In this article were covering films 20-11. Another ten world class action movies with some top tier team-ups all that revolve around different themes, yet all deliver a buffet of wild action. So, let’s dive into it.
-
Demolition Man (1993)
Coming in at #20 is a movie that delivered the 21st Century’s most dangerous cop, and the 21st Century’s most ruthless criminal and those men would be Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes in 1993’s Demolition Man also starring Sandra Bullock from director Marco Brambilla.
Some may think Demolition Man is a bit too high on the list but at the time, the pairing of Stallone and Snipes was blockbuster cinema at its finest. Stallone ate this role up and chewed the scenery perfectly as an 80s hero pulled into the future. But really Snipes was the star of the show as the maniacal Simon Phoenix. Snipes was all-in on this performance; it’s completely over-the-top but in the hands of Snipes there’s a legitimacy to it that provided this film with a world class villain. And an action movie often is only as good as its heavy. But outside of the lead performances there’s a great ensemble cast led by Sandra Bullock and the worldbuilding of the future is totally nostalgic. Demolition Man is absolutely filled with all the genre cliches you know and love, but it doesn’t keep this movie from being inventive, unique, and ambitious. From the production design and wardrobes to the stunt work, this film and the action are impressive. Demolition Man was a fabric of pop culture in the 90s and it’s still one of the decade’s best.
-
Bad Boys (1995)
My #19 movie would take two of sitcoms biggest stars and after two-hours would turn them into viable action stars when Will Smith and Martin Lawrence would star in Bad Boys from director Michael Bay.
In 1995 Michael Bay would move from directing music videos to blockbuster action and his first film would go on to ignite a franchise still going to this day. Bad Boys would pair two sitcom stars and the result is one of the best action comedies of all time. Bad Boys first and foremost with its striking score and Bay’s thematic direction is able to build an inviting atmosphere of Miami and endless South Beach style. Then you get Smith and Lawrence who go together like peanut butter and jelly and the result was a film that could easily be considered the Lethal Weapon of the 90s. The humor is effortless, the adventurous plot as traditional as it is still feels unique and the pace is swift to easily sweep you up on the case with Lowry and Burnett. The practical action is awesome across the board from small to large scale gunfights, fist fights, chase sequences and a thrilling edge of your seat finale that exploded with adrenaline and still holds a place as one of the best action movie closings ever.
-
Face/Off (1997)
In order to catch him, he must become him. That was the tagline for my #18 movie. A big budget blockbuster that would take John Woo, John Travolta, and Nicolas Cage and stuff their endless personalities into one wild movie, and that movie would be 1997’s Face/Off.
Now Face/Off is a film that sounds absurd on paper and its premise was one that took years to finally get into production. But with John Woo directing and two iconically over-the-top actors in John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, what you get is a delightfully ridiculous action bonanza that’s as cheesy as it is amazing. Travolta and Cage are also perfectly cast as hero and villain who switch faces and battle one another for two hours. And with Woo directing you get enough stunt work, practical action, and explosive theatrics for two blockbuster action flicks. Popcorn cinema is Face/Off and in the summer of 95 this movie was everywhere, and people loved the silliness of it. Something that could have never been had Travolta and Cage not gone all-in on these roles. They are soaking up the scenery, both have their personalities dialed up to the max and it’s perfect for the tone of this self-indulgent action film that delivers a bit of it all and then some with a side of white doves.
-
Cliffhanger (1993)
Now my #17 movie is a film many may not put as high up on their lists but it’s an action thriller that delivers an avalanche of thrills and practical visuals that still hold up today. And that film would be 1993’s Cliffhanger starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Rooker, and John Lithgow, from director Renny Harlin.
Some may not put this film as high up on their list as me, but you have to appreciate the blend of practical stunt work and direction from Renny Harlan. Cliffhanger has a timeless visual appeal because of the mountain locations used for shooting where green screens would be used today. It’s a basic plot but the unique elements slapped onto it make this film a thrilling ride. Stallone has all the needed energy for this role. Lithgow is a little much in places but he’s a great villain with plenty of sadistic gusto, and a charming team of henchmen. Then you get Rooker who comes in to serve as a solid #2 on the good guy side. But overall Cliffhanger is great because it doesn’t overdo it. The action is thrilling because you can see it happening. Nothing is over edited; the cinematography is fantastic, and the pace is consistent. You get Stallone on the run, taking out bad guys and running and jumping all over these rugged mountains and it’s still a wildly entertaining ride today.
-
The Replacement Killers (1999)
In 1999 a new international action star would hit Hollywood with my #16 pick. When people need to disappear, they come see Meg. When people need to be killed, they never see Chow Yun-Fat coming in The Replacement Killers also starring Mira Sorvino from director Antoine Fuqua.
Chow Yun-Fat would burst onto the Hollywood scene with The Replacement Killers, a sleek, gritty action film that thrives on the direction from Antione Fuqua, and the chemistry between Chow and Mira Sorvino. It’s a traditional plot progression as an assassin has a change of heart on a job and ends up being hunted himself. But there’s a style, an edginess to this movie that creates an atmosphere that just has a charming vibe of alluring danger to it. The house music gives the film energy when needed and it elevates the action nicely. Which is where this movie really shines, The Replacement Killers is filled with badass dudes, violent gunplay, and chase sequences as everyone makes their play on Chow’s character. It gives the film a tight pace, with a blend of storytelling, character development and hyper violent action that you don’t often get in the genre and when the bullets are flying, and Chow has his pistols in hand The Replacement Killers is top-notch in the genre.
