What are the top ten action movies of all time? You asked the question and I have the answer. So without further ado, here are the top ten action movies of all time.
10. Transformers
I was elated when my favorite 1980s toys hit the big screen! The introduction with the Decepticons dominating the U.S. military in Qatar was epic! The city battle at the end of the movie provided a somewhat satisfying conclusion, even though I thought the Decepticons should have put up a better fight. Gigantic robots blasting each other and transforming into sweet vehicles equals a huge box office and a great action movie.
9. Pirates of the Caribbean
Johnny Depp single handedly made this movie the surprise hit of the summer. At first, I doubted that a movie based on a Disney attraction could be entertaining, but Depp and Orlando Bloom proved me wrong. The action scenes, the music and Depp’s unforgettable swagger as Captain Jack Sparrow all combined to make this a surprise hit and a wonderful action film.
8. National Treasure
I love this movie. I mean, I really love this movie. Whenever I am channel surfing and I come across National Treasure, I stop and watch the movie for a few minutes even though I have watched it, in whole or in part, dozens of times. Nicholas Cage is awesome as an adventurous historian who ultimately steals the Declaration of Independence in order to keep it safe from thieves.
7. X2
X2 makes this list based partially on the fact that the first five minutes are incredibly awesome. We are introduced to Nightcrawler, who totally owns the entire U.S. Secret Service as he teleports through the White House, seemingly on a mission to assassinate the President. Magento’s escape scene from a seemingly inescapable prison also helps solidify this movie as an awesome action flick.
6. Batman Begins
This movie gave Batman the movie credibility he so desperately deserved. The Chris Nolan flick reintroduced audiences to the Dark Knight, actually focusing on the hero for once instead of the villain. Christian Bale was wonderfully intense at Bruce Wayne, and the Scarecrow, one of my all-time favorite Bat-Villains adds a delightfully wicked touch.
5. Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man had some very clever and engaging action sequences between our favorite wall-crawler and the multi-armed Doctor Octopus. The train fight scene was probably the highlight of the movie, including the part where the riders tried to protect Spidey from the villain, with refreshingly pitiful success.
4. Iron-Man
This movie was the surprise hit of the summer of 2009. Robert Downey Jr. was virtually perfect as genius inventor Tony Stark. He really managed to bring Stark’s comic book swagger to the big screen to the extent you could imagine the expression on his face as he blew up the bad guys while wearing the famous red and gold armor.
3. The Dark Knight
The only reason this movie is not higher on the list is because the film was heavier on dialogue than it was on action. Still, this was a near perfect movie with so many great scenes between Batman and the Joker, played by Heath Ledger. This is possibly the most mature and patient action movie ever originating from a comic book character.
2. Braveheart
Words barely do this epic justice. Mel Gibson created a feast for the eyes with this sprawling epic about the Scottish fight for independence in the 1300s. The action scenes are brutal and compelling, never seeming too slick or fake. All the major characters are perfectly cast. After watching the movie, you will emotionally drained.
1. 300
Gerald Butler is the most awesome man in history as he and his fellow Spartans fight off a horde of Persian troops for 2 hours. This movie is action packed from start to finish, with little plot of which to speak. That weakness is forgettable because the action is so brilliantly lifted from the pages of the graphic novel.
