From the silent swashbuckling days ofThe Mask of ZorroandThe Three Musketeersin the 1920s tothe cuttin- edgeAvatar moviesof more recent years,actionmovies have always been a big draw in and provide the perfect form of escapism for viewers.
As we enter the 25th year of the21st Century, we take a look back at the best movies of the last quarter of a century that focus on high octane action sequences aimed at getting the audience’s blood pumping. So buckle up and strap in tight, these are the 15 best action movies of the last 25 years.
15’Skyfall' (2012)
James Bond, originating from Ian Fleming’s novels, has graced the silver screen since the release ofDr. Noin 1962. Over the years, various talented actors have stepped into the suit, bringing their own interpretations to the suave and daring secret agent. The selection of Daniel Craig to play Bond, at the time, was perhaps one of the more controversial choices,but Craig rose to the occasionand proved any naysayers well and truly wrong.
‘Skyfall’ Is Daniel Craig’s Third Outing as James Bond
While every movie of Craig’s 007 era is considered a classic,Skyfalljust about pips the other to the post when crowning greatest due to the willingness of director Sam Mendes’ to delve into Bond’s past and explore his vulnerabilities. This allowed the movie to further develop the character, to an extent unseen before. Of course, it also features the much adored trademark heart pumping 007 car chases, gun fights and jaw dropping stunts, only with a little more heart.
The Most Important Characters in the James Bond Franchise (Besides 007 Himself)
Hundreds of great characters have passed through the James Bond franchise. Among them, a few have stood out.
14’Gladiator' (2000)
With therecent release ofGladiator 2, the franchise is back on everyone’s lips again. It’s hard to believe, though, that the original was released almost 25 years ago, way back in 2000. The Ripley Scott directed historical action epic saw Rusell Crowe pick up his sword and sandals as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general, betrayed and reduced to slavery as he battles it out in the gladiator arena, avenging the murders of his family.
‘Gladiator’ Is Now Regarded as an Iconic Piece of Cinema
Redefining the historical epic genre,Gladiatorblends brutally violent action sequences with gripping storytelling, sweeping cinematography and unforgettable performances from the likes of Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Neilson. The movie was a commercial and critical smash hit and was nominated for an astonishing 12 Academy Awards, winning 5 including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
13’John Wick' (2014)
Now one of the most successful action franchises of all time, it’s hard to imagine there ever being any doubt around this movie’s potential success. The originalJohn Wick, released in 2014, saw Keanu Reeves making a phenomenal career comeback playing the titular character on a vengeful warpath after his beloved dog is killed.
Not Everyone Initially Embraced the Movie’s Quirky Edginess
Audiences couldn’t get enough of the hyper-stylized violence and intense atmosphere and the movie became an instant classic. However, director Josh Horowitz recalls a very different reaction during the testing process. Following a middling test screening, he was admittedly briefly concerned over the movie’s future. Ultimately, though, he decided to lean into the movie’s quirkiness and fully embrace it; a decision well made.
12’Training Day' (2001)
Training Day
Taking the buddy cop action genre and injecting it with a healthy dose of gritty realism,Training Dayallows viewers to experience a day in the life of a rookie cop (played by Ethan Hawke) as he starts his new role with his corrupt veteran partner played by Denzel Washington.
Denzel Washington’s Flawless Performance Won Him an Oscar
Hawke’s character tries to navigate the murky and morally ambiguous world he finds himself a part of thanks to Washington’s character. All the while, Washington’s commanding performance masterfully embodies the unpredictable and morally complex nature of his character. His performance exudes a raw magnetic energy and natural charisma that rightfullyearned him an Oscar win for Best Actor.
11’The Bourne Identity' (2002)
The Bourne Identity
Based on Robert Ludlum’s 1980 novel,The Bourne Identityhas grown into one of the world’s most successful action franchises, and it all started with this 2002 release. Already an accomplished actor, Matt Damon was shot into superstardom as he took on the role of Jason Bourne, a man suffering from amnesia who gradually discovers his life was anything but ordinary as he finds himself wrapped up in clandestine conspiracy within the CIA.
‘The Bourne Identity’ Is One of the Biggest Additions to the Espionage Genre Since James Bond
Praised for its action set pieces, bouts of humor and overall tone and atmosphere, it has proven itself as not only the strongest movie in the now iconic franchise, but as one of the most important espionage movies in recent history.