-
Universal Soldier (1992)
Moving along to #15 is another childhood favorite of mine. It stars Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren as the ultimate weapons of the future, who have just declared war on each other in 1992’s Universal Soldier directed by Roland Emmerich.
Now Universal Soldier is another of those action romps that completely feels like a product of the 80s. Soldiers being brought back to life as super soldiers is absurdly awesome for an action flick with a sci-fi theme, Van Damme in his early prime and Dolph Lundgren once again delivering a film a top tier villain what you get is a violent adventure filled with plenty of gunplay, violent killing, and all the trademark Van Damme movies we know and love. Sure, Universal Soldier is a blend of borrowed and new but the new certainly outshines its familiar progression, predictable ending, and a relatively by-the-numbers middle act. Van Damme is undeniably great in this role but much like Demolition Man with Snipes, Lundgren here is easily able to steal the show as a UNISOL gone rogue. He’s taking people out, collecting ears on a necklace and it’s hilariously satisfying. Plus, when the adventure comes to a head the final showdown between Van Damme and Lundgren, in the rain, does not disappoint as both get their blows in before Van Damme gets the last line in true genre fashion.
-
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Coming in at #14 is a film filled with incredible action sequences and the smoothest special agent in history when Pierce Brosnan starred as James Bond in 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies alongside Michelle Yeoh, Teri Hatcher, and Jonathan Pryce.
The Bond films have always been known for large-scale action set-pieces and endless international adventures and Brosnan’s second outing in the role with Tomorrow Never Dies was no different. But to me, where it veers joyfully into the pure action and martial arts field is with the addition of Michelle Yeoh. What she brings to the action department with her physicality and martial-arts prowess is able to elevate a great adventure film into one of the decade’s best pure action movies. Yeoh and Brosnan are a perfect pair for this plot. Both leave their impact and Tomorrow Never Dies is a movie that can instantly lure you in with its imaginative plot and quick pace. It’s a sexy film. It’s a compelling film and the style is endless. Which pairs perfectly with the ambitious action set-pieces that brought tension filled action to the screen we’d never seen before while still being able to hover effortlessly within the playground of being a James Bond film.
-
Supercop (1992)
Next up at #13 is a Chinese martial-arts movie not everyone may be familiar with. It’s a flick filled with dazzling action and stunt work as Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh would team up to stop a drug lord in 1992’s Supercop from director Stanley Tong.
Few films deliver the intricate level of fight choreography that Supercop does with Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh. But Supercop is much more than a traditional martial arts movie. Chan is running on top of moving trains, dangling from ladders hanging from moving helicopters and Yeoh is doing handstands of movie vehicles and so much more which results in this film being one of the best pure action films from the decade while also being one of the best martial-arts films as well. Now admittedly the plot and its progression from a storytelling aspect is thin and relatively familiar. But it’s more than enough to connect the buffet of awe-inspiring action sequences that this movie is able to deliver within its tight 90-minute runtime. It has its spots of humor, Chan and Yeoh work extremely well off one another. Both are all-in on these roles and the physicality needed and they knock it out of the park in a film that still looks just as impressive and can have you on the edge of your seat all these years later.
-
Total Recall (1990)
We’re going from Jackie Chan to Schwarzenegger for my #12 movie a wild sci-fi actioner. How would you know if someone stole your mind in 1990’s Total Recall directed by Paul Verhoeven also starring Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, and Ronny Cox.
Arnold throughout his A-List run was able to pull the action genre into sci-fi effortlessly and outside of Terminator, Total Recall would easily be his best sci-fi themed action blockbuster. The film still holds up today with a blend of awesome make-up and practical effects with digital effects that still look pretty good today. Arnold commanded this film as Quaid and the variety of action is nestled seamlessly into this inventive plot. Verhoeven’s direction complemented by the stunning cinematography give Total Recall a crisp visual appeal and the fast-moving story is a true cinematic adventure with great worldbuilding. But Arnold still gets his action genre trademarks. He’s taking dudes out, dropping one liners, and oozing masculinity from start-to-finish. Plus, this one delivers excellent performances from both Ronny Cox and Michael Ironside so there is no shortage of eccentric bad guys. Total Recall could be classed as more of a sci-fi adventure but with Arnold in the lead the action genre tropes are undeniable.
-
The Last Boy Scout (1991)
And for my #11 movie we’re diving into the dark side of football. It centers on two guys who everyone had counted out, but they’re about to get back in the game in the Tony Scott thriller The Last Boy Scout from 1991 starring Bruce Willis, Damon Wayans, and Noble Willingham.
I think The Last Boy Scout is one of those movies that can sneak up on you and have you locked in instantly. Tony Scott gives this film so much atmosphere, it’s glitzy and bleak and with two broken characters in the lead with Willis and Wayans, as well as a unique plot that fits nicely in the genre the result is a timeless classic. Willis is essentially John McClane in this film but much further down the hole of darkness and he kills it with his performance. Wayans is a nice blend of humor and seriousness, and their abrasive chemistry is perfect for this story. You can see these guys clearly dislike one another but at the end you can feel their friendship and it’s a great ride of violent action, character despair, and the world of professional football. Complete with sadistic villains you can’t wait to see get their dues, and overall, The Last Boy Scout is an excellently crafted action film on every level that rides at full speed.
Anthony J. Digioia II © 2024 SilverScreen Analysis & Movies Never Say Die!