Ready, set, ACTION! This decade we had several franchises that really stood out, but also some stand-alone films that really impressed us action enthusiasts. Here are my favorite action movies of the decade!
Inception (2010)
“Inception” is a blockbuster, but not you typical no-brainer. It’s really required to stay focused the entire time, because else you’re lost. You really have to watch this movie more than once. “Inception is a movie that made me gasp for air the first time I saw it.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” is a fantastic, thriller action flick, even better than number three in the series. And well done to director Brad Bird, who up until this film, mostly did animations.
Avengers (2012)
Because the irresponsible brother of the Nordic god Thor causes problems in contemporary New York, and doesn't hesitate to seek malicious help from other dimensions, the leader of a mysterious ultra-secret government department asks a number of superheroes for help. But first he'll have to massage away rivalry between the hoodlums. Spectacular and amusing superhero film.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Director Christopher Nolan skillfully colors withing the fences of the popcorn genre, in his film full of magnificent action scenes. It never gets that deep or ambivalent in “The Dark Knight Rises”, but it’s a fantastic film within the trilogy.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
This is Marvel in its most lightest form. In the far corner of the universe where the Guardians operate the well-known superhero violence is always accompanied by a fat wink and a nice soundtrack. That works excellent. It’s actually my favorite Marvel film so far.
John Wick (2014)
Old-fashioned revenge film in which former assassin John Wick goes to war when a bunch of Russian gangsters steal his car and kill his dog. Just after he buried his wife. Stylishly choreographed action scenes are alternated with the necessary cynical humor. But what remains above all is the dreamed New York in which the film takes place: a universe like that of a graphic novel, with a hotel at the center where the entire clientele consists of professional criminals.
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Humorous love letter to the classic spy film, starring Colin Firth as a respectable secret agent who takes a young street urchin under his wing. Together they take on super villain Valentine, an internet billionaire. Unsuitable for delicate souls, but highly entertaining.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
I was skeptical before I saw this. But I’m glad I was wrong, because “Edge of Tomorrow” is the Tom Cruise movie I have been waiting for. The script feels fresh, it has great action and is also surprisingly humoristic.
Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014)
The superhero films of comic book publisher/film studio Marvel are all set within the same universe; some prior knowledge is therefore useful, although fortunately most stories can also be followed by the uninitiated. This certainly applies to this second film about Captain America - a soldier who was provided with superpower by the American government in WW II, then frozen and thawed again in the present. One of the better Marvel productions, not so much because of the spectacular action, but mainly because in between the explosions the film turns out to be an old-fashioned exciting spy thriller.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
“Mad Max: Fury Road” is film in its purest form. Pure porn for every action movie fan. It’s crazy, action packed and adrenaline rush, spectacular and f***ing awesome. I simply can’t fault it.
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
How many actors over 50 do their own stunts? And how many of them will climb tall buildings or hang on an airplane during takeoff? Well, nobody but Tom Cruise. That alone is reason enough for you to see “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”, which is the fifth installment of the franchise. And new face Rebecca Ferguson is a great addition to the series, on her own but also in combination with Cruise.
John Wick 2 (2017)
A few days after the events in the first John Wick film, the title character wants to take it easy, but is then forced to travel to Rome, to commit an assassination attempt on a front runner of the Mafia. After which all hell breaks loose. Just like in the first film, the violence is exuberant and baroque, tightly choreographed, with classical architecture in the background, beautifully lit catacombs and other photographic gems. Just a bit fatter than in the first part. It’s the best one in the series.
Atomic Blonde (2017)
Modern spy thriller about a British MI6 agent sent to Berlin in 1989, just before the fall of the Wall, to get a secret list and unmask a double agent. "Atomic Blonde" combines the best of the Bond and Bourne films, with the important difference that secret agent Broughton, Lorraine Broughton, is a woman. The many fights are no less dirty and bloody. The platinum blonde Broughton is played with verve by Charlize Theron. And the film has a killer soundtrack.
Baby Driver (2017)
Baby is the name of a young driver of getaway cars. When Baby falls in love with waitress Debora he wants to stop his criminal activities. But he is so good that his boss doesn't just let him go. No less than thirty rock songs prop director Edgar Wright in the soundtrack of this wonderfully romantic action film.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is more than just an action packed spectacle. The story is strong and so are the characters. Twists, turns and surprises, all present like any spy themed film should have. I think it’s the best film in this series.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
The third film, in the by critic’s remarkably well-received series, means even more life and death battles for assassin John Wick. So even more stabbing, fist fightfighting and gunfighting. You’d think that would be boring, but director and former stuntman Chad Stahelski keeps pace high, the battles original and provides occasional dry comedy for relief. And the already fifty year old Keanu Reeves continues to convince as the constantly hunted but indestructible John Wick.
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