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I’m continuing my journey through the Top-100 (Must-See) Action Movies from the 1990s in this third episode covering movies #80-71.

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80. The Hard Way (1991)

Coming in at #80 is a forgotten action flick with hilarious waves of comedy. It stars Michael J. Fox as Hollywood’s most spoiled movie star, and James Woods as New York’s angriest cop. And the only way these two are going to get along is, The Hard Way from 1991 directed by John Badham.

I think this movie still holds up over the years because of the delightfully bristly chemistry between Fox and Woods. The story is well-paced and able to effectively balance strong humor with all the action as a killer called the “Party Crasher” strikes the Big Apple. Fox is humorous as a whiny actor coming out to N.Y. to research for a role that will give his career validity. With Woods delivering a world-class performance as a burnt-out detective that’s perpetually enraged. I think the script fills the story with just enough subplots and the supporting cast with names like Annabella Sciorra, Luiz Guzman, Stephen Lang, and LL Cool J, easily elevating their roles. With the practical stunt work giving this one a lasting visual appeal along with a vibrant finale that’s more than satisfying.

79. Eraser (1996)

Moving #79 is the first Arnold sighting on the list. In this one he would play a U.S. Marshal deputy that can erase your past to protect your future and that’s what he would do in the adrenaline pumping thriller Eraser from 1996 directed by Chuck Russell.

Now you could really consider this to be Arnold’s last big box-office hit that wasn’t Terminator or other known franchises. And really despite the flashy technology on display, and its (at the time) cutting edge special effects, this is a film that came out about 8-10 years too late. It has a very strong 80s progression and vibe to it, then you get these bold splashes of digital-effects typical of the mid to late 90s that hold up modestly. Yet there is something fun and mindless about this movie. Arnold and Vanessa Williams are not that good together, but James Caan is an enthusiastic villain. But what makes this movie fun is the action. Eraser gives Arnold tons to do from taking out guys by hand, to diving out of planes, to shooting alligators, to wielding massive weapons Commando style Arnold is never not commanding the scream and it holds up.

78. Nikita (1990)

My #78 pick is a French action thriller. Its American remake Point of No Return has already been mentioned on this list. This original is written and directed by Luc Besson and features a new kind of lethal weapon. She has no fear, she’s sweet, she’s loving, and she kills in 1990’s Nikita, also known as La Femme Nikita starring Anne Parillaud.

I think this movie delivers a riveting blend of psychological thriller and full-out action romp as a woman is forced into training to be an assassin. Parillaud’s performance is perfect for this plot as she goes through the ups-and-downs of the life thrown at her. She has a vulnerability during the softer, quieter moments and as she evolves into an assassin Parillaud showcases all the needed range to believe as being a viable killing machine. The story provides more than enough intrigue and I think that elevates the uneasiness of the gritty action. Besson directs the hell out of the action sequences with killer practical effects. It doesn’t always go smoothly for her; she routinely is forced to adapt, and it makes this movie much more engaging as you root for this character to succeed against waves of enemies resulting in elegant violence that makes this movie unique to its own.

77. Sniper (1993)

Next up at #77 is certainly a forgotten military action thriller. The tagline was, one shot, one kill, no exceptions, and the movie is 1993’s Sniper from director Luis Llosa starring Tom Berenger and Billy Zane as snipers behind enemy lines.

To me Sniper is one of the strong action films from the early 90s that doesn’t get mentioned as often as it should. It’s a familiar progression inside the world of military themed missions but the world of snipers is explored more than enough to add unique layering to what otherwise would be a turn-and-burn action romp. It’s not necessarily deep, but it’s filled with suspense and it’s a surprisingly effective psychological thriller at times which I think blends well with the charged performances from Berenger and Zane. A veteran sniper is paired with an NSC agent to take out a South American politician and it’s a thrilling ride. The jungle locations are immersive and the direction from Llosa is fantastic. Sniper is a movie that can keep you on the edge of your seat, it has characters you can connect with, and when the intensity ramps up the violence is plenty satisfying.

76. Maximum Risk (1996)

Coming in at #76 is an undermentioned action thriller with a gritty international setting starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as a man searching for the killer of a twin brother, he never knew he had, and the closer he gets to the truth, the closer he gets to the edge in 1996’s Maximum Risk directed by Ringo Lam and co-starring Natasha Henstridge.

This movie was a mild success towards the end of Van Damme’s run, and I think it gets a bad rap. On paper it’s a pretty basic plot that feels like it was pulled from the 80s. But on the other hand, when you watch it there is much more to Maximum Risk. Ringo Lam’s direction is solid, he does the action extremely well with a practical focus. The international locales give the plot an immersive and gritty vibe and it all works. Van Damme’s a bit toned down here but he pairs well with Henstridge on this mission for answers. You can tell Van Damme attempts to bring a nuanced performance here which doesn’t always work but when the action is at full speed it’s a delight. Lam frames the chase and fight sequences extremely well and despite not being one of Van Damme’s flashier flicks Maximum Risk provides some of the more violent and complex fight choreography of his run in the 90s.

