There are plenty of exciting action movies which start to look a little ropey after a few years, but the best action classics can hold up after decades. Action movies tend to age particularly poorly, more so than other genres, so it’s rare to see a movie from the 1980s, 1970s or even 1960s that can still excite modern audiences.
Big stunts using practical effects can often look quaint and underwhelming after a while, as new filmmaking technology like CGI raises the bar. However, practical effects can also have a timeless quality if they are executed well. They can create fights and chase scenes that feel more weighty than any modern blockbuster.
First Bloodmay be about a Vietnam veteran’s struggles to adapt to society when he returns home, but it also explores some universal themes which make it just as compelling today.First Blood’s portrayal of disillusionment, PTSD and corruption is as relevant as ever.
The franchise resorted to formulaic ’80s action, butFirst Blooddefies this definition.
The first movie in theRambofranchise is relatively grounded and stripped down. It’s just as concerned with drama as it is with action, which explains why it has aged so much better than the explosive, high-body-count sequels that followed. The franchise resorted to formulaic ’80s action, butFirst Blooddefies this definition.
Die Hardis often cited as one of thebest action movies ever, and it sums up the appeal of the genre more than most. Without taking elements from other genres like sci-fi, crime or comedy,Die Harddelivers non-stop thrills, with Bruce Willis in top form as John McClane, a man in the wrong place at the wrong time who must fight his way out.
Die Hardis an extremely simple film in some ways, with a limited setting and a straightforward battle between a brave hero and a devious villain. However, it doesn’t need plot twists or complex storytelling, because it executes the fundamentals of the action genre so well.Die Hardcombines nerve-shredding tension with high-octane thrills.
Filmed on location in Turin,The Italian Jobsums up the sumptuous style of1960s heist movies. What makes it stand out from the crowd is the fact thatits thieves aren’t finely-dressed gentlemen like inOcean’s 11orThe Pink Panther.Instead, they’re brash British hooligans who treat their criminal caper like a boozed-up party.
The Italian Jobdeploys as much tension as all the best heists, but it still has time for some thoroughly satisfying action. The iconic getaway sequence, as the gang’s Mini Coopers barrel through the cobbled streets of Turin, strings together several jaw-dropping stunts.
Point Breakstars Keanu Reeves as an FBI agent named Johnny Utah who infiltrates a gang of bank robbers who bond over their passion for surfing. This may sound like a silly premise, in line with many other ’90s action classics, but Kathryn Bigelow makes it surprisingly immersive, emotional and profound.
It’s easy to watchPoint Breakand get sucked into the strange dynamic that unfolds between Reeves' FBI agent and Patrick Swayze’s philosophical bank robber, in which surfing is treated as a metaphor for self-actualization and freedom.The action scenes are enough to wipe away any skepticism over the movie’s premise, makingPoint Breakanunmissable heist thriller.
TheIndiana Jonesfranchisedraws heavily from classic adventure serials and old comic books, which partly explains why it has such timeless appeal.Raiders of the Lost Arkdoesn’t necessarily feel like a movie that’s rooted in the 1980s, because its influences are much older and its action is just as exciting as ever.
Steven Spielberg has always had an eye for big-screen spectacle, and he shows this off from the very first scene inRaiders of the Lost Ark.From Indy’s escape from a rolling boulder, Spielberg lets his audience know that they’re in for a relentlessly entertaining action-adventure, and he adds elements of romance, comedy and horror to ensure there’s never a dull moment.
Bullitthelped change action movies forever, as the late ’60s and early ’70s gave rise to a more violent and kinetic style of drama.The car chase sequence alone shows something completely different from any movie that had come before it, with big stunts that can still connect with modern audiences.
Steve McQueen’s enduring legend has only helped raise the profile of movies likeBullitt, ensuring that they still have an audience. This is good news, becauseBullitt’s stunts and practical effects shouldn’t be forgotten in a hurry. With an intriguing mystery plot to match,Bullitt’s action scenes also feel incredibly urgent.
Terminator 2: Judgment Daycontinues James Cameron’s career-long trend of pulling off things that people warned him not to even attempt. The cutting-edge visual effects are so far ahead of their time thatTerminator 2looks much better than some movies that were made 10 or even 20 years later.
Aside from the impressive visuals and the sci-fi worldbuilding,Terminator 2is also commendable for its remarkable action scenes.WhileThe Terminatorwas more of a tense thriller,Terminator 2is an unrestricted action blockbuster, with scenes like the motorbike chase and the office shootout still powerful enough to shock audiences today.
The Matrixarrived like a wrecking ball to the sci-fi genre, but it also shocked the action genre simultaneously.The Wachowskis use their cerebral sci-fi premise to deliver some unbelievably creative fight scenes, but the action still feels urgent and kinetic despite the near-weightless wire-fu and Neo’s gradual ascent to godlike power.
The Matrix’s effects still hold up, but the Wachowski sisters also understand the importance of practical effects. A lot of the best fight scenes inThe Matrixare an inventive blend of both, which results in a unique style of action that can only work thanks toThe Matrix’s ability to lay the groundwork with its plot.
Dr. Nointroduced James Bond to the big screen with plenty of class but without much in the way of action.From Russia With LoveandGoldfingerrepresented a massive change in the next two years, retaining the character’s charms while ratcheting up the tension and adding in some brilliant fights and chases.
From Russia With Loveis still a contender for the verybestJames Bondmovie.It manages to couple a twisty espionage plot with some great action scenes, like the helicopter chase and the attack on Karim Bey in the Romani settlement. Of course, the earliestBondmovies have one or two questionable moments by today’s standards, butFrom Russia With Loveis still an enjoyable romp.
Enter the Dragonproves that there’s no substitute for genuine talent, especially not in the action genre. Bruce Lee’s masterpiece is filmed with enough flair to enhance the drama, but the incredible fighting skills on display don’t require any editing or camera trickery.
Enter the Dragonproves that there’s no substitute for genuine talent.
Enter the Dragonrepresents a blend of East and West, since the plot seems to take inspiration fromJames Bondand other spy movies. Within this framework, Lee has plenty of room to innovate. The fight scenes are crafted with such intensity and power that they would seem impossible if not for Lee’s immense talent.
