Not gonna lie, I am not the biggest fan of action films myself. I just don’t get the appeal of sitting there watching people fighting, or crawling through dirt, or racing cars for an hour and a half. I am sure for many people the adrenaline rush, the association with the characters and the overall coolness of each scene keeps it fresh, but for me pure action wears off after a while. Even some pretty good action films, like The Avengers series, are a one-watch film for me. So what do we do when we want to watch an action film, but the whole room doesn’t necessarily like action? We put on one of these badboys.
1: The Dark Knight series
Synopsis: Batman films galore. The Dark Knight Series is a gritty reboot of Batman, focusing on his battles against three classic Batman villains: the Scarecrow, the Joker and Bane. The trilogy depicts Batman’s transformation over generations and is sure to strike a chord with fans of the comics.
The action: Explosions, fights and car chases, this film has it all.
The not-action: Not only does this series have amazing graphics, but it actually has an amount of old-school moral integrity and character to it. Even my grandmother loved this series, give them a go.
2: Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
Synopsis: The latest film in the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens is a space opera that follows the rise of a new generation, chronologically after the first trilogy. In this film a young girl discovers she is a powerful force wielder and joins up with a defecting Stormtrooper and a rebel to bring down the Empire’s latest plot.
The action: Spaceships, light saber fights, high speed chases, battlegrounds, this film has everything you want out of Star Wars.
The not-action: The key to space opera is OPERA. Much like a soap opera, a space opera handles the drama and reality of human life. Except, you know, in space.
3: No Country for Old Men
Synopsis: A Vietnam veteran discovers two million dollars at the scene of a drug deal gone wrong. He seizes the money and runs. But a killer is on his tail shortly after and the vet finds himself having a hard time evading the killer. Meanwhile, the sheriff on duty finds himself increasingly wrapped up in the violence enveloping his once-peaceful town and gets involved to bring it to an end.
The action: Although the film is set at a slow pace, the action is pretty much neverending. It’s a chase, but a steady chase.
The not-action: The film explores deep biblical themes and psychological theories, much like the novel it was based on.
4: Avatar
Synopsis: With advances being made in technology and infiltration mechanisms, the marines have an opportunity to reach new worlds in new ways. A paraplegic marine is able to be dispatched and enjoy an experience akin to having his own body back on this mission. But then he is forced to choose between the world he belongs in and the world he wants to stay in.
The action: Mecha, battles, constant movement and crazy scenes.
The not-action: Avatar is a touching film which addresses what it means to be human and what it means to belong, as well as delivers a vital message about protecting the world we live in.
5: Octopussy
Synopsis: When a fellow agent appears dead at the British embassy, 007 is sent on a mission to investigate. The crime appears to be related to a ring that distributes fake Soviet treasures whilst hoarding the originals. Teaming up with Octopussy, the leader of a cult, 007 tracks down and attempts to capture the perpetrators.
The action: Again, the action is pretty much nonstop, as every James Bond film is.
The not-action: On the other hand, the action is bizarre, over the top, all round crazy. The ridiculous fight scenes and amazing costumes and sets make it far more entertaining than some duller Bond films.
6: Hobo with a Shotgun
Synopsis: A homeless man stumbles into a rundown city in a dystopian world where gang lords rule over everyone else. Seeing how the poor are used as toys by rich playboys, the homeless man takes matters into his own hands. He buys a shotgun and becomes a vigilante, rescuing the city over a few days.
The action: This is packed with action and, I’ll be honest, some pretty cringey gore.
The not-action: The film is a deep and emotional story of people going out of their way to defeat tyranny and help each other.