My Favorite Action Flicks
These are the action films I've seen that I really liked and got into. These are the ones that I believe had a solid storyline and great actors. If there are good movies that are not on this list, it's because I either haven't seen them or they weren't my taste. You won't find superhero movies on this list because I dislike that genre.
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- DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsDavid Alan BascheOlivia ThirlbyLiza Colón-ZayasA real-time account of the events on United Flight 93, one of the planes hijacked on September 11th, 2001 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania when passengers foiled the terrorist plot.Amazing portrayal of the true events that occurred on 9/11. Greengrass is, by far, one of my favorite directors. He did a great service to the heroism of the passengers and crew on board who did all they could to stop the hijackers from reaching their intended target - presumably the White House or other important target in D.C.
- DirectorJan de BontStarsKeanu ReevesDennis HopperSandra BullockA young police officer must prevent a bomb exploding aboard a city bus by keeping its speed above 50 mph.Gawd, I love this movie! Keanu Reeves plays a young "hot shot" on the LAPD bomb squad. Jan de Bont directed this movie which already makes for a great action flick worth watching but then you add in Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Alan Ruck, and Jeff Daniels. Dennis Hopper (RIP) makes for an EXCELLENT, spine-tingling villain who is obsessed with blowing things up for money.
- DirectorAndrew DavisStarsHarrison FordTommy Lee JonesSela WardDr. Richard Kimble, unjustly accused of murdering his wife, must find the real killer while being the target of a nationwide manhunt led by a seasoned U.S. Marshal.Harrison Ford. 'Nuf said.
- DirectorJan de BontStarsHelen HuntBill PaxtonCary ElwesTwo storm chasers on the brink of divorce must work together to create an advanced weather alert system by putting themselves in the cross-hairs of extremely violent tornadoes.Another Jan de Bont film which I think deserves the top 10. It was through this movie that I really got into the science of tornadoes.
- DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsGeorge ClooneyMark WahlbergJohn C. ReillyAn unusually intense storm pattern catches some commercial fishermen unaware and puts them in mortal danger.OK, so this movie has a lot of CGI effects but I think it's definitely in my top 10. It's freakin' cool and sad at the same time because it's based on a true story from 1991.
- DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsTom HanksBarkhad AbdiBarkhad AbdirahmanThe true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.Tom Hanks stars as Captain Phillips (based on the real life character) who commands Maersk Alabama which is taken over by 4 Somali pirates. Kind of slow at the beginning but the end is really intense.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsJohn TravoltaNicolas CageJoan AllenTo foil a terrorist plot, FBI agent Sean Archer assumes the identity of the criminal Castor Troy who murdered his son through facial transplant surgery, but the crook wakes up prematurely and vows revenge.This movie can be a little too intense so I don't watch it very often but I think it deserves a spot on my list.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsRussell CroweJoaquin PhoenixConnie NielsenA former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.Russell Crowe is awesome as Maximus, the gladiator. This is one of the best historical action films of all time.
- DirectorJan de BontStarsAngelina JolieGerard ButlerChris BarrieAdventurer Lara Croft goes on a quest to save the mythical Pandora's Box, before an evil scientist finds it, and recruits a former Marine turned mercenary to assist her.Yes, Jan de Bont again. He combines a cool storyline with incredible scenery and a hunky actor (Gerard Butler). What could be bad about this? :P
- DirectorJan de BontStarsLiam NeesonCatherine Zeta-JonesOwen WilsonDr Marrow enlists Theo, Luke and Nell for a study of sleep disorders at the Hill House. As soon as the terrifying truth about the mansion is revealed, everyone is found fighting for their lives.I might as well just put Jan de Bont's other movie on here that I've seen, even though I didn't think it was the best movie. The CGI special effects were cheesy and cheap but I still find this movie entertaining.
- DirectorMartin CampbellStarsAntonio BanderasAnthony HopkinsCatherine Zeta-JonesA young thief seeking revenge for his brother's death is trained by the once-great, aging Zorro, who is pursuing his own vengeance.Anthony Hopkins is one of my all-time favorite actors. There's a lot of swashbuckling action in this film.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodViggo MortensenIan McKellenGandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.I loved all 3 of the LOTR movies but the final one was my absolute favorite because it focuses a lot on Aragorn, one of my favorite characters, and his return to the throne. I love the incredible battle, as well.
- DirectorBrett RatnerStarsJackie ChanChris TuckerKen LeungA loyal and dedicated Hong Kong Inspector teams up with a reckless and loudmouthed L.A.P.D. detective to rescue the Chinese Consul's kidnapped daughter, while trying to arrest a dangerous crime lord along the way.One of my favorite comedy action flicks. Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan make a great team!
- DirectorLes MayfieldStarsMartin LawrenceLuke WilsonPeter GreeneA former convict poses as a cop to retrieve a diamond he stole years ago.Martin Lawrence plays a fast-talking diamond thief who poses as a cop to find the jewel he hid in a police station 2 years earlier while it was being constructed. Really funny!
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsGerard ButlerLena HeadeyDavid WenhamIn the ancient battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fight against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. They face insurmountable odds when they are betrayed by a Spartan reject.This movie combines my love for Greek mythology with history to make a spectacular cinema!
- DirectorSteve OedekerkStarsMartin LawrenceTim RobbinsJohn C. McGinleyNick's wife's in bed with his boss. He later gets a gun to his head by a carjacker but steps on the gas pedal. They end up friends after adventures together - holdups, burglary, reckless driving, revenge etc. Twists follow.A lot of profanity, which I'm not a fan of, but I love the premise of the movie. Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence make an unlikely, but very funny, team.