Buzz
In the realm of action films, bigger is always better. Directors strive to take things to the next level with heart-stopping explosions, jaw-dropping car, plane, and helicopter crashes, as well as unforgettable villains and heroes that steal the show. Take the Fast & Furious franchise, for example—look at where it began and how it evolved after the fourth film. It’s clear that action movie fans crave… action. And lots of it.
With all that action unfolding on screen, it's only natural that some secrets—both obvious and subtle—make their way into the final cut. This list highlights a few lesser-known tidbits that add even more intrigue to the action film world. Potential spoilers ahead.
10. The Expendables—2010
While the first installment of The Expendables franchise received mixed reviews in 2010, it quickly became a fan favorite and a box-office sensation. Featuring big stars like Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, and Mickey Rourke, the film follows a group of top-tier mercenaries on a mission to take down a Latin American dictator.
Filming wasn’t without its fair share of behind-the-scenes incidents. Stallone allegedly sustained at least 14 injuries, including a neck fracture that required a metal plate to be inserted. This injury occurred during a fight scene with Steve Austin. At one point, Austin was dangerously close to a stunt explosion, and his leg would have been severed if not for a heavy-duty airbag positioned nearby, which absorbed most of the blast.
9. John Wick—2014
When John Wick hit theaters in 2014, audiences were immediately captivated by Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of the titular character. The intense action film earned an impressive 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, and fans flocked to theaters to see the man referred to as Baba Yaga—or the ‘boogeyman’—in action. However, Baba Yaga isn’t exactly the boogeyman; rather, she’s a mythical Russian witch who tricks people into her home before consuming them. She roams on chicken legs, travels via a flying mortar, and her hut is surrounded by a fence made of human bones.
Honestly, I doubt John Wick would have had the same lasting appeal if he’d been running around on chicken legs.
8. Rise of the Planet of the Apes – 2011
Caesar is undoubtedly the standout character in *Rise of the Planet of the Apes*. This highly intelligent and devoted chimpanzee endures mistreatment in an animal shelter alongside other primates. However, during an uprising, the apes break free from their captors and the harsh conditions of the shelter, ultimately finding a new refuge in the forest.
The memorable moment when Caesar utters his first word, 'no,' is a nod to the films of the 70s. *Rise of the Planet of the Apes* also brings the franchise full circle with the scene in which a spaceship is launched, reminiscent of Charlton Heston’s crew departing on their mission in *Planet of the Apes*.
Additionally, after the apes escape their confinement, four iconic leaders appear together in one powerful shot: Maurice, Caesar, Buck, and Rocket. These characters embody the four major ape species: Bonobo, Chimpanzee, Gorilla, and Orangutan.
7. *Mad Max: Fury Road* – 2015
This wild, post-apocalyptic action film made a huge splash worldwide, raking in nearly 400 million at the box office. Producers had been eager to make the movie since 1997, but numerous obstacles delayed production. In 2001, just as they were about to start filming, the 9/11 attacks threw a wrench in the plans. Then, in 2003, the Iraq War once again put the project on hold.
The film was finally finished in 2013, with its premiere taking place in May 2015. It was clear that a tremendous amount of effort went into the movie’s production, with over 80% of the stunts and effects being achieved practically rather than through CGI.
*Fury Road* stirred controversy, with some viewers accusing the film of pushing a pro-feminist agenda. Complaints arose due to the significant screen time given to Charlize Theron’s character and the inclusion of material from Eve Ensler, the author of *The Vagina Monologues*. There were even calls for a boycott of the movie by Men’s Rights Activists.
6. *Interstellar*—2014
Christopher Nolan's *Interstellar*, a science fiction action film, was a major box-office success in 2014, with its thought-provoking ending leaving audiences speechless.
As is often the case with space-themed films, *Interstellar* required extensive research. The movie's foundational concepts came from Dr. Kip Thorne, a Nobel laureate and theoretical physicist. While he agreed to have his theories used, he demanded that the film remain scientifically accurate, with any speculative science being explained by a scientist, not a screenwriter. However, director Christopher Nolan was initially determined to have the characters travel faster than light, a notion Thorne spent two weeks convincing Nolan to abandon.
5. *Furious 7*—2015
*Furious 7* marks the seventh chapter in the *Fast & Furious* saga, but it will forever be remembered as the final film to feature the late Paul Walker. Walker was in the midst of filming when he tragically passed away in a car accident on November 30, 2013. Directed by James Wan, the film went on to earn more than 1.5 billion dollars worldwide, making it the highest-grossing installment of the franchise in just two weeks.
