There is nothing quite like the rush of witnessing a perfectly executed action sequence in a movie. The adrenaline, the excitement and the delusion that if you were in that situation you’d probably do the same thing, is for many the reason why they go to the movies. Anyone can blow something up and put it on film but it is the true visionaries that create action pieces of such cunning originality that redefine the possibilities for the genre.
So what makes a great action scene? Admittedly, given Hollywood’s CGI abuse issues, visually anything seems possible. This has led to sheer spectacle becoming a poor substitute for excitement. Case in point Matrix Reloaded, sure the Neo vs. Agent Smiths fight scene was entertaining but they all looked weird.
A great action scene must be linked to the story and put our protagonist in a life or death situation that we’re not sure they’ll get out of. Only when the whole movie depends on the outcome of this scene will you have a truly memorable action moment. Otherwise, it’s the cinematic equivalent of eating fairy floss for dinner, delicious but not really filling.
In honour of those who have done this correctly we have compiled the top ten best action scenes on film. Some are innovators others borrow heavily but all are worthy of this list. These clips derive to be played loud. Enjoy!
10. Heat – Street Shoot out
This film not only stars the great Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino but also delivers the greatest street shoot out in cinema history. You feel like you’re in the middle of it all and even though it lasts for a while it never gets boring.
9. Hot Fuzz – Final Showdown
Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright in honouring Michael Bay’s school of action create a final scene that is far more exciting and funny than anything that hack of a director has put to celluloid.
8. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) House of Blue Leaves
This just gets better and better…
7. Spiderman 2— The Train
The first Spiderman film was interesting enough but it was sorely lacking in the action department. Sam Raimi clearly learnt from his mistakes and created the best comic-book action scene put to film.
6. Raiders of the Lost Ark – Truck Chase
Before Indy was hiding in refrigerators and chasing aliens he was the coolest action character around. This scene raised the standard for all action films so high that not even its creators could ever improve on it.
5. The Bourne Ultimatum – Fight with Desh
I would argue this is one of the greatest fights on film. It also serves as the brilliant culmination to an action scene that has everything from motorbikes to jumping from rooftops.
4. Terminator 2 – The Mall/Truck Chase
The brilliance of this scene is that you’re not supposed to know which one of them is the bad guy. Arguably the best use of a truck in an action scene.
3. Die Hard – Final Scene
The fact that Bruce Willis is a normal guy in the wrong place, at the wrong time adds a level of real danger absent from action films up until this point.
2. Hard Boiled - Shootout in the Hospital
The film that re-defined action films for the modern era was John Woo at his best. Anytime you see an action star running down a hallway with two handguns, you’ll know who to thank.
1. The Matrix - The Lobby Shootout
Even though the Wachowski Bros. pillaged most of their ideas from other films this is still the coolest action scene ever. I’ve never seen bloodlust or gun fuelled mayhem made to look so poetic.
By Sebastian Cordoba