Best Action-Genre Flicks of past 25 years

[CoolWhip11]

I have composed a list of the best action flicks of the past 25 years. Now, many movies you think should be on the list WON'T be, and that's because they are probably not TRUE action movies.
Check out my site: whipwrites.blogspot.com and let me know what ya think.
10. "Marked for Death" / "Hard to Kill"
9. "Lethal Weapon"
8, "The Terminator"
7. "Die Hard"
6. "Aliens"
5. "Bloodsport" / "Kickboxer"
4. "Desperado"
3. "Commando"
2. "Predator"
1. "T2"

Ok, that list probably pisses a lot of people off, but listen. First off, no foreign movies were included (so Woo flicks are left off, even though they may have the best ACTION in them). There's a bunch of Arnold, but wouldn't an NBA all-time great list have a lot of Jordan?
These are not the best movies with action in them, as many might include Bladerunner (which is sci-fi) in that list.
Also, "The Matrix" was deliberately left off. Even though the action is perhaps the best, it is not an action movie in my eyes. Much more emphasis is on plot, and themes. Where as I feel that all the movies I listed the plot was secondary (yes, even the Terminators).
My list is not completed on the site, and I have a lot more explanations coming. Let me know what ya think

[LordSimen]

Can we posts our own lists? If so:

10. Die Hard: With a Vengeance
9. Terminator 3
8. Speed
7. Predator
6. Lethal Weapon
5. Con Air
4. Die Hard
3. Aliens
2. Terminator 2
1. Face/Off

[Badbird]

You can't make a list of "action movies" and not have John Woo. What was that you said about leaving Jordan out of NBA discussion? And you can't pussyfoot around because of the sci-fi thing. Blade Runner may be pushing it, but The Matrix is an action movie. Plain and simple.

Any movie with a heavy emphasis on action is an action movie. And I'm sorry, but Aliens, as well as The Terminator/T2, is very plot driven - even more so than The Matrix.

Equilibrium owns all those movies.

2 - Face/Off
3 - The Matrix
4 - The Rock
5 - The Crow
6 - Predator 2
7 - Speed
8 - Die Hard
9 - T2
10 - True Lies

And so on...

[CoolWhip11]

I left Woo movies out simply because my list is American Cinema, and I view Hong Kong action flicks as an entity unto themselves. I feel BladeRunner is sci-fi, and is almost the defininition of sci-fi. "Alien" definately is sci-fi as well, but "Aliens" is all about setting up scenarios for them to battle the aliens.
As far as "The Matrix" goes, I think it's open to debate, but it does not fall under pure action movie to me. But, anyone can make a strong case for it to be seen as one. It definately had some of the best action sequences, but it is missing in that rawness that pure action flicks possess. Basically, I'm talking about action-genre films, and "Matrix" is not an action-genre film. The emphasis of the script is on themes, and character development - and this is evidenced even more throughout the sequels. Thanks for your input, but we'll have to agree to disagree.
A movie isn't action-genre just because it has action. My list is not the best movies with action in them. How the hell could I include Segal and Van Damme then? The list is the best action-genre films.

[Frank the Tank]

T2
Predator
True Lies
The Matrix
Face/Off
The Crow
First Blood

[robk]

NIce choices, but how can anyone not mention the 3 Indiana Jones films?

[mcquade]

Originally posted by CoolWhip11
10. "Marked for Death" / "Hard to Kill"
5. "Bloodsport" / "Kickboxer"

all four of these movies are horrible choices. maybe i could force myself to agree with your seagal choices because they are listed at 10(although personally i would put under siege before those 2)
but bloodsport and kickboxer? these are both ok movies, but they arent even van damme's best give me universal soldier,maximum risk , timecop and sudden death over those 2 movies any day of the week.
and if you are going to include multiple arnolds because he is the jordan, then where is stallone, the "larry bird" of action movies - none of the rambo's made your list and neither did cobra,demolition man, or cliffhanger
what about the fugitive, a movie so good it was nominated for multiple oscars, including best picture.
as for your matrix argument you shoot that in the foot yourself when you included t2 and aliens on the list.

[Cronos]

heres 10 of my favourites

The Killer
Hard Boiled
Predator
True Lies
Equilibrium
The Crow
First Blood
The Rock
T2
Aliens

[cerealkiller182]

the poast 2 years is pretty broad. thats hard to say. i have to say the best action flick is die hard. he was really the first action hero to really get hurt and bleed. he brought a sense of reality to the character with his a mix of both smugness and dead-seriousness.

[morricone]

Originally posted by cerealkiller182
the poast 2 years is pretty broad. thats hard to say. i have to say the best action flick is die hard. he was really the first action hero to really get hurt and bleed. he brought a sense of reality to the character with his a mix of both smugness and dead-seriousness.

What?

The first? That's definitely pushing it. Countless action stars have actually bled and have gotten hurt. To say that he's the first doesn't make any freaking sense.