10’Kill Bill' (2003 and 2004)
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Kill Bill Vol. 2
Right, we’re consideringKill Bill Vol. 1and2as one movie, as it seems as if director Quentin Tarantino, himself,has done the same when listing his directing credits.Released in 2003 and 2004 as a two-part movie, it brought a refreshing and empowering change to the action genre by showcasing women actors who fearlessly kicked butt on-screen.
‘Kill Bill’ Shattered Stereotypes
In a genre dominated by male-centric narratives,Kill Billshattered stereotypes and delivered a much-needed dose of women empowerment. Uma Thurman plays a deadly assassin hellbent on revenge. Elsewhere, Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, and Vivica A. Fox showcased their formidable martial arts skills and proved that women could go just as hard as any male counterparts in this stylized, brutal and bloody visceral action epic.
9’Avatar' (2009)
The pressure on James Cameron when going intoAvatarwas phenomenal. Not only had he had to wait 15 years for technology to catch up with his ambitious vision, he had also managed to secure the largest budget in movie history to plunge into the project. On top of this, his previous movie,Titanic, had been reigning supreme as the highest grossest movie of all time since its release back in 1997.
‘Avatar’ Exceeded All Expectations
Fortunately for Cameron, his ambitions, gambles and hard work all paid off. The movie, a futuristic, sci-fi, action adventure was an instant hit and shattered every box office record imaginable, quickly becoming the most successful movie of all time, knocking his previous film from the top spot.
8’Edge of Tomorrow' (2014)
Edge of Tomorrow
It’s always refreshing when a movie hits theaters and completely nails what it set out to do, and it’s even more refreshing when said movie isn’t a sequel, remake or reboot. That’s exactly what happened in 2014 when audiences were hit with the Tom Cruise led sci-fi, action blockbusterEdge of Tomorrow.
‘Edge of Tomorrow’ Takes a Novel “Time Loop” Approach to the Alien Invasion Trope
Taking place in the future where most of Europe is now occupied by a hostile alien race, Tom Cruise plays a PR worker, with no military experience, who is forced to join a landing attack against the aliens. He finds himself in a time loop which he uses to his advantage as he orchestrates a means to defeat the aliens. Full of jaw-dropping special effects, a gripping story and a subtle undercurrent of humor, the movie was a hit with critics and audiences alike and currently sits at an impressive 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
7’Mission: Impossible - Fallout' (2018)
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
7 movies deep (with an 8th due this year) and the franchise has maintained a constant solid standard and continually performed strongly at the box office. The series follows Impossible Mission Force Agent Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, who embarks on a series of “impossible” missions as he serves and protects the free world.
Unlike Many Franchises of its Nature, The ‘Mission: Impossible’ Series Has Avoided Falling Into the Realms of Absurdity
Each movie attempts to up the action of its predecessor and, as a result, has made for some of the most exhilarating viewing in recent history. The series peaked with 2018’sFalloutwhich featured high speed helicopter chases, a motorcycle chase through Paris, and the climatic cliff hang and fight. TheMission: Impossibleseries unashamedly revels in itsover-the-top stunts and action sequences, but unlike many of its contemporaries, it has managed to do so without becoming too campy and absurd and maintains a level of realism.
6’Taken' (2009)
Liam Neeson is one of the most celebrated and respected actors in his field. Known for his magnetic intensity, he carved a career playing a number of acclaimed dramatic roles in movies likeSchindler’s ListandMichael Collins. However, it was the unexpected success of 2008’sTakenthat catapulted him into a new realm of stardom and transformed his career trajectory. InTaken, Neeson portrayed Bryan Mills, a former CIA operative on a relentless quest to save his daughter from human traffickers, showcasing his commanding presence and intense action sequences.
‘Taken’ Sparked a Renewed Interest In Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson’s performance and the movie itself were a huge hit with critics and audiences alike. The movie’s stylized violence and high-octane action sequences left viewers clamoring for more. As a result, Neeson soon became synonymous the “aging badass” genre. Embracing this new phase, Neeson went on to star in a series of action-packed films, such asUnknown(2011),Non-Stop(2014), andThe Commuter(2018), as well as a further twoTakensequels.
