Buzz
1. Wanted (2008)
From the very first frame, Wanted (2008) grabs the audience’s attention with an unprecedented gunfight, shattering expectations of ordinary battle scenes. Following that, a long-range sniper shot and an intense action sequence cut through any doubt about the film’s storyline.
The movie continues to deliver action, taking it to even greater heights. The gunfights grow increasingly absurd and over-the-top, yet their magnetism remains, heightened by raw and emotional hand-to-hand combat that feels incredibly real. The perfect blend of reality and fantasy, along with the iconic “bullet curve” effect, adds a unique spice to every moment of Wanted. With such thrilling visuals, it's easy to see why the film still has a loyal fanbase, despite being over a decade old.
The script was written by Chris Morgan, Michael Brandt, and Derek Haas, and directed by Timur Bekmambetov. The film stars James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Thomas Kretschmann, Common, Terence Stamp, and Konstantin Khabensky...
IMDb Rating: 6.7
Tomatometer: 71%
Audience Score: 69%
2. No Country for Old Men (2007)
No Country for Old Men (2007) leaves viewers with a sense of frustration and unease, driven by the film's absurdity and an ending that offers no satisfaction in any sense. Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actor, and Adapted Screenplay. It also took home 2 Golden Globes and numerous other prestigious accolades.
Throughout the film, the only character who can briefly match Anton's cold menace is Llewelyn. The chase between these two characters becomes the film's central focus. Llewelyn displays his battlefield experience, intelligence, and resourcefulness, escaping Anton's clutches multiple times thanks to his careful planning. On the other hand, Anton is a relentless, bloodthirsty killer with a terrifying “predator” instinct, capable of tracking Llewelyn without fail.
No Country for Old Men isn’t a film that you can fully understand after just one watch. It’s packed with hidden layers, subtle meanings, and existential themes that question the nature of good and evil, leaving only the raw essence of human nature.
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Tomatometer: 93%
Audience Score: 86%
3. Shoot 'Em Up (2007)
Shoot 'Em Up (2007) is an action-packed, psychological film with a touch of humor, directed and written by Michael Davis. Released in 2007, it stars Clive Owen, Monica Bellucci, and Paul Giamatti.
The film opens with a man sitting at a bus stop in the dead of night, nibbling on a carrot. A pregnant woman rushes past him, only to vanish down an alley, pursued by a thug with a gun. The man, later revealed as Smith, a seemingly ordinary name, decides to intervene. This sets off an explosive sequence of gunfire as Smith tries to save the woman, juggling childbirth and gunfights simultaneously.
IMDb Rating: 6.6
Tomatometer: 67%
Audience Score: 65%
4. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix (1999), also known as Ma Trận, won 4 Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound. It’s also ranked 18th on IMDb's list of the 250 greatest films of all time. The Matrix had a profound impact on action films in Hollywood post-1999.
The story follows Thomas Anderson, a computer technician who embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about the world he lives in. As he digs deeper, he realizes the disturbing nature of his reality and discovers he is 'the one' chosen to end the terrifying empire that controls it.
Set in a dystopian future of 2199, where humanity is nearly extinct and machines dominate, The Matrix presents a world of deception and technological control that remains unmatched in cinema to this day. It challenges viewers to question their perception of reality, offering a thought-provoking experience that still resonates.
Without The Matrix, it's hard to imagine the golden age of superhero films or the bold speculative sci-fi projects like Black Mirror, Westworld, Inception, and Interstellar that have emerged since.
IMDb Rating: 8.7
Tomatometer: 88%
Audience Score: 85%
5. Face/Off (1997)
Face/Off (1997) is arguably the best film from Chinese director John Woo and also one of the most bizarre. It captivates audiences with its intense action sequences, memorable slow-motion dual gunfire scenes, the courage of its characters, and an intriguing plot.
The story follows two bitter enemies: Detective Sean Archer (played by John Travolta) and criminal mastermind Caster Troy (played by Nicolas Cage). Caster is the man responsible for killing Sean's son. After a plane crash, Caster's whereabouts are discovered, and he is arrested. However, Sean devises a plan to undergo a facial transplant to assume Caster's identity, hoping to uncover the location of a bomb Caster has hidden.
The plot takes a dramatic twist when Caster wakes up and forces the doctors to give him Sean's face. From that point on, Sean, now played by Nicolas Cage, and Caster, now portrayed by John Travolta, must navigate their new identities, which explains the film's title, *Face/Off*.
IMDb Rating: 7.2
Tomatometer: 92%
Audience Score: 82%
6. Heat (1995)
Heat (1995) is known for its action scenes that are so realistic that they became training material for the US Marine Corps (USMC), who used it as a model for accurate shooting and reloading techniques. The U.S. Navy also used the film's footage to illustrate how to withdraw effectively under heavy fire.
This film marked the first time that legendary actors Robert De Niro and Al Pacino shared the screen together. However, beyond the star-studded cast, there's much more to *Heat*. Director Michael Mann went to great lengths to make the film as authentic as possible, both in obvious and subtle ways. He spent seven months shadowing the Los Angeles police, visiting crime scenes and investigating robberies and murders. This level of immersion and dedication contributed to making *Heat*'s iconic shootout one of the most realistic and thrilling in film history.
Upon its release in 1995, *Heat* was a commercial success, grossing $67 million in the U.S. and $187 million worldwide, against a production budget of $60 million.
IMDb Rating: 8.2
Tomatometer: 87%
Audience Score: 94%
8. Sicario (2015)
Sicario (2015) takes place amidst the brutal war on drugs in Mexico, unraveling decades of unresolved moral, political, and social conflicts in the region. Emily Blunt stars as FBI agent Kate Macer, who joins a covert operation to target drug cartels. *Sicario* delivers not only edge-of-your-seat thrills but also forces us to confront the ambiguity between right and wrong, good and evil.
The film’s two-hour runtime is packed with intense, fast-paced moments, but director Denis Villeneuve keeps it tightly edited without any unnecessary drag. Every scene is meticulously crafted to create a cohesive and gripping portrayal of the drug war along the border.
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Tomatometer: 92%
Audience Score: 85%
9. Taken (2008)
Taken (2008) marked a turning point in Liam Neeson's career, propelling him into the ranks of Hollywood's top action stars, even as he entered his later years. The story follows Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), a retired CIA operative who embarks on a mission to rescue his 17-year-old daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) after she is kidnapped by human traffickers while vacationing in Paris. With his specialized skills honed over years of service, Bryan races against the clock to save the girls within a tight 96-hour window.
Following the success of *Taken (2008)*, two sequels were released: *Taken 2 (2012)* and *Taken 3 (2014)*, both directed by Olivier Megaton and filmed in Los Angeles. The trilogy maintains continuity with familiar actors and a linear plot, though by the third installment, it begins to feel formulaic with the recurring theme of kidnapping and revenge. Nevertheless, it remains a solid, family-friendly action series, perfect for viewers who appreciate action with a moderate level of violence.
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Tomatometer: 59%
Audience Score: 85%
