Recommended: Welterweights, Tier 1
Submitted by jim on Thu, 05/24/2001 - 12:23
Tags:
- The Abyss (1989) ...
- Aliens (1986) ...
- The Bourne Identity (2002) ... THIS is the car chase I was expecting from Ronin! Why did that car chase get all the hype and this none of it? Good stuff. I've come to realize that Matt Damon is my anti-onion ring (scroll down to the State & Main review). I never expect anything of him, but I always enjoy him, and Franka Potente pairs with him nicely. I hope she has a good career; she's been good in all three movies I've seen her in. I don't really understand why good action movies are such rare birds, but they are, and it makes me all the more grateful for them when they come along. Two favorite moments: [1] the look on Matt Damon's face when he grabs the nightstick - it's just a flicker, but you can see the moment when he realizes he somehow knows what to do. [2] Franka Potente's solution to the bank problem.
- The Four Musketeers (1974) ... While quite a bit darker than The Three Musketeers, I think I might slightly favor this movie, making it one of the few sequels that is better than the original (or at least less campy, in this case). Of course, they shot it all as one movie and then split it, so I'm not entirely sure it counts. The cast is uniformly terrific, even Charton Heston (I'm obviously not a fan of his, but I think Richelieu may be his best role). I must again plug the The Complete Musketeers on DVD. Fabulous restored widescreen presentation, fascinating "making of" special.
- Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) ... Allow me to cast aside any ambivalence I've expressed towards Uma Thurman's acting in the past: she was fantastic, standing out in this flashy, red-splashed movie that would normally completely obscure any attempt at acting. But heck, everybody was good, and the movie is a wild ride mish-mash of Tarantino's obsessions, many of which I happen to enjoy too (although on a MUCH more casual basis). Given all the action, I was surprised it managed to also be a fairly intelligent and insightful revenge flick, as Tarantino does a good job (I assume intentionally) deflating the normal vicarious cheerleading the audience might feel for the avenger (via Vivica Fox's daughter, or Lucy Liu's wonderful anime backstory). My only gripes would be a couple giggle-inducing moments that I don't think were intentional, and the overuse of the word "bitch" in the first 15 minutes. But who could not fall for a universe where airlines let you (and other passengers!) bring a samurai sword as a carry-on? Well hell, now I'm going to have to rewatch Jackie Brown to see if it's really as underrated as some say...
- The Matrix (1999) ... Of the modern, mainsteam wire-fu movies, this is the only one where the flights of fancy are seamless. Not only do they have an explanation that fits with the plot, but they are edited such that the timing and arcs of the leaps and bounds never look awkward or staged. In fact, having rewatched this several times now, what really stands out for me is how engagingly and beautifully this movie is edited. The scenes are visually striking, but what really makes them flow is how well they are cut together. I thought The Matrix was merely "pretty good" on first viewing, but it continues to grow in my estimation with each rewatch. It could be well on it's way to becoming my favorite actioner.
- Men In Black (1997) ... Tommy Lee Jones is the perfect straight man, and it's roles like this that make me think Will Smith deserves to dominate July 4th at the box office. Oh, and Vincent D'Onofrio is fantastic as well. Oh, so's Linda Fiorentino! The f/x and script were both good, but it's the acting that really makes this one take off.
- Terminator (1984) ...
- Terminator 2 (1991) ...
- The Three Musketeers (1973) ... First of all, if you haven't seen this movie yet (or even if you have), you must see the DVD version. I had a hard time deciding where to list this: here with the action movies, or with the Lightweights (comedies). I had forgotten how funny this movie is! It runs the comedic gamut, from witty to slapsticky, but what I always take away from this movie is the no-holds-barred approach to swordfighting portrayed in this movie. No hand-on-hip dancerly parry-and-thrusting here; it's definitely brawling with swords, but it works so well, and seems so realistic (well, perhaps not counting that clothesline flip). The cast is terrific, never takes themselves too seriously, and does the source material credit. While Oliver Reed's Athos is one of my favorite portrayals/characters, I noticed Richard Chamberlain for the first time on my latest viewing. As my wife said, "you know, I've never really given Richard Chamberlain much credit for anything, but he's really terrific in this." I couldn't agree more.
- X2: X-Men United (2003) ... This may be the best superhero movie I've seen. The action is uniformly well-done, it's got a slam-bang opening that grabs your attention, the pacing is just right, and the plot, themes, and tension aren't too shabby either. The only sour notes are fairly minor: the actor that plays Scott/Cyclops is the weak link, although I should probably cut him more slack for acting through the visor, and some of the moments in the "tell my parents I'm a mutant" scene are ham-handed lead balloons. "Have you tried NOT being a mutant." I get it, but please. That said, in a movie I enjoyed almost-uniformly, I particularly liked Hugh Jackman, the tension between the three major factions in the movie, and pretty much all the action. It's going to be hard for me to choose a favorite action scene from this one.
Author Comments:
New entries are highlighted. If you're going to use these lists for recommendations, you really should read how they're organized.
The Matrix certainly is a keeper. In our present year with tons of wannabe blockbusters, this incredibly well done flick is the real thing - flashy, intelligent, and creative, with special effects that truly look special and are perfectly worked into the aesthetics (not to mention the plot) of the film. I suspect respect for this film will only grow over the years, especially if the sequels prove as good as the original.
I might mention where as I have been highly suspicious of most big budget films this summer, I actually have a ton of hope for Minority Report. Let's keep our fingers crossed...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
On Milla Jovovich: I think you had reservations about her because she's not very good. I point to The Messenger on this one. I think she's one of those people who can play decent support, but doesn't have the skills to be a leading figure.
