10 Underrated Action Movies From the 2010s

As a seasoned action movie enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the high-octane world of cinematic thrills and spills, I must say that this list of underrated action films is nothing short of a treasure trove for us die-hard fans!

As we approached the new millennium, my fascination lay with Hollywood’s shift in focus. They seemed to be predominantly engaged in remaking horror classics, constructing superhero universes, and recognizing television as a formidable medium. The advancements in special effects were truly remarkable, forcing traditional genres to evolve with the changing landscape of filmmaking. Additionally, action films were starting to make their grand entrance into this dynamic scene.

The 2000s transitioned into the 2010s, yet there wasn’t much evolution in the action genre beyond fresh faces trying to make a mark on the silver screen. The grand action scenes, daring stunts, and simplistic narratives remained constant. However, directors like Christopher Nolan brought a touch of elegance to the action films. Furthermore, streaming platforms stepped in with their financial support, producing their own action movies that eventually expanded into franchises.

Additionally, we found some under-appreciated action movies from the past decade that didn’t quite reach stardom. Given the public’s enthusiasm for this genre, let’s add these underrated action flicks to our must-watch lists instead.

10 ‘Overlord’ (2018)

In this rephrased version, we follow a group of American paratroopers who soar over a French town under Nazi control. Unfortunately, their plane is hit and crashes, leaving only a few survivors, including Private First Class Edward Boyce. Struggling to find help and safety, Boyce discovers that the village is a site where the Nazis are conducting horrific experiments on locals, resulting in some of these subjects becoming dangerous and unpredictable.

War + Horror + Action = One of the Most Original Movies of the 2010s

Initially, the movie seems like a compelling war drama, but in an instant, it transforms into an intense action-horror flick featuring zombies that are downright gruesome, and characters who keep getting shot yet refuse to die. Despite positive reviews, its high production costs and moderate box office performance meant it was outshone by other films that played it safer with genre blending.

You can stream Overlord on Kanopy.

9 ’13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi’ (2016)

Michael Bay’s film titled “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” draws loose inspiration from events that unfolded in Libya during 2012. In this time, Americans chose to keep a diplomatic presence even as the nation was transitioning from the rule of its former leader and working towards establishing order. A team of soldiers stationed at a CIA annex found themselves under brutal attack by local militants. To ensure their survival, they were compelled to take necessary actions.

One of Michael Bay’s Truly Underrated Features

In earlier times, many viewers found fault with the movie due to its excessive deviations from reality and unrealistic nature. However, it seems that realism wasn’t the primary objective. Instead, Bay was striving to create a more serious production, utilizing his signature filmmaking techniques while reducing the number of robots and CGI, and emphasizing the human characters’ struggle against terrorism. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t as terrible as people claimed, and it even received an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound in 2017.

8 ‘Safe House’ (2012)

The narrative of Safe House revolves around CIA agent Matt Weston, who’s based in Cape Town overseeing a secure facility for the agency, known as a “safe house.” Ex-officer Tobin Frost has turned traitor and is now a fugitive, possessing a vital artifact that draws mercenaries seeking to reclaim it. With no other options, Frost surrenders and ends up in Weston’s care. However, the mercenaries trace him down to the safe house, prompting the junior officer to assist Frost in making an escape.

Two of the Best-Written Characters in the Genre

In my opinion, prior to his comedic stints, Ryan Reynolds graced our screens with movies like “Safe House.” Partnering with the illustrious Denzel Washington turned out to be a masterstroke for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s shining star, as they crafted two of the most compelling characters in contemporary action cinema.

7 ‘Premium Rush’ (2012)

Under the guidance of director David Koepp, Premium Rush unfolds an exhilarating tale about Wilee, a bicycle courier who forsakes law school in favor of city deliveries. The narrative is straightforward: while transporting a package containing something highly valuable to a corrupt cop, Wilee chooses to elude capture by navigating the urban landscape on his trusty bike.

The White Knuckle Thriller You Never Saw

Featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a demanding physical role, the action-adventure film Premium Rush was overlooked by many when it came out in 2012. Despite a limited theatrical release, it failed to recoup its production costs. However, this underestimated movie garnered praise from critics for its lack of excessive violence. Renowned critic Roger Ebert awarded it 3.5 stars out of 4.

6 ‘Sucker Punch’ (2011)

Sucker Punch narrates the story of a girl named Babydoll, who is confined in a mental asylum by her stepfather, who fears she could be harmful to others. To find solace, she immerses herself in an imaginative realm where she and other patients transform into warriors. They then strategize on how to break free from the asylum.