[rufio]

the first and main one that comes to my mind is Desperado

[LordSimen]

Originally posted by CoolWhip11
I left Woo movies out simply because my list is American Cinema

Films like Broken Arrow, Face/Off and Paycheck are all films by John Woo that are a part of American Cinema.

[Terror Australis]

The Matrix
Die Hard
Speed
Face/Off
Aliens
Terminator 1 & 2
True Lies

[SAI]

Originally posted by LordSimen
Films like Broken Arrow, Face/Off and Paycheck are all films by John Woo that are a part of American Cinema.
True but they are all a million miles from his best work. And don't even get me started on Windtalkers

[bigred760]

Helllooooo - Raiders of the Lost Ark - the movie that started it all. I do think that The Matrix, Die Hard, and T2: Judgement Day deserve to be on the list(s) as well.

[CoolWhip11]

I'm sorry, but you definately don't understand what a TRUE action movie is. Again, just because it has action in it, doesn't make it a pure action-genre movie. And AGAIN, not the best MOVIES with action, but the best ACTION movies. There is a massive difference.
Action Adventure is not what I'm taking into account. Movies such as the Indiana Jones series does not qualify (although these are great flicks). As far as bashing on my Segal/Van Damme choices. I took the most true to Action-Genre flicks they were in.
Please read my entire posts/replies before jumping at me. Because as of now, we are comparing apples and oranges.

[bigred760]

Originally posted by CoolWhip11
I'm sorry, but you definately don't understand what a TRUE action movie is. Again, just because it has action in it, doesn't make it a pure action-genre movie. And AGAIN, not the best MOVIES with action, but the best ACTION movies. There is a massive difference.
Action Adventure is not what I'm taking into account. Movies such as the Indiana Jones series does not qualify (although these are great flicks). As far as bashing on my Segal/Van Damme choices. I took the most true to Action-Genre flicks they were in.
Please read my entire posts/replies before jumping at me. Because as of now, we are comparing apples and oranges.


Whatever man.

Apparently your definition of an action movie differs from mine; "TRUE" or not, there is plenty of action in Raiders of the Lost Ark; now if just because they take place in a few different countries and decided that plot was a damn cool thing to have in a movie, it doesn't make it any less of an action movie.

And plot was not given a backseat in T2: Judgement Day or Die Hard; both those movies are filled with story and character. They just blend so well with the action, that it's hard to notice. And if you're looking for movies that do throw in lots of action at the expense of plot - you might've wanted to throw in a few James Bond movies that have come out over the last few years.

[CoolWhip11]

*sigh* Action movies NOT adventure movies. Am I mispelling it or something? And I apologize, I made a mistake when I said I'm not including Woo films - I should have been more specific and said Hong Kong Woo films. I know Woo films, hell, I worked on Paycheck!
Anyways, check out http://whipwrites.blogspot.com for more on this. Obviously, we're all just going to have to agree to disagree. Bond movies, aren't action-genre films either.
Why do you read my posts, and say "well, I know these aren't your definintion of 'true' action films but..." you're answering yourself there. C'mon, are there any genre-heads out there?
Ohh, and if you think Broken Arrow deserves to be mentioned as an all-time classic action movie then...well, you must've seen some super-special raw director's cut that I didn't see.
To say that the emphasis on plot/character development is to the same effect in T2 and Die Hard, as in The Matrix...well, again, some special director's cut I guess. The Matrix has an unravelling plot, with twists and turns around every corner. In Die Hard, we know the terrorists are the bad guys period. In T2/The Terminator, we know, the robots are sending cyborgs back to kill mankind. It doesn't UNRAVEL, everything's just laid out. Now, the character's and story add to Terminator 2 to make it the greatest action film either. Combine that with revolutionary effects, and the all-time greatest action star, and you have the best.
Think about sequels in the Terminator series, and compare them to sequels in The Matrix. Notice how in the Matrix there are long dialogues about the meaning of Neo/Machines/Mankind etc.. LIke the conversations with the architect. Blatant questions. Whereas, a movie like T2 may delve into the same phiolosophical questions, but it is much more subversive - thus more emphasis on action.
Please! read before disregarding my list. Thank you

[Sigur509]

The Matrix Reloaded, again...

[mcquade]

Originally posted by CoolWhip11
I'm sorry, but you definately don't understand what a TRUE action movie is. Again, just because it has action in it, doesn't make it a pure action-genre movie. And AGAIN, not the best MOVIES with action, but the best ACTION movies. There is a massive difference.
Action Adventure is not what I'm taking into account. Movies such as the Indiana Jones series does not qualify (although these are great flicks). As far as bashing on my Segal/Van Damme choices. I took the most true to Action-Genre flicks they were in.
Please read my entire posts/replies before jumping at me. Because as of now, we are comparing apples and oranges.

