As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the thrilling world of action movies, I must say that the stories of these three remarkable actors truly resonate with me. Each one of them embodies a level of commitment and dedication to their craft that is nothing short of inspiring.
Today, in the world of contemporary cinema, CGI and special effects have become a common choice for filmmakers and production houses. However, nothing beats the experience of watching an exhilarating action movie on the large screen, knowing that the daring stunts and pulsating sequences are genuine and unscripted. Remarkable action films often prefer practical stuntwork, bringing together top-notch professionals to deliver outstanding performances. These skilled artists and coordinators rely on captivating fighting techniques and a variety of martial arts to leave audiences spellbound.
Matt Damon transformed into a bona fide action powerhouse when he assumed the legendary Jason Bourne character in the exhilarating Bourne series, much like Keanu Reeves captivated audiences with his portrayal of the main assassin in the John Wick movie franchise. Both distinguished actors immersed themselves wholeheartedly into their roles and endured the rigorous physical training necessary for these high-paying ventures. Check out these 10 top-tier action films where the stunts are entirely authentic.
10 Atomic Blonde (2017)
2017’s action-packed thriller Atomic Blonde, directed by David Leitch, showcased the remarkable talent of Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron as Lorraine Broughton, a tough and resilient MI6 operative. In the final days before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Lorraine was dispatched to Berlin on a mission: to retrieve a vital document and solve the murder of a fellow agent. Alongside MI6’s Berlin station chief David Percival, portrayed by James McAvoy, Lorraine battled dangerous adversaries at every turn in her determined pursuit of justice.
Theron’s Fiery Full-Throttle Performance
As a passionate movie reviewer, I found myself utterly captivated by Charlize Theron’s transformative performance in her latest role. To fully embody this fierce character, she collaborated with no less than eight personal trainers, pushing herself to the limit. Interestingly, during the preparation for John Wick: Chapter 2, I discovered that she even engaged in intense sparring sessions with Keanu Reeves. This dynamic duo’s training regimen eventually evolved into a friendly yet competitive relationship, making their on-screen action scenes all the more electrifying.
In the intense action sequences of the movie, Atomic Blonde, the actress suffered two broken teeth and sustained bruises on her ribs. The film is filled with breathtaking stunts such as Theron’s character executing a daring leap from a three-story building, engaging in a grueling stairwell brawl, and using her reliable red high-heels to subdue a kidnapper.
9 The Killer (1989)
Often hailed as an action movie classic, John Woo’s 1989 film The Killer tells the story of a skilled assassin named Ah Jong (played by Chow Yun-fat). As he attempts to leave his life of crime and disconnect from the Triads, a tragic incident at a nightclub leaves a singer blind. Determined to make amends, Ah Jong embarks on one last mission to earn enough money for her sight restoration surgery.
When Jong gets betrayed, he unwillingly joins forces with a persistent police officer to bring down his powerful adversaries.
Woo Crafts a Certified Action Masterpiece
In “The Killer,” Woo opted for an unconventional approach, creating exhilarating action scenes spontaneously. Rather than relying on detailed storyboards, he gave actors and stunt performers the freedom to brainstorm ideas as they went along. This was a method praised by the director himself in the DVD commentary, stating his preference for this improvisational style.
“work as an artist, like a painter. I want to show where my mood takes me.”
In the movie, the thrilling church showdown, which required a total of 36 days to film due to its intricate nature, and the 28-day beach house gunfight are two examples of Woo’s meticulous work in creating memorable stunts, heart-pounding action sequences, and intense violence. These elements, among others, make The Killer an enduring cinematic classic.
8 Spectre (2015)
Over the past several decades, audiences have been thoroughly enthralled by the stylish yet lethal MI6 agent 007, his powerful adversaries, and the numerous perils he’s faced while safeguarding our planet. When Daniel Craig assumed the role of the legendary secret agent, the action and excitement reached unprecedented levels.
2015’s film “Spectre” features James Bond squaring off against the villainous organization of the same name, as well as its enigmatic leader, Franz Oberhauser (played by Christoph Waltz). This character plays a significant role in some unfortunate incidents that have impacted Bond’s life.
