Jason Statham has starred in numerous high-octane action films, yet not all have received the acclaim they merit. Starting in the new millennium, Statham rose to fame with his breakout roles in “The Transporter” series and the “Crank” movies. Later, he became a pivotal figure in multiple ensemble action flicks such as the “Expendables” franchise and the “Fast and Furious” films, and battled giant sharks in the “Meg” series. Statham’s unique blend of exceptional martial arts abilities, distinct cockney accent, and tough-guy persona has kept him a captivating screen presence, comparable to any contemporary action hero.
Absolutely, it’s not uncommon for action stars’ work to be undervalued during their initial release, and this seems to have happened with Jason Statham as well. While many of his action films were instant successes, some gems went unnoticed initially but have been rediscovered later on. Here are three action movies by Jason Statham that didn’t get the recognition they deserved at first.
War (2007)
Jason Statham’s second collaboration with Jet Li following their sci-fi film “The One,” titled “War” (2007), delves into a grim exploration of vengeance and the criminal underworld. Following the murder of his partner Tom Lone (Terry Chen) and his family, FBI Agent John Crawford seeks retribution against the killer, a shadowy assassin known as Rogue (Jet Li). Directed by Phillip G. Atwell in his first feature film, “War” generated considerable anticipation prior to its release due to its promise of a confrontation between two prominent action stars. The poster even depicted Li and Statham in intense stares, with the slogan “One seeks justice. The other seeks revenge.” Regrettably, “War” failed to meet expectations in 2007, particularly with Li expressing dissatisfaction with the film. However, over time, “War” has remarkably maintained its relevance since its release in 2007.
In a blend of ’70s crime drama, revenge thriller, and Hong Kong-style action, the movie “War” immerses viewers into a heated conflict between the Triad and Yakuza in San Francisco. The story follows Crawford’s quest for vengeance against Rogue, who appears to be serving interests neither of these criminal empires. An unexpected twist similar to that of “The Sixth Sense” unfolds, drastically altering almost the entire film, even the characters of Lone and Rogue. The chemistry between Li and Statham as adversaries in “War” is just as captivating as their team-ups in “The One” and “The Expendables” franchise. Furthermore, the movie delivers an abundance of the high-octane stunts and martial arts action that both stars are known for. With such a compelling narrative, it’s hard to argue that any other action film in Jason Statham’s career is as underrated as “War.
Death Race (2008)
Back in 2008, Paul W.S. Anderson, known for directing Mortal Kombat, gave a fresh spin to Roger Corman’s 1975 B-movie gem, Death Race 2000. And let me tell you, it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to showcasing the raw talent of Jason Statham!
Set in a bleak future on our very own planet, Death Race unfolds with me, Jason Statham as Jensen Ames – an ordinary steel mill worker falsely accused of murdering my wife. The twist? I get offered a chance at freedom by participating in the bloodthirsty, televised car races of Terminal Island Prison.
The reigning champion, the enigmatic masked racer known as “Frankenstein”, was taken down some time ago. My mission is to step into Frankenstein’s shoes and boost the ratings for the races, under the watchful eye of the cunning prison warden Hennessey, played by Joan Allen. But, as you can imagine, breaking free from Hennessey’s clutches won’t be a walk in the park.
In the film “Death Race“, Paul W.S. Anderson and Jason Statham deliver top-notch performances. Anderson, with a knack for video games, transforms the original Corman classic into a high-octane heavy metal version. Meanwhile, Statham lends his gritty cockney style to portray Jensen, a character marked by toughness and resilience. The action sequences in “Death Race” are reminiscent of post-apocalyptic versions of the Fast and Furious series, even featuring Tyrese Gibson as Machine Gun Joe. However, it’s important to note that neither Statham nor Jensen can match Hennessy in terms of foul language, with the warden dropping a massive F-bomb in “Death Race‘s third act. Despite not having Statham or Anderson in subsequent direct-to-video sequels, “Death Race” remains an underrated action movie by Statham that’s worth revisiting due to its intense car stunts and action scenes.
Homefront (2013)
Jason Statham’s collaborations with Sylvester Stallone haven’t only been within the The Expendables series. In fact, Stallone penned two films centered around Statham, starting with 2013’s Homefront, the other being David Ayer’s 2025 action film titled A Working Man. In Homefront, Jason Statham portrays Phil Broker, a former DEA agent trying to live peacefully in a serene Louisiana town and raise his daughter Maddy (Izabela Vidovic). However, his attempts at maintaining a low profile are disrupted when Maddy defends herself against a school bully, which in turn angers the bully’s parents. This leads to Cassie (Kate Bosworth), Maddy’s mother, seeking help from her drug dealer brother Gator (James Franco). As the story unfolds, Gator develops a grudge against Phil when he learns about his role in the imprisonment of Gator’s former business partner.
The movie “Homefront” is one of Jason Statham’s less action-packed films, where his character Phil deviates from the usual Statham hero as he tends to avoid conflict and prefers the path of least resistance. However, when circumstances force him into action, Phil proves himself capable of great violence. Interestingly, Statham’s performance in this film is subdued, making Phil seem more peaceful compared to other violent town residents. Despite keeping the action somewhat low-key, “Homefront” delivers on its promise of Statham action when necessary. This movie stands out among Statham’s action films because it shows a protagonist who longs for peace but must eventually abandon his nice guy persona. Fans of Jason Statham might want to watch this film again for this unique twist, as well as the satisfying moment when Phil decides he’s had enough and unleashes his inner fighter.
Jason Statham’s next action movie, A Working Man, will be released in theaters on March 28th, 2025.
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2025-03-14 19:42