Action Movies Don’t Have to Suck
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!["At [one] time T2 seemed bombastic and excessive; now its emphasis
on characters and storytelling impact seems quaint."](https://media1.riverfronttimes.com/riverfronttimes/imager/action-movies-dont-have-to-suck/u/zoom/2443185/8112781.0.png?cb=1648309464)
"At [one] time T2 seemed bombastic and excessive; now its emphasis
on characters and storytelling impact seems quaint."
"More recently the popularity of the
Bourne sequels directed by Paul Greengrass unleashed the menace of
the 'shakycam' – chases and fights shot messily on deliberately wobbly handheld
cameras to give the impression of documentary realism – even though real footage shot by war journalists is often less messy."
"Movies like
Salt,
Taken,
Quantum of Solace,
Gamer,
The Grey, and
Warrior have the kinds of plots that used to be written to string together fights and chases, but the action is so muddled and incoherent it might as well be left out."
might as well be left out."
"Even the attempted genre-revival
The Expendables is disappointingly Post-
Action."
"Steven Soderbergh’s
Haywire showcases some of the most exhilarating fights of recent years by combining the “realistic” MMA-inspired fighting preferred by Post-Action directors with the long takes and unobstructed shots they fear."
"Nicolas Winding Refn’s
Drive, despite being sued by that lady for not being enough like
Fast Five, punctuates its slow burn story with superb car chases."
"
Fast Five, come to think of it, also has great action and stunts, but good ol’ R-rated blood would’ve really helped its Diesel-vs.-Rock fist fight."
"Hyams' 2009 Universal Soldier: Regeneration is a more thrilling action experience than 95% of what studios have
released in theaters in several years."