Spectre Opens With an Exciting Bang
In the film Spectre, all stunts are strikingly realistic, serving to emphasize the intense action and peril that Bond faces. The movie’s thrilling opening scene kicks off with a powerful explosion: Bond engages in a fierce fight with his target, both suspended precariously from a spinning helicopter over Mexico City. In an exhilarating sequence, the chopper spins wildly out of control, with Bond clinging desperately as he battles his assailant.
The difficult acrobatics and tricks in that particular scene received tremendous appreciation from the audience, with Spectre continuing to be celebrated for its elaborate, thrilling action scenes, close-quarters fighting, and spectacular car and airplane chases.
7 Who Am I? (1998)
Jackie Chan, well-known for his death-defying stunts and dedication to his craft, took his stunning acrobatics one step further when he starred in the 1998 Hong Kong action comedy Who Am I?. In this film, he played a man who had lost his memory after a helicopter accident and was on a journey to uncover his real identity while evading a corrupt CIA agent.
As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but sing praises for the extraordinary martial arts prowess and groundbreaking performances that are synonymous with Chan. In the heart-pounding action movie we recently watched, these skills were put on dazzling display.
Chan’s Daring & Dangerous Free Fall
In any situation that requires extraordinary feats, Chan’s character is known for going above and beyond. This time, he needed an urgent escape from a towering building, so he decided to swiftly descend a precipitously sloping surface to accomplish his mission.
The outcome was an incredibly perilous on-screen stunt, where Chan hurtled down a towering 21 stories on a slippery surface without any safety measures, somersaulting and rolling all the way to the bottom. It’s his fearless commitment to creating heart-stopping stunts that keeps Chan and his movies captivating, as this death-defying stunt could easily have ended disastrously.
6 Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
As a fervent fan, I can attest that Tom Cruise has undeniably carved out a place among the bravest action heroes gracing the silver screen. His unwavering dedication to pushing boundaries and delivering thrilling action sequences is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Among the Mission Impossible movies, Tom Cruise’s performance in the 2015 film Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation stands out as one of his best. In this installment, Ethan Hunt and his top-notch team engage in a battle against The Syndicate, a secret organization made up of disloyal government agents.
Cruise’s Unmatched Devotion to Action Stunts
There’s no question that Cruise fearlessly puts himself in harm’s way to capture thrilling action scenes, and he’s well-known for executing his own stunts. As evident in the movie Rogue Nation, he even dangled from a cargo plane while chasing after his target, simply for the excitement of it all.
Cruise really was gripping the door and dangling from the plane, a stunt that was heavily promoted ahead of the blockbuster’s release and one of its many standout sequences. The stunt was completed in eight daring takes and the plane hovered around 5,000 feet off the ground, with the gutsy Cruise being strapped to the side of the aircraft with a harness as a safety precaution.
5 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
3 decades following the third installment of the groundbreaking dystopian action saga initially released in theaters, the 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road signified a powerful comeback for the legendary George Miller series and boasted an impressive roster of actors including Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Hoult.
In a desolate landscape after the apocalypse, where water and fuel hold supreme importance, Max Rockatansky joins forces with the brave Imperator Furiosa to defeat the tyrant Immortan Joe and his followers.
Fury Road Dazzles & Thrills Audiences
In a spectacular blend of critical acclaim and box office success, Mad Max: Fury Road was celebrated for its stunning visuals, thrilling action set pieces, and state-of-the-art special effects. The film’s rapid pace necessitated a considerable amount of complex stunt work, which was carried out by over 150 stunt performers in this post-apocalyptic production. Both the stunt coordinator Guy Norris and director George Miller aimed to make the action sequences truly memorable for viewers, with Norris stating in Rolling Stone that their goal was to deliver an unforgettable experience for moviegoers.
“We wanted to make it
real.
Real vehicles, real locations, real movement and real stunts.”
The buzzed-about “polecats” scene was also harrowing for Hardy, who was put through the ringer as he was actually strapped to the front of a moving vehicle.
4 The Bourne Identity (2002)
Matt Damon transformed into a full-fledged action star when he assumed the pivotal role of Jason Bourne in the 2002 thriller “The Bourne Identity,” a movie version of Robert Ludlum’s novel about a man struggling with amnesia who is trying to discover his real identity while evading ruthless killers.
Even though this enigmatic individual doesn’t know his true identity, it becomes clear that he has exceptional fighting abilities and an impressive command of languages, suggesting a potentially perilous past.
