Action Movies

Action movies are popular with audiences because they provide a sense of excitement and escapism. Films of this genre tend to depict violence and fighting. The spectacle is an important aspect of action movies. Therefore special effects are often prevalent. Older action movies used to require stunt work and practical effects. However, thanks to the advent of CGI, most modern ones will utilize computers instead.

Die Hard

Bruce Willis stars as a New York cop who finds himself stuck in the middle of a hostage situation. He uses all of his cunnings to outwit a criminal gang led by Alan Rickman. This film was followed by several sequels of varying quality.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Terminator 2 is often cited as the greatest action film of all time. The story follows two cyborgs sent back in time from the future. One attempts to kill a boy, while the other serves as his protector. This beloved action movie helped catapult Arnold Schwarzenegger to international stardom. James Cameron’s direction favours large scale explosive effects and clever visuals. Not only does it look great, but it also has a solid script.

Mad Max 2

Set in the Australian outback after a nuclear war, this nihilistic film stars Mel Gibson as Max, a lone wanderer. When he meets a group of survivors he promises to help them transport precious cargo before it is stolen by bandits. Mad Max 2 is notable for its death-defying car chases which feature real stunts.

The Matrix

An ordinary office worker discovers he is living in a simulated reality. Once he is freed he joins a resistance movement dedicated to fighting the machines that have secretly enslaved mankind. The Matrix features the iconic “bullet time” scene, where Neo dodges multiple gunshots in slow motion.

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight is the second film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Heath Ledger plays the Joker, a role that earned him a posthumous Academy Award. This villain causes great havoc to the city of Gotham. Batman struggles to stop his reign of terror and ends up having to sacrifice those closest to him.

Face/Off

In order to unravel a terrorist plot, an FBI agent must swap faces with a criminal. However, when the criminal escapes he assumes the agent’s life as his own. The film stars Nicolas Cage and John Travolta who swap roles with impressive ease. Face/Off also contains several over the top action scenes worth watching.