As a seasoned film enthusiast who’s seen his fair share of action flicks, I wholeheartedly recommend “Die Hard with a Vengeance” and “The Rock”. These movies are not just superior to “Red Notice“, but they stand tall among the best action films ever made.
Despite garnering just 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, the comedic duo of Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds in “Red Notice” turned out to be one of Netflix’s biggest hits, even breaking viewing records on its premiere day. The success of “Red Notice” has led to plans for sequels featuring these high-profile stars, including Gal Gadot. If you’re yearning for more bickering between two leads, we’ve curated a list of buddy movies that fit the bill and then some, embodying all the elements “Red Notice” aimed to achieve.
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the captivating movies that showcase an unlikely duo navigating their differences to achieve a common goal, creating a whirlwind of unexpected events along the way. This formula never fails to deliver! One character often grapples with anger management issues, providing a striking contrast to the quick-witted, humorous counterpart. By the end of these stories, they’ve forged an unbreakable bond. Here’s a fantastic list of movies that I hope “Red Notice” will draw inspiration from in the future!
Midnight Run still hasn’t lost a step
Before Robert De Niro made people laugh in movies like “Meet the Parents,” “Dirty Grandpa,” and “Analyze This,” he starred opposite Charles Grodin in a film often considered his best, “Midnight Run.” In this movie, De Niro plays Jack Walsh, a bounty hunter who’s down on his luck. His current target, played by the mysterious Yaphet Kotto, is also wanted by the CIA for making Grodin talk. However, it turns out that the only person Grodin refuses to be silent around is Jack Walsh.
In an unexpected twist of partnership, “Midnight Run” excels by avoiding the usual stereotypes. Instead of Grodin being the chatty, energetic character and De Niro the stoic one, they share a common understanding, almost playing tricks on each other. What truly seals the deal is seeing peak De Niro in a genre that wouldn’t be his mainstay for years to come.
Instead of envisioning Jack Byrnes as a swearing old grandpa like you’ve seen in other roles, imagine him as a character with an irrational fear of fists, a fondness for pastries, and a sharp wit – these traits make him funnier than ever before. That’s why there have been discussions about a sequel to “Midnight Run” for quite some time. Regrettably, not all the original cast members are still with us. However, watching De Niro argue with the CIA and engage in heated disputes with Joe Pantoliano could potentially make another installment worthwhile.
The Nice Guys
In a less-than-cheerful universe, discussions about a new “Red Notice” sequel persist, leaving us longing for another encounter with the duo from “The Nice Guys.” Directed by Shane Black, this film showcases the dynamic partnership between Russell Crowe as a tough debt collector and Ryan Gosling as a humorous private investigator. After an adult film star’s demise, these two unlikely allies find themselves entangled in a comedic predicament. Crowe delivers a formidable performance as the muscle with a knack for breaking bones and meting out justice, while Gosling showcases his comic prowess in a way that wouldn’t be surpassed until he became Ken in “Barbie.
Soaring through with a banter-filled script reminiscent of classics like “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” and “Lethal Weapon,” the under-the-radar buddy movie “The Nice Guys” has experienced a resurgence, largely due to streaming platforms and social media’s persistent nudge for more viewers to catch it. If you find yourself choosing a film featuring one Ryan, make sure it’s this one, as we lament the missed opportunity of seeing him reprise the role, unfortunately overshadowed by “The Angry Birds Movie,” which debuted in the same week.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
If you’re planning to follow a globetrotting duo, who are on a quest for treasure, evading traps whenever possible, then joining forces with the Jones brothers could be your choice. Steven Spielberg’s cherished third installment in the series is often considered one of the best third movies in any franchise. The excitement and charm escalate significantly as Sean Connery joins Harrison Ford’s iconic character, Indiana Jones, with their roles complementing each other perfectly (although there were only 12 years between the two actors in real life). “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” is frequently praised as one of the greatest buddy movies ever made. Moreover, it has a depth that resonates more deeply than many others.
In a fresh and conversational manner: Steven Spielberg has consistently excelled at adding comedic elements, making “The Last Crusade” a beloved choice among Indiana Jones fans, thanks to the combined performances of Harrison Ford as the defiant Nazi-fighting hero and Sean Connery portraying his skeptical father. The clash of egos and heartwarming moments between father and son are unmatched. Whether it’s the emotional “I thought you were dead, boy” or the heartstring-tugging “Indiana, let go,” these lines will bring a tear to your eye and remind you of a time when every Indy adventure was cherished by all.