Zack Snyder’s Unrecognized Gem

Contrary to popular belief in 2011, Zack Snyder’s film “Sucker Punch” is not the poorly-received action flick that it was often portrayed as. It’s a complex tale with stunning visuals, an engaging villain, and an exceptional female cast. Despite its grand ambitions, this underrated action-fantasy movie has been criticized for alleged misogyny, but its true worth lies beyond such simplistic labels.

5 ‘Lucy’ (2014)

Lucy finds herself in Taiwan, studying overseas. Her boyfriend persuades her to carry a briefcase for him, but things take an unexpected turn when Lucy gets caught up in a drug smuggling operation and unwittingly ingests the illicit substances. The drugs inexplicably grant her superhuman abilities. Once Lucy discovers she has these powers, she loses control over them.

Ridiculous But Extremely Entertaining

a character transformed into a destructive force capable of annihilating humanity. Ignore those who dismiss it as nonsensical, as that’s precisely its intended absurdity.

4 ‘No Escape’ (2015)

In the film titled “No Escape“, Jack Dwyer holds a significant role within a corporation collaborating with an Asian government. Upon their arrival at their new residence, just hours pass before a coup occurs and the ruling government is ousted. Consequently, Dwyer and his family find themselves in grave danger as the uprising forces have decreed that all foreigners should be put to death.

A Weirdly Realistic Action Thriller

The response to the movie “No Escape” was surprisingly mixed. This is an action-packed film featuring Owen Wilson, who was trying something other than comedy, and it’s based on a fast-paced plot that doesn’t let you catch your breath. Some might say it’s as absurd as they claim, but perhaps they were just jumping on the bandwagon of countries in Asia that have been restricting or banning the film due to obvious reasons.

3 ‘Unstoppable’ (2010)

In Tony Scott’s film, “Unstoppable,” we follow the tale of an engineer and a conductor as they race against time to prevent a catastrophe. Faced with the challenge of stopping an out-of-control train barreling down the tracks at top speed, about to derail, Frank and Will must devise a solution on the fly. The situation becomes even more dire when it’s revealed that the freight cars contain a highly explosive substance, ratcheting up the suspense.

Among Tony Scott’s Best Films

Drawing inspiration from the real-life event known as the Crazy Eights incident, Unstoppable stands out as an exceptional disaster action film. Featuring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine, this movie offers a gripping portrayal of a modern disaster scenario that seems plausible in reality without overstepping its bounds. The film was recognized with an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Editing, although it ultimately lost to the 2010 action juggernaut, Inception.

You can stream Unstoppable on Max.

2 ‘Kick-Ass 2’ (2013)

In “Kick-Ass 2,” the main character, Kick-Ass, is eager to return to action following his retirement, which occurred after he killed Frank D’Amico in the initial film. He’s currently working on assembling a team of superheroes, with his only ally being Hit-Girl, a young girl who isn’t afraid to dish out beatings while peppering her speech with profanity. Chris D’Amico, son of the deceased villain, takes over his father’s criminal empire and decides to become a supervillain. His new moniker? The Son of a Gun, or simply, The Motherf**ker.

A Notable Sequel That Often Gets Disregarded as Lousy

In terms of undervalued action sequels, “Kick-Ass 2” stands as a commendable addition to the genre. It doesn’t just aim to replicate its success from the first installment; instead, it effectively leverages the satirical tone that characterizes the superhero series. Jim Carrey delivers an impressive performance in the movie, and despite mixed reviews at release, it has proven to be quite timeless.

1 ‘Jack Reacher’ (2012)

In the story titled “Jack Reacher“, a military investigator named Jack Reacher is called upon by a sniper who stands accused of murder. James Barr believes that Reacher has the ability to uncover the truth about the individuals who have set him up. Yet, as Reacher delves deeper into what appears to be a conspiracy, he discovers two crucial facts: Barr isn’t entirely innocent, and the murder is a mask for something much more sinister lurking beneath the surface.

Tom Cruise’s Underseen Action Franchise

Featuring renowned Hollywood action actor Tom Cruise, the movie is modeled after Lee Child’s literary series that has also grown into a popular television program. However, Cruise’s initial film presents an authentic action-thriller that isn’t shy about portraying intense violence, and interestingly enough, offers a glimpse of its central character as somewhat vulnerable – which is uncommon in Tom Cruise films.

2024-12-06 04:32