Matt Damon Emerges as an Action Superstar
Known for his theatrical roles, Damon agreed to star in an action-packed film adaptation, leading the Academy Award winner to embark on a grueling three-month regimen of training that included mastering stunts, martial arts, boxing, and handling weapons.
In the thriller, he was adamant about taking on a substantial portion of the strenuous tasks, and he primarily handled the close-quarter fights and risky stunts. Together with director Doug Liman, they skillfully choreographed fast and precise action scenes that emphasized Bourne’s extensive combat skills. Additionally, Liman chose to employ closer shots and faster editing, as well as a “handheld camera” approach, which amplified the perceived intensity and immediacy of the peril.
3 XXX (2002)
Instead of temporarily abandoning his involvement with illegal street racing and high-octane car pursuits, Vin Diesel opted to assume the lead role in the 2002 action movie “XXX“, where he portrayed Xander “XXX” Cage, a character known for living life on the edge as an extreme sports aficionado who was subsequently recruited by the NSA to embark on a perilous undercover assignment to penetrate a Russian terrorist organization.
In order to overcome a ruthless adversary during his secret operation, Cage draws strength from his determined mindset and courageous heart. He executes daring feats and maneuvers that seem to defy gravity throughout the process.
Daring Stunt Work Leads to a Shocking Death
In the high-octane film spectacle, Diesel diligently prepared for three months, mastering the art of motocross bike riding under the tutelage of renowned bikers worldwide. Notably, he was determined to execute many of his own thrilling stunts, an endeavor that led to an injury during the avalanche sequence when he fell on his head. This incident alarmed director Rob Cohen, who feared Diesel might have sustained a neck fracture. Cohen spoke highly of the actor, praising his dedication.
“I think the thing is that Vin did more than he should have, but less than he wanted to.”
In a tragic turn of events, the daring and courageous stunts in the movie resulted in the fatal accident of stuntman Harry O’Connor on April 4, 2002. He met his untimely end during filming when he collided with a pillar while performing a para-sailing scene.
2 John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
Just like Matt Damon, the cherished Keanu Reeves regained his position as a beloved action star when he started playing the iconic hitman John Wick in the widely admired franchise. He demonstrated an exceptional dedication to the series with each thrilling addition to the franchise.
2019’s film “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” sees the skilled killer being compelled to flee when a $14 million reward is put on his head. This situation forces him into a worldwide adventure as he attempts to evade his pursuers and find a means to escape from the perilous predicament he finds himself in.
Reeves & Berry Dominate Their Roles
Just like other stars in the thrilling series, Reeves took on most of his own daring stunts and put in rigorous training beforehand, much like Halle Berry did as well. Later, Reeves praised Berry for her dedication to her character and the movie, stating that she was “completely devoted” to Sofia Al-Azwar’s role and learned weapons handling and martial arts to portray her effectively.
In thrilling action sequences, both Reeves and Berry displayed their commitment and exceptional physical abilities, and the film Parabellum was praised for its long, complex fight scenes. This was because director Chad Stahelski, who had previously served as Reeves’ stunt double in The Matrix, knew what made for exciting action sequences.
1 Baby Driver (2017)
As a huge fan, I can’t help but sing praises for Edgar Wright’s exhilarating masterpiece, Baby Driver, which showcases an extraordinary ensemble of Hollywood talents headlined by Ansel Elgort, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, and Eiza Gonzalez. This action-packed gem revolves around the captivating character of Miles ‘Baby,’ a versatile criminal on speed dial with an insatiable love for music that he uses to execute his thrilling and daring getaways for his vibrant roster of clients.
When the infant encounters a caring waitress, he endeavors to escape his questionable line of work. However, he’s eventually drawn back into it after being employed by a merciless crime boss (portrayed by Kevin Spacey).
Wright’s Glorious Action Extravaganza
Wright aimed to employ authentic filmmaking methods to create the distinctive look of Baby Driver, taking cues from popular films such as American Graffiti, The Driver, and Point Break.
In the movie, they carefully synchronized choreography and stunts to create breathtaking car sequences that seemed to defy gravity. Later, the second-unit director, Darrin Prescott, described Baby Driver as his toughest assignment due to the intricate stunt work. All the effort put into it was worthwhile, as the action flick received praise for its technical finesse and provided visually stunning and authentic action scenes that really packed a punch.
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2024-08-25 02:02