What some may find surprising is that Paul Walker wasn’t the first choice to portray Brian O’Conner. Initially, filmmakers considered Eminem, Mark Wahlberg, and Christian Bale before ultimately selecting Walker. After *Furious 7* hit theaters, it was revealed that Denzel Washington had been offered a role in the film, but he turned it down, and the part went to Kurt Russell instead.
4. *Baby Driver* – 2017
*Baby Driver* is far from your typical action film. This movie stands out by combining a killer soundtrack with a unique, partially hearing-impaired protagonist, delivering a thrilling yet fresh ride that captivated audiences everywhere.
In 1994, Edgar Wright, the director of Baby Driver, conceived the idea for the movie after hearing the track 'Bellbottoms' by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. This very song plays during the opening scene of the film. Wright was additionally influenced by various films known for their car chases, such as The Italian Job, Vanishing Point, Smokey and the Bandit, and The Blues Brothers.
It took at least 18 months to secure the rights for the music tracks featured in Baby Driver, before filming could commence, starting with the iconic musical duo Simon & Garfunkel.
3. Bad Boys for Life – 2020
Fans of the Bad Boys franchise patiently awaited the release of the third installment for 17 years. Bad Boys for Life finally debuted in early 2020, grossing over $400 million. It also set the record for the highest-grossing film ever released in January.
Michael Bay, who directed the first two Bad Boys films, handed over the direction for the third movie to Belgian filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. Will Smith served as a co-producer alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Doug Belgrad. Bay made a cameo as a wedding MC, directing the scene using his signature 360-degree camera angle. This, however, creates a plot inconsistency, as Bay also appeared in the second film, playing the driver of a car hijacked by Mike and Marcus.
The tumultuous relationship between Michael Bay and the studio during the production of the first *Bad Boys* movie was a key factor in the eventual creation of its sequels. Bay voiced frustration over having to fight for approval on many of his creative ideas. Additionally, he had several conflicts with the crew, who resisted his distinct approach to editing scenes. However, his unique style eventually became influential, as other filmmakers adopted his methods after the success of the first film.
2. *6 Underground*—2019
Premiering on Netflix, *6 Underground* stars Ryan Reynolds, Mélanie Laurent, Corey Hawkins, and Dave Franco. Directed by Michael Bay, the movie follows an American billionaire, portrayed by Reynolds, who stages his own death and forms a team of vigilantes to take down terrorists and other violent criminals.
Despite mixed reviews, *6 Underground* has been a hit with action movie fans, thanks to its thrilling elements: explosive scenes, car chases, and an impossibly attractive cast. In many ways, it embodies the essence of a typical Michael Bay film.
This was Michael Bay’s first project for Netflix and became the streaming platform's second most expensive film, following *Bright*, which starred Will Smith. The film featured real UAE soldiers as extras, and the military also provided aircraft for several action sequences. The yacht featured in the movie was rented from Shahid Khan, a Pakistani-American billionaire who owns Flex-N-Gate and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The First Purge – 2018 marks the beginning of a chilling new chapter in the Purge saga. Serving as a prequel to the previous trilogy, it dives deeper into the origin of the controversial societal experiment to lower America's crime rate by allowing a 12-hour period of lawlessness each year. Despite being criticized as a B-movie by many, it has garnered a cult following, contributing to the film series' impressive $300 million earnings against a modest $23 million production budget.
The First Purge is set apart by the absence of James DeMonaco's direction and creative influence, although his legacy remains evident throughout the series. As a child, DeMonaco was fascinated by the Manson murders, and this dark interest continues to shape much of his work. The impact of the Manson cult on his storytelling remains a key influence on the Purge films, even in his limited involvement with this installment.
Even though DeMonaco did not direct The First Purge, the film still contains several subtle details and symbols that dedicated fans may have missed. For example, a poster for the 2018 Halloween movie can be spotted during a scene, but this creates confusion in the timeline, as the Purge was supposed to have started in 2017. It's one of those little things that can cause fans to pause and reconsider the world the film is set in.
A striking motif in The First Purge is the pervasive use of blue, which becomes impossible to ignore once noticed. From the campaign materials of the New Founding Fathers of America, including their flags and pins, to mercenaries clad in blue hoodies, the color blue dominates. Notably, Isaiah, bathed in a wash of blue light and framed by blue walls, becomes a key visual element. This recurring theme draws attention to the aesthetic and symbolism woven into the film.
The color blue is a consistent visual motif throughout The First Purge, becoming almost overwhelming once you start noticing it. From the New Founding Fathers of America's campaign signs and flags to the blue-hooded mercenaries, the color is everywhere. Isaiah, under blue lighting and surrounded by blue walls, only adds to the motif's significance, reinforcing the deep symbolism tied to the film's visual storytelling.
