Top 20 Action /

(September 30, 2005)

Action and adventure films are not new to Hollywood, and are not restricted to the large scale "explosive" productions we see every summer. Some great adventure films have come out since the very beginnings of cinema, such as The Thief of Baghdad, The Adventures of Robin Hood, etc. True, with the advent of bigger, slicker productions, audiences have been clamoring for bigger, faster, more thrilling escapades. Unfortunately for us, Hollywood seems to have misunderstood the very precepts of good film-making: if you don't care for the characters, if the plot is nonsensical, then no matter the budget, the special effects, or the stars, the movie will still be a dud (good examples of this are Waterworld, Godzilla, etc.).

Thankfully, some good action / adventure films are being made (The Matrix comes to mind), and Hong Kong cinema is slowly becoming a real alternative to Hollywood actioners. I've decided not to include HK films in this list, as half the list would easily be taken over by them!

The Top 20 Action/Adventure Films:

Abyss, The (1989)
Aliens (1986)
Die Hard (1988)
Face/Off (1997)
From Russia With Love (1963)
Goldfinger (1964)
Hero (2002)
Jurassic Park (1993)
Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
Matrix, The (1999)
La Femme Nikita (France - 1991)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Road Warrior, The (1981)
Ronin (1998)
Speed (1994)
The Terminator (1984)
Terminator 2 (1991)
X2: X-Men United (2003)

Other Action/Adventure Films worthy of note:

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
Batman Forever (1995)
Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
Ben-Hur (1959)
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Gladiator (2000)
The Guns of Navarone (1961)
The Horseman on the Roof (1995)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

For more great action flicks, check out the Top 20 Hong Kong Films!

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