Personally, I agree with all of your list except Fifth Element and Speed.
Thanks for the comments! I think you're right about my Milla reservations. What I meant (but didn't say, so how could you know?) was that I hadn't seen her in anything else, so my expectations were all based on vague memories of bad press (on examining her filmography, I guess I had seen her in Dazed and Confused, but I have no memory of her).
Generally having enjoyed Luc Besson's films, I kept thinking I'd rent The Messenger, but the deluge of comments like yours have kept me away. Sounds like that's a good thing. :-)
The funny thing about Fifth Element and Speed is that this list used to only have five movies on it and I got to wondering why action movies have a small handful of films that are clearly a cut above the rest (at least in my eyes) while the other genres are much more uniform with no real "gaps". Maybe it's just quantity smoothing the curve. Or maybe it's just that I'm not as discerning a viewer in the other genres (lets not think about what that says about me) Anyway, I promoted a few of what I thought were the better action films from Tier 2 to this list. Speed might get a demotion on a rewatch, as my tastes have changed a bit since I was 24.
Well, I'll certainly have to rent the Musketeers films. I've always loved both, but I confess, I haven't seen either in over a decade. Another for the Netflix queue!
Great review!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Thanks! I'd love to see reviews from you when you get around to re-watching them. I'm also curious: do you recall if the prints you saw over a decade ago had unwatchable night scenes? One specific example would be the nighttime fight in the woods between D'Artagnan and Rochefort where they each have a lantern in one hand and a sword in the other. They have to open their lanterns to see each other, but close them so as not to give away their positions. Prior to this DVD release, I really couldn't see what was going on, even with the TV brightness all the way up. If that's not your recollection then the DVD might not be as dramtic an improvement for you as it was for me (but still definitely worth re-watching!).
You know, the only prints I saw as a kid were downright horrible; the night scenes were, well, all dark night, the colors were incredibly drab, and even the spoken lines were less than sharp and tough to make out at times. I really don't think the new set can be much worse, and I bet they are worlds better!
I can't wait! These were favorites of mine as a youngun'!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
It sounds like we saw the same horrible prints as kids! Perhaps everyone did. That being the case, I predict you are going to be thrilled with the prints used on the new DVDs. :-)
Another Kill Bill fan!
Great comments; your notes about the balancing factors keeping this from being a simple, 'kill 'em all and enjoy it' affair are especially insightful.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Definitely another fan. :-) I liked it as I walked out of the theater, and I like it even more the further I get from it. I can't believe we have to wait months for Volume 2! I sure hope my big lingering question from the O-Ren anime sequence are answered then.
Oh, I really enjoyed your comments on the movie as well. I unfortunately read them first so I had to go out of my way not to seem like I was cribbing, such was the extent of my agreement with what you wrote (although you know you I don't think it's Tarantino's worst movie, but I reserve the right to change my mind :-).
He sure does use music well, doesn't he?
I've seen many complaints about the "interminable" Sonny Chiba sequence, but I liked it. What did you think of it?
Another X2 fan!
That first one really didn't clue us in as to how good this one is, eh? One of the nicer surprises this year...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Definitely another fan, and my wife liked it too. Although I have to confess, I liked the first one as well (although my reviews were far too terse at the time when I wrote it up). I agree the sequel was superior, but what didn't you like about the first one?
Wow, my memory must be shot. I could've sworn you weren't a fan of the first one...
I just thought the first one was simply so-so. Why they brought Toad to unconvincing life I'll never know, and I thought most of the relationships were rushed and breezed over (Wolverine and Rogue, Wolverine and Jean, etc). It felt (as is growing more typical nowadays) like a hurried exposition job setting the foundation for a franchise, and I didn't take too well to it.
Of course, I am a cranky man before my time... :)
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
See, I just have to let a little time go by and I can trick you into thinking I have good taste. Of course, I went and blew it by not only linking to a "recommended" list of mind with X-Men on it, but Spiderman to boot. :-)
I thought the Wolverine/Rogue relationship worked pretty well in the first one, but agree that the Wolverine/Jean relationship was unconvincing. Actually, I think it was fairly unconvincing in this one as well, and in fact that whole Logan/Jean/Scott triangle didn't really work for me in general, probably because the Jean/Scott relationship was even more unconvincing than the Jean/Logan relationship (although I did like the "nice guys/dangerous guys" discussion in the sequel, so there was that moment of actual chemistry at least that worked for me).
That said, while I remember liking the first one, I had to wrack my brain for 24 hours after seeing the sequel to recall the details of the first, and my wife still isn't convinced that she's seen it at all (she has :-). Having wracked successfully, I think the thing that worked for me in the first, aside from the action, was the Xavier/Magneto relationship. Actually, I think it's mostly because I thought Magneto was a very good, and surprisingly sympathetic villain of decent depth, even as he attempted a execute a master plan of truly comic-bookish proportions.
Anyway, considering the huge ensemble that had to be introduced, filming the first one without being too expository was quite possibly a doomed endeavor, but I think they did about as well as they could. Perhaps if they'd just come out and called it X-Men Volume 1 you would have liked it a bit better. :-)
I actually envy your crankiness. I simply like way too many movies. My "recommended" lists have a fair amount of bloat. So stay cranky, my friend!
The Magneto and Professor X dynamic was pretty intriguing. And I agree about Cyclops, although I suspect the script is largely at fault. It seems few writers can craft a nice guy character who escapes blandness.
You tell me to stay cranky as if I have some choice in the matter...
Now stay off my lawn! ;)
As always, I love reading your comments!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs