8 Most Amazing Action Movies Ever Made, Ranked
A Cop Against the Odds
In Police Story, Hong Kong cop Chan Ka-kui, played by Jackie Chan, helps arrest crime boss Chu Tao. When the case begins to collapse, Chan is framed for murder and must clear his name while protecting Selina, a witness played by Brigitte Lin.
Chan and Chi-Hwa Chen directed the film. Its shopping-mall finale sends Chan through glass, railings and escalators, including a pole slide covered in decorative lights. Chan Ka-kui is battered and often barely stays on his feet, making the stunts part of the character’s comedy and desperation.
A Wider, Brutal Fight
In The Raid 2, Rama, played by Iko Uwais, goes undercover in prison and infiltrates a criminal family through Uco, played by Arifin Putra. The story expands beyond one building into gang politics, police corruption and a city on edge.
Writer-director Gareth Evans gives the film distinct fights, from the prison yard to a car chase that includes hand-to-hand combat. Hammer Girl, played by Julie Estelle, and Baseball Bat Man, played by Very Tri Yulisman, stand out. In the kitchen, Rama faces the Assassin, played by Cecep Arif Rahman, in a close fight where every move matters.
Ripley Chooses to Protect
Aliens returns Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, to the xenomorph threat after contact is lost with the colony on LV-426. She joins Colonial Marines and finds an overrun settlement, a traumatized child named Newt, played by Carrie Henn, and a larger danger than before.
Director James Cameron takes Ripley beyond mere survival: she is protecting someone. She straps Newt to herself and returns to the nest with a flamethrower. Later, a Power Loader becomes a mother’s last line of defense.
Ethan Hunt Runs Toward Danger
Mission: Impossible – Fallout begins when Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, saves Luther, played by Ving Rhames, instead of securing stolen plutonium. The decision leads Ethan through Paris, London and Kashmir, amid betrayals and the watchful presence of August Walker, played by Henry Cavill.
Director Christopher McQuarrie connects the stunts to Ethan’s refusal to abandon people. A bathroom fight, a HALO jump, a rooftop sprint and a helicopter chase all follow that instinct. Ethan is always running toward someone.
Key points
- Police Story turns Chan Ka-kui’s vulnerability into comedy, desperation and character.
- The Raid 2 expands its fights into a story of gangs, corruption and survival.
- Aliens makes Ripley’s courage a choice to protect Newt.
- Fallout ties its stunts to Ethan Hunt’s loyalty to others.