Action Movies Countdown:

I have a few contributions, but someone else would have to rank them in the grand scheme... (the first would definitely be VERY high)

1. Die Hard
2. The Matrix
3. Hard Boiled
4. The Terminator
5. RoboCop

Some would say the Killer is better than Hard Boiled, but I think as a pure action film HB is miles better, despite the Killer being a better film overall. Make any sense? Kind of like how Drunken Master 2 is far from Jackie Chan's best plot-wise(not saying a ton, there), but I still consider it his best as far as pure action. On that note...

7. Drunken Master 2

8. Total Recall
9. The Punisher '89
10. Year Of The Dragon

2 are from my picks from the Action Draft back in 2008.

I'll throw in 3 more for an even 6.

11. Predator 2
12. Licence To Kill
13. The Outlaw Josey Wales

Come on, man. Some of my selections might be questionable, but Punisher '89 and Predator 2(which I do like a ton) over the original... for the top 50 action films of all time?

Not trying to be a dick(still possibly succeeding in being one), but... how?!

I'd also throw in Seven Samurai, mostly for it's second half(which is spectacular).
14. Seven Samurai

The Wages of Fear.

King Kong '33.

The Seven Samurai.

These are classic action films. But Die Hard and Hard Boiled are the number 1 and 2 for me.

ETA: I'll throw in Lethal Weapon 2 as well, actually.

I got Seven Samurai. But totally agreed on LW2, I prefer it to the first as well. Especially now that it's hard to find the original, non "directors cut" LW, which is chock full of redundant scenes(Riggs, you so crazy!).

I maybe was too hard on Eko, for I'm mostly listing classics(yeah, I'd consider the first Matrix is a modern classic), that I also happen to love the hell out of, but here's one more...

18. Mad Max 2 (the Road Warrior) (my first pick in the 80's draft. LW2 was actually my bonus round pick)

I cannot believe that we are up to...18, and the best buddy cop film is not listed, although it was mentioned.
18) Lethal Weapon (No way is...Die Hard, better than Lethal Weapon.)
19) Chuck Norris Eye For An Eye
20) Enter The Dragon
21) Kill Bill
22) Blade
23) Blade II
24) Punisher War Zone!
25) The Delta Force
26) Delta Force 2
27) Revenge Of The Ninja
28) American Ninja
29) American Ninja 2
30) G.I. Joe Rise Of Cobra

This is final, conclusive proof that you're not an actual person.

31) John Rambo.

Bless you Ben Thomas.

That was a pretty phenomenal action draft by the way...

Okay, my contributions...

North By Northwest (50s)

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (60s)

Marathon Man (70s)

Aliens (80s)

The Last Boy Scout (90s)

Now.... There have been some humdingers in the past 10 years, but I'm having trouble thinking of one that really stands out for "Best Of All Time" status. Believe it or not.

EDIT: Stelios picked a very respectable selection in that sense.

'Raiders of the Lost Ark'

OK, done.

Stelios, Um...No! I am a person. My tastes are simply not yours.
32) Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom

Sorry to single you out Eko.

Duke... c'mon man. I enjoy several of the films you listed, but at the same time, it's a list of the top 50, like ever. I consider Die hard a near-perfect action movie(I don't really believe in a perfect film, although some are close(if I did reviews there would never, or very rarely be a 10/10). Lethal Weapon is awesome as well, I just prefer the sequel. The humor is better, the villains are more evil, Leo Getz shows up, and Riggs and Murtaugh's bond/chemistry is even better. My main nitpick with 2 is making the villains involved with Riggs' past.

Sorry to single you out Duke.

That said, I don't mean to come off as an action snob. I'd like to hear about some more foreign action that stacks up with the best of Chan and Woo(it's kind of terrible but I was tempted to add Ong Bak, because the action/stunts/escalation are AMAZING), but I just couldn't.
I really would like to hear some more of the B-Action fellows chime in as well. I don't dabble much in the DTV world, but most I have seen are bad(or decent action but awful movie). I hear some people are elevating this area, and that's awesome. Several great new American performers and directors, but what's the best film?

I guess numbering is out the window...

Leon, or the Professional. Pick one.

Yeah, no. If we are talking Bay I´d actually wager to put the Rock on top. While Bad Boys 2 is sheer fun and mayhem, the movie itself is bloated and lags a lot of coherence. The Rock on the other hand just flows like the Rhine. Especially because it might be Bays most restrained movie I would put it on this list first. And it does feature Cage on fire and Connery in what I´d consider his final great role. But then again this all comes down to taste.

And another one I drafted a long time ago that should get a mention by now: Frankenheimers Ronin. Such a great old school spy movie, one of the best car chases ever and De Niro - again - in one of his last great performances.

I agree with the Rock. It's probably the only Bay film to have a quotable script containing actual good quotes, and it's far more coherent than most of his other work. Plus, a great cast.

That said, Bad Boys 2 works very well for what it is. Messy, over the top, awful scipt, and over-edited(but mostly coherent) action. I am a Bay fan, the only films of his I actively dislike are Transformers 2 and Pearl Harbor, and I even find parts of those shitty films that I love.

No, you're right. Die Hard is pretty much as close to a perfect film (not just in the action genre) as you're likely to find. I've spewed the whole thing about "textbook dramatic construction" so many times now that it's boring.

But, basically, you want to learn screenwriting? Study Die Hard. You want to learn pacing? Study Die Hard. You want to learn visual storytelling? Study Die Hard...

Etceteras. In a top 50 of all time, you put that at number 1? Not a problem in the least.

I also agree with you that Lethal Weapon 2 is the best LW (or, at least, the most purely fun. It's my favorite action movie of all time.)

And... All this The Rock/Con Air/Michael Bay talk...