Lethal Weapon
It’s not surprising that Shane Black’s name appears multiple times on this list, so let’s add another entry: Donald Glover playing a character too old for Mel Gibson’s role in “Lethal Weapon.” Written by Black and successful enough to spawn three sequels, Glover portrayed Roger Murtaugh, who was partnered with Gibson’s Martin Riggs. This partnership serves as a model that many police pairings strive to emulate but few manage to replicate. The contrast between Gibson’s reckless heroics and Glover’s frequent exasperation as his world spirals out of control due to his new partner creates a perfect clash, resulting in a movie that shines brilliantly.
In the subsequent three movies, notable moments emerged, such as Joe Pesci’s role in “Lethal Weapon 2” and later appearances by Chris Rock and Jet Li in “Lethal Weapon 4.” However, the original film’s charm remains unparalleled, as Murtaugh struggles to keep his reckless potential ally Riggs under control while he runs barefoot through Los Angeles streets and engages in a brutal fight with Gary Busey on his lawn. Although discussions may arise about “Die Hard” being a holiday film, it’s essential to remember that this Richard Donner-directed masterpiece also offers a delightful dose of Christmas cheer, featuring a cast of both mischievous and virtuous characters.
The Last Action Hero
During an age when Arnold Schwarzenegger could transform anything into gold using his waffle-iron-like hands, the film “The Last Action Hero” was a gem misunderstood and released at an inopportune moment. Over time, it has gained much-deserved appreciation as a unique buddy movie that explores films themselves. In this movie, Austin O’Brien plays Danny Maddigan, a passionate cinephile who gets transported into the universe of his beloved action film series headlined by Jack Slater, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fictional character. Although he later passed on the title to Dwayne Johnson in “The Rundown,” this movie serves as a testament to Arnie’s impressive comedic abilities that even The Rock struggled to match.
Apart from taking on the role of an unwilling caretaker for a sassy, film-enthused child, Schwarzenegger skillfully employs character traits synonymous with his action hero persona, resulting in some genuinely outstanding scenes. From applauding Sylvester Stallone’s performance in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” to attempting to coin a new catchphrase for the iconic one (“Rubber baby buggy bumpers” still falls short), this film showcases one of Arnie’s finest performances that doesn’t involve him as a cyborg assassin. Furthermore, Charles Dance’s scene-stealing antagonist role and Ian McKellen’s brief portrayal of the Grim Reaper add to a movie that celebrates cinema and is far funnier than “Red Notice” could aspire to be, I’m sorry Mr. Reynolds.
Die Hard with a Vengeance
In the initial Die Hard films, John McClane (portrayed by Bruce Willis) performs optimally when he interacts with someone, whether friendly or hostile. In “Die Hard with a Vengeance,” he finds an ideal sparring partner in Zeus Carver, played by Samuel L. Jackson at his most charismatic. By happenstance, Zeus is drawn into McClane’s world due to a police officer throwing a criminal’s brother off a building. Zeus is a talkative store owner who delivers witty retorts that outshine the sharp-tongued Gruber, and their dynamic results in hilarious moments. This partnership, reminiscent of a successful buddy movie duo, is one of the reasons why “Die Hard with a Vengeance” ranks highly among Die Hard films.
As a gamer, I can’t help but notice the epic collaboration of two legendary figures in this action movie masterpiece. John McClane, the vest-wearing icon known for his run-ins with trouble in L.A., and Zeus, played by none other than Mr. Jackson, always seem to clash. If you’ve seen “Red Notice,” you might have picked up a hint from this gem – make the heroes just as formidable when they’re apart as they are together. The chemistry between these two was almost explosive, and no one has managed to replicate it since – not even close! After causing chaos on the streets of New York City, their most memorable moment is arguably when they’re trying to get precise water measurements, a task that only these two could handle.
The Rock
“The film ‘The Rock,’ featuring Sean Connery, offers an exciting watch that can serve as a great sequel to ‘Red Notice’ and arguably Michael Bay’s finest work. This high praise is due to the captivating dialogue between Nicolas Cage as the unstable chemist Stanley Goodspeed and Sean Connery as ex-Alcatraz inmate John Mason. Together, they must thwart a rogue military general transformed into a domestic terrorist who has seized control of an island. ‘The Rock’ stands out with its thrilling action sequences, including a San Francisco car chase and an epic showdown that even inspired the ‘Call of Duty’ video games. Essentially, Cage delivers as a scientist struggling to keep up while teaming up with a character who provides an unofficial swearing-inclusive James Bond sequel.
In a shift of roles, Goodspeed, played by Cage, transitions into action hero persona, while Connery returns to his 007 days as Mason. However, the surprising twist is that they are compelled to join forces against a common villain. Ed Harris delivers an impressive portrayal of the rebellious General Hummel, who exudes charm and is a villain with seemingly noble intentions. It’s advisable to focus on simply referring to “The Rock” instead of his movie title for a more streamlined experience.
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2024-09-29 15:00