Okay, just finished watching The Replacement Killers and was trying to decide if it is in fact one of the best action movies ever made. It is. Off the top of my head, I’ve compiled a semi-short list of what I consider to be some of the most badass action movies of all time. Some may be lacking in certain areas like budget, plot, acting, etc. But hey, they’re about the action, the rest is mostly optional.
Dr. No – 1962
James Bond’s investigation of a missing colleague in Jamaica leads him to the island of the mysterious Dr. No and a scheme to end the US space program.
What makes it badass: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress and Jack Lord in the first James Bond movie, nuff said.
Shaft – 1971
Cool black private eye John Shaft is hired by a crime lord to find and retrieve his kidnapped daughter.
What makes it badass: It’s Shaft, John Shaft. You’re damn right!
Death Race 2000 – 1975
A champion of a brutal cross-country car race of the future where pedestrians are run down for points has a change of heart while being hounded by rivals and a conspiracy seeking to stop the race.
What makes it badass: It’s a typical low-budget Roger Corman classic, you can never go wrong there.
Mad Max – 1979
In a dystopic future Australia, a vicious biker gang murder a cop’s family and make his fight with them personal.
What makes it badass: “The chain in those handcuffs is high-tensile steel. It’d take you ten minutes to hack through it with this. Now, if you’re lucky, you can hack through your ankle in five minutes. Go!”
Escape From New York – 1981
In 1997, when the US President crashes into Manhattan, now a giant max. security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in for a rescue.
What makes it badass: Snake Plissken.
Raiders of the Lost Ark – 1981
Archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis.
What makes it badass: It’s the original and still the best. The movie that brought us Indiana Jones. The melting head.
Aliens – 1986
The planet from Alien has been colonized, but contact is lost. This time, the rescue team has impressive firepower, but will it be enough?
What makes it badass: While James Cameron is a poor substitute for Ridley Scott and the movie lacks the creepy atmosphere and suspense of the original, it’s got even more badass alien action. “Game over, man. Game over.”
Big Trouble in Little China – 1986
An All-American trucker gets dragged into a centuries-old mystical battle in Chinatown.
What makes it badass: Kurt Russell in another John Carpenter classic. Kim Cattrall is hot. ‘Just remember what ol’ Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol’ storm right square in the eye and he says, “Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it.”‘
Highlander – 1986
An immortal Scottish swordsman must confront the last of his immortal opponent, a murderously brutal barbarian who lusts for the fabled “Prize”.
What makes it badass: Sean Connery, sword fights, decapitations. There can be only one.
Lethal Weapon – 1987
A veteran cop, Murtough, is partnered with a young suicidal cop, Riggs. Both having one thing in common, hating working in pairs. Now they must learn to work with one and other to stop a gang of drug smugglers.
What makes it badass: It is the pinnacle of 80’s buddy cop movies. The film that helped define the genre.
Die Hard – 1988
New York cop John McClane gives terrorists a dose of their own medicine as they hold hostages in an LA office building.
What makes it badass: The movie that made Bruce Willis into an action star. No steroids, no kung-fu, he gets the crap beat out of him but he just keeps coming because he’s too stubborn to give up. The big-screen debut of Alan Rickman, whose inspired portrayal of Hans Gruber will go down in history as one of film’s best villains. “Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.”
The Killer (Dip huet seung hung) – 1989
A disillusioned assassin accepts one last hit in hopes of using his earnings to restore vision to a singer he accidentally blinded, only to be double-crossed by his boss.
What makes it badass: Chow Yun-Fat, John Woo. The shootout at the beach house was filmed in 28 days; 20,000 rounds of ammunition were fired. The final shootout at the church took 36 days and 40,000 rounds. At the time of filming it set the record for most shots fired in a motion picture.
The Last Boyscout – 1991
A down and out cynical detective teams up with a down and out ex-quarterback to try and solve a murder case involving a pro football team and a politician.
What makes it badass: Bruce Willis, Damon Wayans (you know, the funny Wayans brother), written by Shane Black and directed by Tony Scott. Halle Berry in that cowboy stripper outfit. Taylor Negron’s deliciously evil portrayal of head-henchman Milo. “Yes, officer. As a matter of fact there is a problem. Apparently there are too many bullets in this gun.”