Basically, if you're going to select just one Nic Cage 90s action picture to put in the top 50 - it has to be Face/Off. Period.

Project A - my personal pick for Chan's best. Amazing stunts, a decent story and briliantly choreographed fights, including some full contact sequences in the climax. A joy to behlod.

Nexus-7, Sure, I...Like Die Hard, but, I do not love it as others do. Die Hard 2, is the superior film. I would definitely place Lethal Weapon higher, than Die Hard. I also understand this list is...50 all time action films. That is why the ones I listed were...18-32, and not 1-17, which would definitely include...The first, 2, Indiana Jones Films, both Transformers films, Bad Boys 2, The Rock, Hard Boiled, The Road Warrior, Rambo First Blood Part 2, James Bond 007 The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only and Moonraker, Terminator and Terminator 2, True Lies, Commando, and Cobra!

Big fan of PROJECT A... the final fight scenes are fantastic.

Can I throw in ROBOCOP?

Oops, I missed a...HUUUUUUUUUUUUUge one!
Starship Troopers!
To me...Supercop with Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh (Khan) is...Jackie Chan's Best!

Sidenote: For everyone interested here is a link to the action draft from a while ago. Quite interesting in hindsight! Needless to say I won the shit out of this one....

I'd say for recent quality DTV, you should check BLOOD AND BONE, UNDISPUTED III, and UNIVERSAL SOLDIER 3. All have interesting stories and action that far surpasses anything currently being put on the big screen.

As for this list, I'd say you'd have to take a definitive movies for all the big stars. Bronson would get MR. MAJESTYK. Seagal would get OUT FOR JUSTICE. Norris would get THE DELTA FORCE. Van Damme would get HARD TARGET. Dolph would get UNIVERSAL SOLDIER.

Nope. I did. But you had a good run.

I had:

1. The Killer
2. The Rock
3. The Blade
4. Speed
5. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

This one right here. In retrospect, this was probably my favorite pick of the entire draft.

From my draft, I also submit 'The Incredibles' as being an exemplary action film.

Yeah... The Incredibles belongs.

I'd want to submit Ricochet... But none of you will let me.

Assholes.

Sorry. You might want to try with Virtuosity.

Battle Royale (Kinji Fukasaku, 2000)
Dark Of The Sun (Jack Cardiff, 1968)
Dirty Harry (Don Siegel, 1971)
The Fifth Element (Luc Besson, 1997)
Hot Fuzz (Edgar Wright, 2007)
Running Scared (Wayne Kramer, 2006)
Tombstone (George P. Cosmatos, 1993)

Heh heh... I hate that fucking movie.

No joke, though? If we're going to stick a Denzel in there, I'd say Training Day before Man On Fire. Agreed? (Keep in mind I like them both. I just give the edge to Day because of the cult nature of his performance.)

I like Barry Woodward's list overall... Though I have reservations about Running Scared. It's great, yes. But, ultimately, the Peter Hyams 80s movie is - I think - more seminal.

EXTREME PREJUDICE (1987) directed by Walter Hill

A full throttle action opus.

Holla back!

I'm going to throw in Flashpoint because it's a damn fine action film, the kind HK used to knock out like candy back in it's heyday. I know SPL is considered the better film but I find Flashpoint more entertaining for some reason.

Also Azumi is one hell of an action film, that climax is insane.

NathanW, I second the love for...Azumi! The Versus Directors Cut, and Godzilla Final Wars, are also terrific films directed by...Ryuhei Kitamura. For my money...Dragon Tiger Gate, is better than both...SPL, and Flashpoint.

I love Flashpoint. But one of the greatest action films of all time? Sorry, doesn't wash with me.

For incredible action, I'd also submit Police Story, though overall Project A is superior. Chan, Hung and Biao were The Three Stooges of China.

It might not be Top 50 material, but I really dig Virtuosity. It's actually one of my favourite Russell Crowe performances.

Evi, Project A 2, is not as good. Police Story 1-3 is...CHANtastic, and I also loved, First Strike, Jackie Chan's 007 knock off!

When that was brought up before, I didn't think anyone would speak well of it. I dislike it myself. But you're right about Crowe. And he's the only reason to watch that movie.

I guess if Crowe is to be on this list at all, Gladiator is about the only contender for a Top 50.

I thought my picks in the Action Draft were pretty solid choices.

1. The Punisher '89
2. Year Of The Dragon
3. Predator 2
4. Under Siege
5. Le Pacte Des Loups/Brotherhood Of The Wolf

My draft picks:

1. They Live
2. Die Hard 2: Die Harder
3. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
4. Streets of Fire
5. Pineapple Express

Bonuses: Magnum Force and Cop

And a few of my own submissions:

48 Hrs.
The Expendables
The Warriors
A Better Tomorrow
A Better Tomorrow II
Kick-Ass
Big Trouble in Little China
Taken
Death Wish and its first two sequels
First Blood
Escape from New York
Out for Justice
Nighthawks
Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
Tango & Cash
Rolling Thunder
The Gauntlet

And The Rookie, gotta have The Rookie.

I love the enthusiasm you have HT.

I will say that, of the Death Wish films, number 3 definitely qualifies as a seminal piece of action cinema.

Some, pre-80s Action Films worth remembering.

The Mark of Zorro
Safety Last
The General
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Yojimbo
The Wild Bunch

Southern Comfort
The Mechanic
Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
Sorcerer
Uncommon Valor
Prime Cut
The Getaway
Dirty Dozen

Die Hard
First Blood
Speed
Lethal Weapon
Hard Boiled
Breaking News
Terminator 2
The Bourne Ultimatum
Kill Bill vol 1
Casino Royale
Face Off
Unleashed
The Good, the bad, the weird
Eagle Eye
Run Lola Run
Point Break
The Rock
Mad Max 2
Raiders of the lost ark