Wut? The Matrix is still one of the all-time greatest action movies ever made, no matter what you may think of the sequels.
is Terminator 2 the greatest action movie of all time?
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Wut? The Matrix is still one of the all-time greatest action movies ever made, no matter what you may think of the sequels.
I like 2 better, but I may be in the minority. Both great though. I should get around to 3 and 4 at some point I suppose.
Ya. In terms of recent stuff though I felt Fast Five was the most enjoyable big action movie in a long time.
Raptomex
Member
Everyone seems to like 1 and 2 the best. Maybe because Shane Black was involved in the writing of the movie/screenplay? Still, the entire series is great. Blu-Ray pack of all 4 movies coming at the end of May (according to Amazon) here in America. I know what I'm doing that sunday.
So one movie makes you top 3 action directors of all time? And you would place them in the company of 2 people who have delivered a plethora of good action moves? With that criteria, dude who made Fast Five would in contention.
DeaconKnowledge
Member
Yes.
Raptomex
Member
Never really got into the series so I can't say. Many new movies seem uninteresting to me nowadays. I'm proud to say that I was around when T2, Lethal Weapon 2 and 4, Die Hard 2 and 3 were released. Also, is it just me or does anyone agree that in these action movies of the day directors have this habit of constant camera shaking/motion during action sequences. I find it annoying.
shira
Member
I'm fine with this list, the rankings are all we should be debating.
Arthr2ShdsJcksn
Banned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT1Diw-DD10
Ok, hows this for respecting older action. Lilian Gish, "Way Down East". In a scene that would repeated in countless other action movies, Lillian is trapped on a piece of ice in a river that's about to go over a waterfall. Gish did the "stunts" herself. Gish == Chan precursor.
Ok, hows this for respecting older action. Lilian Gish, "Way Down East". In a scene that would repeated in countless other action movies, Lillian is trapped on a piece of ice in a river that's about to go over a waterfall. Gish did the "stunts" herself. Gish == Chan precursor.
CoffeeJanitor
Member
Is T2 better than T1? I recently saw T1 for the first time. It was pretty good, but not mindblowing.
*shrug*
The Matrix is just that good. And despite the overall quality of the movies, the sequels had some kick-ass set-pieces. And personally, I love the shit out of Speed Racer.
Fast Five is good and all but equal to The Matrix? Give me a fucking break.
*shudders* No. Bad Boys 2 (or 1, for that matter) was unwatchable outside the action scenes.
PhoncipleBone
Banned
Third one is underrated, but the fourth one is complete shit. You can tell they were just throwing things together and making it up as they went.
I used to think that the second Lethal Weapon was the best one until I watched the entire series in a marathon last year. The first is the far superior film. It just feels more dangerous and unpredictable compared to the second one. Just better all around, and the superior henchman in Mr. Joshua. How badass do you have to be to have a name like Mr. Joshua? Pretty fucking badass.
And Lethal Weapon one had this guy:
Al Leong. King of random 80s henchmen.
Both Die Hard and Lethal Weapon had him. Proof that they are awesome films.
Raptomex
Member
Many argue it's not. I love both movies. My all time favorites. It's hard for me to choose. And they're both Cameron's vision. Exactly what T3 and Salvation are lacking.
I don't really get the love for Commando. It had its moments, but overall the action was relatively weak and the pacing wasn't that great.
I think The Raid should be given some consideration.
I prefer 2, as well. More of an action flick that #1.
PhoncipleBone
Banned
Best action films:
Die Hard
Terminator 2
Aliens
Lethal Weapon
For number one I have to go with Die Hard. It was so awesome that it basically became an adjective to describe other movies that came after it. "It is like Die Hard, but on ______" and so on.
And I do have to give some love to Speed. The script is so cheesy and lame, but I love the efficiency of the film. There is nothing much to it, but it is so well directed and executed that I love watching it.
Die Hard
Terminator 2
Aliens
Lethal Weapon
For number one I have to go with Die Hard. It was so awesome that it basically became an adjective to describe other movies that came after it. "It is like Die Hard, but on ______" and so on.
And I do have to give some love to Speed. The script is so cheesy and lame, but I love the efficiency of the film. There is nothing much to it, but it is so well directed and executed that I love watching it.
Third one is underrated, but the fourth one is complete shit. You can tell they were just throwing things together and making it up as they went.
I used to think that the second Lethal Weapon was the best one until I watched the entire series in a marathon last year. The first is the far superior film. It just feels more dangerous and unpredictable compared to the second one. Just better all around, and the superior henchman in Mr. Joshua. How badass do you have to be to have a name like Mr. Joshua? Pretty fucking badass.
And Lethal Weapon one had this guy:
Al Leong. King of random 80s henchmen.
Both Die Hard and Lethal Weapon had him. Proof that they are awesome films.
He's also in Big Trouble in Little China. Love that guy.
PhoncipleBone
Banned
And in the first season of 24. Further proof that season 1 was the best season.
Why can't they make action movies like the they did in the 80 and 90's anymore. With all this CGI all the action seems to be more disconnected imo. It's more like watching a cartoon then actual believable action set in the real world. It has all become less physical and more fantastical. Taking away the limits of the physical world has made movie directors go to far. It's hard for me to imagine the things happening in movies these days as being possible in real life.There are loads of action movies these days but most of the action has like zero impact on me, no suspense and I get bored 3-4 minutes into the action sequence. ( which tend to last forever ) Pacing and build up have completely gone to shit. Almost none of the action is compelling.
And to those saying that production values have gone up. MEH. There is hardly any effort put into pratical effects and sets these days.
I do appreciate the fact that Nolan's effects are mostly practical though. Atleast when practical is possible. And you can tell. Everything is a lot more compelling.
Anyway, I agree that Terminator 2 is one of the best action movies ever made. And I could watch most of the of the action movies mentioned in this thread over and over. I can't think of a recent one that I could say the same about.
And to those saying that production values have gone up. MEH. There is hardly any effort put into pratical effects and sets these days.
I do appreciate the fact that Nolan's effects are mostly practical though. Atleast when practical is possible. And you can tell. Everything is a lot more compelling.
Anyway, I agree that Terminator 2 is one of the best action movies ever made. And I could watch most of the of the action movies mentioned in this thread over and over. I can't think of a recent one that I could say the same about.
The first half of it yeah.
It's like they didn't know it was going to go the whole season so they made a good ending like 13 episodes in, then they got picked up and things immediately go off the rails.
A dumbass amnesia plot? Really, 24? Really?
Picked up again later on in the season, though.
dreamcastmaster
Banned
PhoncipleBone
Banned
Ignore the amnesia and all the Kim stuff and the second half still kicks ass. I love how the entire season is all about a personal vendetta. None of this "the nation is going to collapse if we dont stop the terrorists!" stuff from later seasons. It was all about getting back at Jack and David, and that made it a bit scarier. That those guys went to that much trouble for just two people.
shira
Member
Can't wait to see raid
The matrix is good but cg gun porn and terrible wire-fu are what hold it back.
Speed racer is def ahead of matrix.
PhoncipleBone
Banned
Huh? Are we thinking of the same movie? This criticism of the sequels is well founded, but not the original.
Crazy amount of win and fail in the same post. Pretty amazing really.
Count of Monte Sawed-Off
un33dab@dpu$$y
Negative. Not even the best Arnold action movie, or Cameron action movie at that.
You know not of what you speak.
You know not of what you speak.
Unless for some reason you're talking about the Burt Reynolds soon to be remade movie.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
I like it more, but there are a good amount of people who like one more. Part two is a bit more corny with melo drama, but if you're someone who can buy into it, you will cry man tears by the end. Just don't watch the special edition, it adds nothing of value.
Yep. Die Hard needs to be moved up. How high I'm not sure, but it's better than Commando that's for fuck sure.
MonkeyKing
Member
Raiders
Aliens
Hard Boiled
T2
Die Hard
Honorable Fist Bumps for:
Avatar
Once Upon A Time in China
Fist of Legend
LoTR: Two Towers (Helms Deep...come on, now)
Spiderman 2
Aliens
Hard Boiled
T2
Die Hard
Honorable Fist Bumps for:
Avatar
Once Upon A Time in China
Fist of Legend
LoTR: Two Towers (Helms Deep...come on, now)
Spiderman 2
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Sculli is laying down fucking truth in this thread. Thought Heat was okay, at best. Also, there are some weird choices being thrown out as "action" movies.
TUROK
Member
Aside from the super-heavy CG sequence at the end, all the other action sequences weren't very good.
T2 was more in the vein of a summer blockbuster and T1 was more in the vein of a horror movie. I had a LOT more fun in T2 and T1 gave me nightmares but I could see why cult-GAF is into T1.
And no. One sequence in Heat does not make it an "action" movie. Still a classic movie. <3 Mann.
The action in Avengers delivers simply due to the overall lack of shaky and quick cam editing, and the fact that it displays a very clear sense of geography and direction, and fine pacing.
It doesn't rank as the best, but in a world where the fundamental basics of action are torn apart and pissed on by supposedly "good" modern action directors, it was a breath of fresh air to see something like it done right.
It doesn't rank as the best, but in a world where the fundamental basics of action are torn apart and pissed on by supposedly "good" modern action directors, it was a breath of fresh air to see something like it done right.
The action in Avengers is visually bland and lacking any sort of personality. Competent is what I would call it.
That was awesome, really pumped me up. Cameron truly is the action maestro and nobody has even remotely come close to him. Whoever introduced him to diving has done the world of cinema a grave injustice.
That was awesome, really pumped me up. Cameron truly is the action maestro and nobody has even remotely come close to him. Whoever introduced him to diving has done the world of cinema a grave injustice.
Nope.
Holy crap, I completely forgot about the shootout in Heat. Definitely one of the best action scenes of all time. My mind was blown when I first saw it.
Peter Jackson in LOTR, right!!!1
PhoncipleBone
Banned
No matter how good (or overrated) the shootout scene in Heat is, it does not change the fact that the other 2 and a half or so hours of the movie are complete shit.
Count of Monte Sawed-Off
un33dab@dpu$$y
This thread is turning into complete shit.
what the hell dude, I thought you were cool
I agree. I had my expectations set as low as possible when I went in because there were so many ways for them to screw up the movie and it was a relief that it turned out as good as it did.
It is nowhere near my top but compared to the movies released in recent years it was great. They did a great job of making you actually care about the characters and I also liked the pacing. I didn't really enjoy the last part of the movie because the enemy didn't feel threatening at all and I didn't know anything about them besides that they were the bad guys. It just felt like they needed a lot of enemies to show off the avengers fighting as a team. Which was handled well and worked well because of the different approaches of every character and the way they complimented eachother.
The character development was also done well. Conversations between the completely different characters had a very natural flow.
Forceatowulf
G***n S**n*bi
It's definitely my personal favorite. After that it's Predator, Aliens and The Matrix.
God those movies are so awesome. So, so awesome...
<3
God those movies are so awesome. So, so awesome...
<3
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