Tombstone – 1993
A successful lawman’s plans to retire anonymously in Tombstone, Arizona, are disrupted by the kind of outlaws he was famous for eliminating.
What makes it badass: I’m your huckleberry…
The Crow – 1994
A man brutally murdered comes back to life as an undead avenger of his and his fiancée’s murder.
What makes it badass: The dark, the rain, the violence, it sets a Blade Runner-like feel to the movie. Possibly over-shadowed at the time of it’s release by the death of Brandon Lee, his performance was stunning and proved that if given a decent script (unlike several of his previous films) he could deliver. He will be missed.
Bad Boys – 1995
Two Miami detectives protect a murder witness while investigating a case of stolen heroin.
What makes it badass: Produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, Directed by Michael Bay. You just know stuff’s going to blow up, a lot of stuff. Tea Leoni’s skirt. That black on black Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6
Desperado – 1995
A gunslinger is embroiled in a war with a local drug runner.
What makes it badass: Written and Directed by Robert Rodriguez. Salma Hayek pouting. Antonio Banderas with a guitar-case full of guns. Hilarious cameo by Quentin Tarantino.
From Dusk Till Dawn – 1996
Two criminals and their hostages unknowingly seek temporary refuge in an establishment populated by vampires, with chaotic results.
What makes it badass: Salma Hayek’s snake dance. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Written by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. The motel bedroom reveal scene. Chet Pussy.
The Fifth Element – 1997
In the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr Zorg at bay.
What makes it badass: Bruce Willis, the always excellent Gary Oldman, Sir Ian Holm. Chris Tucker completely unhinged. Leeloo Dallas mul-ti-pass.
The Replacement Killers – 1998
Failing to kill anymore because of his conscience, a troubled hit-man seeks aid from a forger to help him get papers to China. However, the drug-lord has hired replacements to finish the job and kill the hit-man.
What makes it badass: Directed by Antoine Fuqua. Chow Yun-Fat with guns. Mira Sorvino looking just that damn hot.
The Matrix – 1999
A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.
What makes it badass: Well… it’s the Matrix isn’t it?
The Boondock Saints – 1999
Fraternal twins set out to rid Boston of the evil men operating there while being tracked down by an FBI agent.
What makes it badass: The rope. The cat. “And Shepherds we shall be For Thee my Lord, for Thee Power hath descended forth from Thy hand Our feet may swiftly carry out Thy commands. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee And teeming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomine Patri, Et Fili, Et Spiritus Sancti.”
Fight Club – 1999
An office employee and a soap salesman build a global organization to help vent male aggression.
What makes it badass: The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.
Snatch – 2000
Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers, and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.
What makes it badass: Brad Pitt’s accent. Jason Statham before he was an action star. Vinnie Jones.
The Transporter – 2002
Frank Martin is a highly skilled driver known only as “The Transporter.” He will transport anything, no questions asked, always on time, and he is known as the best in the business. He strictly follows three rules when transporting: Rule #1: “Never change the deal”, Rule #2: “No names”, and Rule #3: “Never open the package.”
What makes it badass: Fast cars, explosions, gun fights, kickboxing and a script by Luc Besson.
Serenity – 2005
The crew of the ship Serenity tries to evade an assassin sent to recapture one of their number who is telepathic.
What makes it badass: Space cowboys. Space cannibals. Gun fights. The oh-so excellent Joss Whedon dialog.
Hot Fuzz – 2007
Exceptional London cop Nicholas Angel is involuntarily transferred to a quaint English village and paired with a witless new partner. While on the beat, Nicholas suspects a sinister conspiracy is afoot with the residents.
What makes it badass: The battle of Somerfield. Firing two guns at the same time while flying through the air.
The Dark Knight – 2008
When Batman, Gordon and Harvey Dent launch an assault on the mob, they let the clown out of the box, the Joker, bent on turning Gotham on itself and bringing any heroes down to his level.
What makes it badass: It’s Batman. The prisoner transport chase. Heath Ledger’s inspired and often disturbing Joker. ‘Why so serious?”