75. Hard to Kill (1990)

Next up at #75 is an iconic early 90s gem about an L.A. detective left for dead by hired assassins. He waited for seven years to even the score because this detective is Hard to Kill from 1990 starring Steven Seagal, William Sadler, and Kelly LeBrock.

This was Seagal’s second film, and he definitely delivered all you could hope for from an action star. Outside of running with any trace of masculinity. Yet Hard to Kill remains a charming showcase of Seagal’s skills in Aikido as he takes dudes out in a variety of pleasantly and brutally violent ways. This essentially feels like an 80s action movie down to its corny amnesia plot line. But despite its hilarity this is a sound action film. It delivers a buffet of hyper-violence, endless waves of bravado, and Seagal dropping cheesy one-liners like a veteran of the genre. Plus being one of his earlier films, Seagal’s ego had yet to hit the stratosphere, so he takes a beating from the bad guys when needed which makes his turn at redemption that much more rewarding with William Sadler providing this movie with the truly slimy villain it needed.

74. Assassins (1995)

My #74 film features one of the all-time action icons and another hot up and comer in Hollywood who would star as professional hitmen from different generations that would face off in 1995’s Assassins directed by Richard Donner.

Stallone was sort of hit-and-miss at the box-office during this era of the 90s and much like his performance in The Specialist the year prior he feels a bit lifeless compared to his action icon status. He serves the needs of this film and with Donner’s direction there is a sleek, polished vibe. It’s a playfully violent game of cat-and-mouse between assassins from different generations and what makes this movie so much fun is the endlessly vibrant performance from Antonio Banderas who effortlessly steals this movie. Without him Assassins would feel bland, and a bit flat tonally. However, Banderas, from his delivery to his mannerisms, expressions, and sadistic mischievousness is one of the better action movie villains from the 90s with this performance. Stallone and Banderas go toe-to-toe throughout and it gives Assassins a thrilling and highly engaging pace that can lure you in.

73. Air Force One (1997)

Moving along to #73 is a great little action flick centered on the most important man in the country, aboard the surest plane technology can create, that also happens to be filled with the most dangerous hijackers in the world when Harrison Ford played the president in 1997’s Air Force One also starring Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, and William H. Macy.

Now is this movie simply a Die Hard re-tread on a plane? Certainly. However, it goes through the motions of the contained action thriller formula with precision and the political angle with Ford as the President is certainly enough to heighten the stakes. Ford goes all-in on this performance. He feels presidential, yet when the situation calls, he’s more than capable as an action hero. Glenn Close, Dean Stockwell, and William H. Macy all leave strong impressions. And Gary Oldman holds his own next to Ford in terms of gravitas as the villain. It’s a quickly paced story that sticks to the basics, and there’s no denying Air Force One is built on recycled elements, but it can still easily engage you with its nicely crafted action as Ford fights to save his family, all while thousands of feet in the air.

72. The Corruptor (1999)

I have a gritty action thriller for my #72 movie. If you have a secret, he knows it. If you have a weakness, he exploits it. And if you have anything good in you, he destroys it…That’s why they call him The Corruptor from 1999 starring Chow Yun-Fat and Mark Wahlberg.

This is one of those movies that has a seedy vibe that is able to complement its subject matter extremely well. It’s an escape into the criminal underworld of Chinatown with Chow Yun-Fat and Mark Wahlberg serving up an effective duo with their uneasy rapport. This was when Hollywood was making its push for Chow Yun-Fat as an action hero, and he delivered. This movie is filled with twists and turns, plenty of bold and eccentric characters, and a capable blend of tense action. Wahlberg is fine. He doesn’t necessarily command the screen or anything, however Chow Yun-Fat carries the charm and intrigue for both of them. The Corruptor is a cop thriller where there aren’t really any good guys which I think gives the film a unique twist and when the bullets are flying, and the gritty violence takes center stage this is a movie that can keep you on edge and invested in the arcs of the two leads.

71. Drop Zone (1994)

There’s something dangerous in the air with my #71 movie. A supercharged film filled with stunt work that took crime to new heights, and that film would be 1994’s Drop Zone starring Wesley Snipes, Yancy Butler, and Gary Busey. From director John Badham.

Now I’ll assume I like this movie more than many. It’s a traditional action thriller with a heist and revenge at the core but it’s all nestled nicely into the world of skydiving to create a ride filled with suspense, visually appealing action fueled by practical stunt work, Gary Busey as the eccentric villain and Snipes front and center. There’s a charming summer atmosphere to this movie I always enjoy, and I appreciate the unique elements it stitches onto this tried-and-true action formula. Snipes is charming and driven to find the killer of his brother and the inevitable clash but Busy is a fun build-up. Busey isn’t completely unhinged here but he’s close enough to fill the vibe of a maniacal villain. Snipes gets his time to fight it out with the bad guys and the practical effects and vibrant scoring in Drop Zone make it a charismatic summer romp in the skies.

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Anthony J. Digioia II © 2024 

SilverScreen Analysis & Movies Never Say Die!