. The action was top notch, and the plot was quite developed, and had quite a number of suprises. The bond sense of humour was shown again here, and the film does not take itself too seriously, but the tension is not destoyed. The down part is probably denise rirchards as the nuclear physicist, but I'll let that pass, as the baddies are suitably over the top. Judi Dench's M is also just as good as before.
I think I could beat that:
1. Carlitos Way (Brian De Palma's 'sequal' to number 3)
2. Matrix (Mind bollowing special FX and deeper than it looks)
3. Scar Face (De Palma showing the world what he's made of)
4. Seventh Samurai (A benchmark action film, very watchable and brilliant directing)
5. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Beautiful choreotography, watchable and beautiful)
6. Apocalypse Now (Coppola and Brando establishing themselves as the best)
7. The Killer (John Woo at his best, Chow yun Fat at his best)
8. Tai ji Zhang San Feng (Mindless fun)
9. Full Metal Jacket (Kubrick doing his thing)
10. Yojimbo (Akira Kurosawa doing another Samurai movie. Probably one of the best storytellers ever)
That's it.
1. Carlitos Way (Brian De Palma's 'sequal' to number 3)
2. Matrix (Mind bollowing special FX and deeper than it looks)
3. Scar Face (De Palma showing the world what he's made of)
4. Seventh Samurai (A benchmark action film, very watchable and brilliant directing)
5. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Beautiful choreotography, watchable and beautiful)
6. Apocalypse Now (Coppola and Brando establishing themselves as the best)
7. The Killer (John Woo at his best, Chow yun Fat at his best)
8. Tai ji Zhang San Feng (Mindless fun)
9. Full Metal Jacket (Kubrick doing his thing)
10. Yojimbo (Akira Kurosawa doing another Samurai movie. Probably one of the best storytellers ever)
That's it.
The other day I decided to make a list of ten of the best action films I’ve ever seen.
Now, many people seem to look upon action films with little respect, as if they aren’t films worthy of notice. I personally feel this is wrong. A great action film seems to be just as hard to make and get right as a great drama, comedy or low-key science fiction film. It is more than just explosions and gunfire. As any action film fan will tell you, there are a lot of action films with these ingredients, but they require much more than this to be a great action film. To put it another way, you know when you’re watching a classic action film and when you’re not. Like any good film of a particular genre, if it thrills and evolves you then it is doing something right. So, like any good of a particular genre, I feel great action films should be treated with more respect, with snobbish film critic no longer looking down their noses upon them.
Anyway, here are my top ten action films of all time (in no particular order).
1. The Getaway (the original version with Steve McQueen)
2. The Rock
3. Face / Off
4. Desperados
5. Hard Boiled
6. Jackie Chan’s Who I am?
7. A Better Tomorrow
8. The Matrix
9. The Killer
10. Die Hard
I challenge anyone to come up with a better top ten, as this is surely the best.
Now, many people seem to look upon action films with little respect, as if they aren’t films worthy of notice. I personally feel this is wrong. A great action film seems to be just as hard to make and get right as a great drama, comedy or low-key science fiction film. It is more than just explosions and gunfire. As any action film fan will tell you, there are a lot of action films with these ingredients, but they require much more than this to be a great action film. To put it another way, you know when you’re watching a classic action film and when you’re not. Like any good film of a particular genre, if it thrills and evolves you then it is doing something right. So, like any good of a particular genre, I feel great action films should be treated with more respect, with snobbish film critic no longer looking down their noses upon them.
Anyway, here are my top ten action films of all time (in no particular order).
1. The Getaway (the original version with Steve McQueen)
2. The Rock
3. Face / Off
4. Desperados
5. Hard Boiled
6. Jackie Chan’s Who I am?
7. A Better Tomorrow
8. The Matrix
9. The Killer
10. Die Hard
I challenge anyone to come up with a better top ten, as this is surely the best.