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Action movies are all about adrenaline , with many entries in the genre often ascertain new way to crank the tension to 11 . Blockbusters and lesser - known military action motion picture are filled with legendary Heron and their stories told with the backdrop of unforgettable located pieces that immerse fans in the wild chaos . Sometimes , it ’s the sheer scale of the end that makes these action mechanism films so vivid ; other times , it ’s the precision of a one - on - one fight that can keep hearing glue to their screen .
From the revenge tale in theKill Billduology to the gruesome engagement for endurance inFirst Blood , the most intense military action moving picture ever push their protagonists — and viewers — to the brink . Whether it ’s centre - pound chases , monumental plosion , or brutal hand - to - hand fighting , there ’s something for every kind of action fan in these gripping films .
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10. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrixtook the world by storm when it premier in 1999 , with the sci - fi legal action film introducing Thomas Anderson , aka Neo ( Keanu Reeves ) , a computing machine cyber-terrorist who discovers that his reality is an elaborated pretence by intelligent machines using homo as a power rootage . Neo is enrol by Morpheus ( Laurence Fishburne ) , the leader of a group of rebels , to contend against these sentient machines that have enslaved manhood . In the process , he see that he may be “ The One ” destined to free mankind .
The Wachowskis’The Matrixis a radical workfull of psyche - bend action , most notably the unprecedented slow - motion “ slug time ” scenes . The hand - to - bridge player combat sequence , influenced by Asian movie house , showcase flawless fight choreography flux with physics - defying stunts . Neo and Morpheus ’ dojo duel and their legion jumps between skyscrapers bear witness how CGI and special event could make vividness in an otherworldly setting .
9. Enter the Dragon (1973)
The quintessential martial arts pic and action picture Bruce Lee ’s final nail cinema coming into court before his tragic expiry , Enter the Dragonis a must - see classic . Directed by Robert Clouse , the film survey Lee ( Bruce Lee ) , a Shaolin warlike artist raise by British intelligence to penetrate the island fortress of Han ( Shih Kien ) , a criminal brainiac running a virulent martial arts tournament . Lee ’s missionary work is not only to gather evidence but to avenge his sister ’s death , who was mangle by one of Han ’s henchmen .
record the Dragonplayed a significant role in bringing martial arts to mainstream westerly audiences , with Lee ’s lightning - firm fighting style and screen presence attracting newfangled fans . It focus on realistic , high - impingement combat that emphasized the star ’s gift , as underscored in tournament battle where he dispatches opponents one after the other . Over 50 years later and the photographic film is still considered a rewatchable chef-d’oeuvre and the superlative of the warlike arts subgenre .
8. The Raid: Redemption (2011)
The Raid : Redemptionis pure , unfiltered action from start to conclusion , revolving around an elect team of commandos about to take down a criminal offence lord . Set in the slum area of Jakarta , the squad is task is about to storm a high - rise building controlled by the ruthless Tama ( Ray Sahetapy ) . The edifice houses some of the city ’s most dangerous malefactor , and the team ’s charge quickly turn into a fight for survival when they ’re ambushed and trapped on the sixth base . The rookie pig Rama ( Iko Uwais ) , who was left behind , is now told to contribute his squad to protect his comrades and complete the charge .
Directed by Gareth Evans , The Raid : Redemptionmakes use of goods and services of its claustrophobic scope to ramp up the tension . The 2011 moving picture showcases the traditional Indonesian martial prowess of pencak silat in most of its close - quarters brawls , with these fight vista turning into deadly saltation that are magnetise to watch . Fans who enjoythis wild action filmwill be happy to know its sequel , The Raid 2 , is just as intense .
7. Aliens (1986)
Aliensgreatly benefit fromJames Cameron‘s charge , who takes just the right amount of suspense from Ridley Scott ’s original and amps up the action . The film features unbelievable set pieces that complement the full - throttle natural action that come with the growth of the Xenomorph threat . Of course , Weaver ’s functioning as the badass Ripley took the motion picture to new heights and cemented her character as one of the most iconic action heroes in cinematic history .
6. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Terminator 2 : discernment Daydominated pop culture and movie theatre in the 1990s , with fans excited to see Arnold Schwarzenegger as the reprogrammed T-800 . lead by James Cameron , the film sees a T-800 no longer out to vote out Sarah Connor ( Linda Hamilton ) and is alternatively protect her and her son , John Connor ( Edward Furlong ) . As the future leader of the human resistance , John is target by machines from the time to come , peculiarly the soma - shifting , melted metal bravo called the T-1000 ( Robert Patrick ) . The trio work together to outrun the seemingly unstoppable villain , with their luck inevitably decide the grade of humanness ’s future .
An excellent example of a continuation done rightfield , Terminator 2ups the ante in fairly much every look , specially when it add up to the military action . Its$100 millionbudget have in mind there was no retention back with the outstanding sequences , with its monolithic Seth pieces serving as the consummate stage for incredible stunts . scene like the motortruck following through Los Angeles and the encounter at the brand John Stuart Mill ascertain that it ’s an action at law - packed epic that barely lets up , with the 1991 moving picture becoming the pattern for many more wonderful entree in the musical genre .
5. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Director George Millerrevives the Mad Max saga and bring it to modern audiences in 2015’sMad Max : Fury Road . congeal in a postapocalyptic desert waste where petrol and water system dictate who hold power , it tells the chronicle of the lonesome wanderer Max Rockatansky ( Tom Hardy ) who is captured by the warlord Immortan Joe ( Hugh Keays - Byrne ) . He soon joins military force with Imperator Furiosa ( Charlize Theron ) , who seeks to discharge Joe ’s enslaved wives . Their escape wo n’t be simple and they ’re soon furrow across the desert by Joe ’s state of war semi and his overzealous United States Army of War Boys .
Mad Max : Fury Roadpromises an adrenaline rush that rely on cutting - bound practical effect and faultless stunt work , and it delivers at every turn . The film is packed with jaw - drop car chase that sees dieselpunk - themed railway car flipping , exploding , and crush into each other . This meticulously choreograph mayhem draw off viewers into the chaos , which is further explored in its acclaimed prequel , Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga .
4. Die Hard (1988)
Die Hardset a new standard for the activity music genre when it first premiere in 1988 , with Bruce Willis ’ performance as New York City cop John McClane becoming instantly iconic . place by John McTiernan , the film follow McClane as he visits Los Angeles on Christmas Eve to make up with his estranged wife . However , McClane ’s plan are derail when a chemical group of terrorists takes over the Nakatomi Plaza construction , hold the employee hostage . Trapped in spite of appearance , McClane becomes the exclusive hope of stopping the criminals and saving the hostages , including his wife , going against the villainous Hans Gruber ( Alan Rickman ) who is determined to fall apart into the edifice ’s hurdle .
perish Hardsoars thanks toBruce Willis ’ memorable performanceas the increasingly bold McClane , who terminate up becoming the hostages ’ actual hope for deliverance . The entire situation gain the viewing experience feel like a tick fourth dimension bomb calorimeter , specially when the protagonist find himself in claustrophobic spaces while essay to reach an reward against the enemies . This is all perfectly paced and channelise toward an explosive climax , with this pure tier of intensiveness give the moving picture the ideal pick for an unlawful Christmas motion picture .
3. Dredd (2012)
In Mega - City One law enforcement is palm by “ Judges , ” who move as justice , jury , and executioner . One particular enforcer , Dredd ( Karl Urban ) , is known for his no - frill approaching and eld of experience cleaning up the metropolis ’s most fierce streets . He ’s finally paired with rookie Judge Anderson ( Olivia Thirlby ) to investigate a ternary homicide in a massive 200 - story slum tugboat controlled by drug lord Ma - Ma ( Lena Headey ) . She wo n’t go easily , and the duet becomes trapped in spite of appearance , storm to combat through wave after wave of intemperately armed criminals to get to Ma - Ma .
Dreddis unflinchingly brutal and do in no fourth dimension , diving event headfirst into the messy and chaotic slum block where Lena Headey ’s Ma - Ma proves to be a menacing and cunning foeman . direct by Pete Travis , the celluloid is especially unforgettable thanks to its use of slow motion to underline its ultraviolent moments , as its characters expend the drug “ Slo - Mo , ” which makes sentence seem to move at a fraction of its normal speed .
2. First Blood (1982)
First Bloodisa Sylvester Stallone moviethat involve no foundation . Stallone adept as John Rambo , a disruptive Vietnam War veteran who drifts into the pocket-size town of Hope , Washington . After a run - in with the local sheriff , Rambo is chevvy and cop . His PTSD set off a violent escape cock , top to a manhunt that drive him toward the unfounded spate . As Rambo uses his natural selection science to outsmart the jurisprudence enforcement go after him , the once - contained berth spirals into an all - out warfare between a single serviceman and an full townsfolk ’s police force effect .
Rambo ’s guerrilla - style tactics — from lay traps in the forest to using his mere hands for survival — heighten the intensity of the gritty activeness photographic film while also construct it more grounded and realistic . The action feels personal , brutal , and raw , especially as audiences inevitably rout for Stallone ’s fabled action hero who is a surprisingly superimposed friend . First Bloodwould lead in the confessedly scratchy Rambo franchise , with the first entry still being the fan favorite .
1. Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2 (2003 and 2004)
A blood - soaked masterpiece from directorQuentin Tarantino , theKill Billduologyis a retaliation - fueled saga centered on The Bride ( Uma Thurman ) . A former assassin , The Bride is one day left for stagnant by her ex - lover and boss , Bill ( David Carradine ) , and her fellow assassins in the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad . After arouse from a four - class comatoseness , she hunts down her ex-husband - colleagues and trains to ready to kill Bill in the most meet and dramatic mode potential .
With its mix of martial graphics , fashionable swordplay , and hyperviolent wound , Kill Bill Vol . 1and2were immediate hits for the filmmaker ’s lover . Quentin Tarantino ’s testimonial to samurai film and grindhouse celluloid beam in every frame , dead complemented by his signature tune witty dialogue . With its irregular , larger - than - life characters and over - the - top fighting setting , Kill Billis a one - of - a - sort and incredibly acute activity flick that finds young ways to storm viewer with each absorbing act .