Now your just being condescending. Look buddy i've been watching action movies since you were probably in pampers and either 'your' definition of an action movie doesn't make sense or your not explaining it correctly...so let's just look at your list ok?
10. "Marked for Death" / "Hard to Kill"
*decent movies but I would put "Under Siege" over both of these.
9. "Lethal Weapon"
*Great movie no question, although the absence of "The Road Warrior" is curious
8, "The Terminator"
*I love the original but if you are looking at pure action, and not acting or plot, well part 3 blows this away.
7. "Die Hard"
6. "Aliens"
*you must really have a hard on for Cameron, where's "True Lies"?
5. "Bloodsport" / "Kickboxer"
*These movies do not belong on this list, I own both and have watched them multiple times, Van Damme has gone on to make much better movies himself. But if you are looking at the martial arts genre then I would go with the recent "Unleashed", or any of Bruce Lee's work - specifically "Enter the Dragon" or "Game of Death". Also don't forget Jackie Chan who's "Supercop" or "Police Story" put Van Damme to shame.
4. "Desperado"
*A great movie in it's own right but It doesn't even contain the total action of "Bad Boys 2". For that matter where is Michael Bay? The volume of car chases, shootouts, fights and explosions in Armageddon, The Rock", "Bad Boys 1 or 2" far out weigh anthing on this list and it is all well staged and beautifully photographed.
3. "Commando"
*Good Movie but #3? "Rambo 2" puts this movie to shame.
2. "Predator"
*No argument
1. "T2"
*No Argument

Movie left out.
-"Face/Off" more bullets are fired in this film then any film on your list.
-"Point Break"this movie is all action
-"Top Gun"the greatest action film ever made in regards to flight
-"Mission Impossible 2"what many people hated about this movie should put it on your list, a disregard for plot, the film concentrates on nothing but Cruise as an action star.
-'Lethal Weapon 4"a personal favorite with a great opening action set piece, a spectacular car chase, and a wonderful ending fight.
-"Heat"an action film diguised as crime drama a great opening heist, a top notch shootout and a great foot chase.
-"Leon:The Professional"let us not forget this timeless classic

[Deckard]

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
LEON : THE PROFESSIONAL
THE ASSIGNMENT
RONIN
THE KILLER
LETHAL WEAPON
FIRST BLOOD
DIE HARD
ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA
HEAT

[ilovemovies]

In no particular order:

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Lethal Weapon
Die Hard 2
Die Hard
Aliens
Terminator 2
Air Force One
The Fugitive
True Lies
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (yeah, I'm cheating a little by having all three together but that's what I'm doing)


Honorable mentions:

The Last Samurai
Lethal Weapon 2
Batman Begins
Daredevil
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Minority Report
Superman I & II
The Star Wars flicks
Star Trek: First Contact
Ronin

But the best action movie of all time hasn't come out yet. It will be: 24 the movie, when it is made and comes out! :)

[poopontheshoes7]

no order except for # 1

Die Hard
Die Hard With Avengence
Lethal Weapon
Batman Begins
The Matrix
SpiderMan 2
Aliens
First Blood
True Lies
Terminator
Unleashed
T2.Sin City (There a tie. I cant choose!)

[bigred760]

Originally posted by CoolWhip11
*sigh* Action movies NOT adventure movies. Am I mispelling it or something? And I apologize, I made a mistake when I said I'm not including Woo films - I should have been more specific and said Hong Kong Woo films. I know Woo films, hell, I worked on Paycheck!
Anyways, check out http://whipwrites.blogspot.com for more on this. Obviously, we're all just going to have to agree to disagree. Bond movies, aren't action-genre films either.
Why do you read my posts, and say "well, I know these aren't your definintion of 'true' action films but..." you're answering yourself there. C'mon, are there any genre-heads out there?
Ohh, and if you think Broken Arrow deserves to be mentioned as an all-time classic action movie then...well, you must've seen some super-special raw director's cut that I didn't see.
To say that the emphasis on plot/character development is to the same effect in T2 and Die Hard, as in The Matrix...well, again, some special director's cut I guess. The Matrix has an unravelling plot, with twists and turns around every corner. In Die Hard, we know the terrorists are the bad guys period. In T2/The Terminator, we know, the robots are sending cyborgs back to kill mankind. It doesn't UNRAVEL, everything's just laid out. Now, the character's and story add to Terminator 2 to make it the greatest action film either. Combine that with revolutionary effects, and the all-time greatest action star, and you have the best.
Think about sequels in the Terminator series, and compare them to sequels in The Matrix. Notice how in the Matrix there are long dialogues about the meaning of Neo/Machines/Mankind etc.. LIke the conversations with the architect. Blatant questions. Whereas, a movie like T2 may delve into the same phiolosophical questions, but it is much more subversive - thus more emphasis on action.
Please! read before disregarding my list. Thank you


I'm reading it; I'm just disagreeing with it - not necessarily disregarding.

[Deckard]

Just to be a bitch

If we are being completly anal about it.........................Aren't T2 & ALIENS Sci Fi genre films plain and simple?? They happen to have some action as well, but IMO are plot driven, every frame is Sci Fi.


DIE HARD & LETHAL WEAPON are crime genre or cop genre films??

Just curious where that invisible line is drawn