On to part two! This segment of the list oddly contains four part four's! And trust me I did not plan that. It is just how things turned out. Several action icons also make their first appearance on the list such as Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, Donnie Yen, Tom Cruise, Bruce Campbell, Andy Lau, the "real" Bruce Lee, and Enzo G. Castellari.
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Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan (1998) is a fantastic war epic that features first rate performances, gritty action, and one of the best film scores of the 1990's. If one were to analyze the film without discussing its action scenes, its a first rate Oscar winning film. However, its gritty and horribly realistic action scenes are some of the best within a WWII film. Highlights include the horrifying invasion of Ohama Beach, the sniper face off, and the final battle within the destroyed town. Kudos to Spielberg for making Tom Hanks a bad ass.
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Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987) is one of Cannon Group's best low budget productions. Unlike the previous Death Wish films, the fourth entry is all about cracking down on drugs and being as 1980's as possible. Even though the story and acting is weak in parts, the fun-varied action scenes and Bronson's presence holds the film together. Not a great film but a fun one.
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This early venture by director/choreographer Yeun Woo Ping is essentially the most action packed film of all time. In under 90 minutes, In the Line of Duty 4 (1989) contains over 14 separate action scenes! This is another film like Game of Death II where the insane amount of action is responsible for the film's placement on the list, not the storytelling or acting. Still, the film does feature some good comedy, a well put together story, and a great physical performance by a young Donnie Yen.
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Three part four's in a row! That's odd. Anyways, Brad Bird's Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011) is a fantastic spy thriller that features fantastic stunts and set pieces that prove that Tom Cruise is one of the hardest working men in action cinema. The film does a fantastic job at revitalizing the franchise and proving that Mission Impossible films can kick ass even with PG-13 ratings.
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Even though Army of Darkness (1992) has fairly clunky action scenes and silly editing errors, I can't help but love it with all of my heart. The film and the entire Evil Dead trilogy were my first venture into cult cinema back in high school. I love all of the cheesy one liners, Bruce Campbell's amazing performance, and the fun special effects. It's a cool film that combines humor, horror, and fantasy all into one. "Hail to the king, baby."
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Rich and Famous (1987) is an incredibly underrated Hong Kong gangster film that features Andy Lau and Alex Man as two adoptive brothers who become understudies to Triad gangster Brother Chai (played by Chow Yun Fat in a movie stealing supporting performance). The film is part one of a two part saga that depicts the fall of the two brother's relationship and the collapse of Chai's reign. The film is essentially an action packed version of the The Godfather Saga. One of my favorite heroic bloodshed films, a definite great.
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Goldfinger (1964) is the film that certified the James Bond formula and stands as one of the series' greatest entries. The film also features the iconic pairing of Goldfinger and Odd Job, two of the most memorable movie villains of all time. Packed with great romance, gadgetry, and Bond girls galore, Goldfinger is an action classic that will live on in eternity.
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Ah, we can't talk action without Euro-Crime or Enzo G. Castellari. The Grand Racket (1976) is a horribly brutal and at times vile Italian action picture that features some of the best gun fights of the 1970's. Castellari showcases first rate action with excellent camera work and gorgeous slow motion editing that would make even John Woo and Sam Peckinpah jealous. The final gun fight inside of the abandoned factory is an action set piece for the ages. Fabio Testi also proves himself as one of the most likable and bad ass leads in Italian action cinema with his no nonsense performance and willingness to roll down a hill inside of car without a stunt double.
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Bruce Lee's debut action picture is about as great as martial arts cinema comes. The Big Boss (1971) features Lee at his most brutal as he transforms from a peaceful hippie into a no nonsense fighter. The film is also notable for its excessive violence and introduction of Lee's iconic fighting style and facial features.
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Clint Eastwood makes his way onto the list with the fourth entry of the Dirty Harry series, Sudden Impact (1983). Sudden Impact benefits not only from its iconic dialog, awesome action scenes, and engaging rape/revenge plot, but also its director, Clint himself. Sudden Impact is the only Dirty Harry film that Eastwood ever directed and the film benefits greatly from his work behind the camera as well as in front. Eastwood elevates the standard action and plot of a Dirty Harry film with his confident direction and eye for minimalistic storytelling.
You're one of the only people I know who classifies Army of Darkness as an action film, but I definitely get where you're coming from. I really don't love it as much as the other two Evil Deads, but I heartily agree with its placement on the list. I'm excited to see further entries in your top 100!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I hear what you're saying about Army of Darkness. I classify it as one cause it has enough action beats; the pit fight, the she bitch scene, and the final battle, to make it an action movie. I haven't rewatched Evil Dead 1 and 2 in years so I need to do that in order to figure out which is my favorite. And thank you for your excitement!
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