As a seasoned movie enthusiast with over two decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that the fight scenes you’ve listed are nothing short of spectacular! Each one showcases a unique blend of action, drama, and character development that leaves an indelible mark on the viewer.
In other words, an action movie without action scenes would be like a cake without sugar – it just wouldn’t taste right! Whether they are cult classics with less-than-stellar fight choreography or undisputed masterpieces, every notable action film boasts at least one standout fight sequence. What I’m about to share is the crème de la crème, the very best of the best.
When it comes to epic cinematic fights featuring multiple characters, these are the standouts. These scenes involve two or more characters engaged in physical conflict due to unresolved tension or past events. The stakes are high, often resulting in noticeable injuries such as a cauliflower ear or a swollen eye that won’t close.
Additionally, scenes involving only physical combat devoid of weapons were our focus. This ranges from thrilling lightsaber duels in the Star Wars series to action-packed fights in the John Wick films. However, not every fight scene was excluded; we’re specifically interested in sequences where the action is strictly hand-to-hand, featuring fists and kicks.
Dux vs. Li at the Kumite in Bloodsport
In the movie “Bloodsport,” which catapulted Jean-Claude Van Damme to stardom, Bolo Yeung’s character Chong Li serves as the primary antagonist. Some might even argue that he matches Van Damme’s character, Frank Dux, in terms of captivating presence. A relentless and brutal fighter, Li is just as determined to win as Dux. In the Kumite tournament, he stands as Dux’s most formidable adversary. By the start of the third act, not only has he put Dux’s friend in the hospital, but he’s also killed his semifinal opponent.
In order to maintain his victory series, Li resorts to deceit by grinding a salt tablet and flinging it at Dux’s face. However, despite having an impaired opponent, Li still ends up losing. This is because he wasn’t the one who had been taught to fight with a blindfold on.
“Now You’ve Had Enough” in Happy Gilmore
Among the entries on this list, only one – the character played by Bob Barker in ‘Happy Gilmore’ – is exclusively intended for humor. When it comes to jokes in the iconic ’90s comedy, this one ranks high, if not at the very pinnacle. It’s worth noting that Bob Barker, the late and beloved host of ‘The Price Is Right’, was just as famous for his time on the show as he was for his friendly demeanor.
Speaking as a movie critic, I must say that Bob Barker, playing himself in “Happy Gilmore,” has an uncanny knack for knowing when to call it quits. And believe me, he truly grasps this concept. His confrontation with Happy Gilmore clocks in at over 70 seconds, making it one of the longest fights in any comedy movie I’ve ever seen.
“Stick Around, Bennett” in Commando
Initially, the conflict in the 1980s action movie classic Commando revolves around weapons, with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character Colonel John Matrix mainly employing guns and even a bazooka at one point. However, as soon as Vernon Wells’ Captain Bennett makes his appearance, it becomes clear that their confrontation will eventually turn into a hand-to-hand combat situation.
In a constant display of arrogance, Bennett often needles Matrix, but viewers understand that his hubris will lead to retribution. During their intense showdown in the third act, Matrix flips the script on Bennett, egging him on with the intriguing idea of wounding him with a blade rather than a swift bullet. Soon enough, the blades are discarded as they both tumble from a balcony, and it turns into a frenzy of punches and kicks. However, Matrix eventually hurls a pipe at Bennett and quips, “You’ll stick around, Bennett.
[Related: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Reacher‘s Alan Ritchson Team Up for New Christmas Movie]
Former Friends in Captain America: Civil War
The entire film “Captain America: Civil War” is a skillful construction of tension that eventually erupts. When Tony Stark learns that Captain America’s friend, the Winter Soldier, was responsible for his parents’ death, the situation escalates significantly, much like water boiling on a stove. Notably, due to Tony Stark’s technological advantages, this conflict isn’t merely about physical blows, but it represents one of the most emotionally intense battles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In this particular scene, both Stark and Steve Rogers each hold strong intentions that are clearly shown. While Stark seeks revenge, Captain America stands to prevent him from doing so. This emotional conflict leaves the audience empathizing deeply with Captain America, who appears to be compromising one friendship for the sake of saving another’s life. The viewers can understand Stark’s anger and grasp the potential impact this confrontation will have on the upcoming films.
Take Your Pick in Fight Club
In line with its title, David Fincher’s movie “Fight Club” is filled with intense, bone-jarring confrontations, all of which could be highlighted. One noteworthy example is the initial fight between the Narrator (played by Edward Norton) and Tyler Durden (portrayed by Brad Pitt), which takes place in a parking lot adjacent to a local bar. This encounter stands out for the same reason other fights do: its raw brutality.
The fights in this aren’t overly dramatic or flashy like those in Bloodsport. Instead, they seem authentic, devoid of any unnecessary cinematic embellishments. Even the most violent fight, between the Narrator and Jared Leto’s character, Angel Face, appears genuinely realistic. By the end of that fight, Angel Face’s face is predominantly blackened, bruised, and badly beaten, resembling a mangled mess.
Training Time in The Matrix
In the Matrix series created by the Wachowskis, the action sequences became increasingly complex and dramatic compared to Neo’s training scenes in the initial film. This is one reason why many people consider the quadrilogy as superior. The scene where CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) Neo fights hundreds of CGI Agent Smiths in “The Matrix Reloaded” was quite impressive when it came out in 2003, but unfortunately, it has not aged well. The final battle between Neo and Smith in “The Matrix Revolutions,” while spectacular at the time of release, wasn’t especially enjoyable for many viewers.
Morpheus and Neo engage in training exercises within virtual environments, maintaining an aura of power and mystery. The viewers find themselves side by side with Neo as he uncovers truths about both the world and himself. It becomes clear that the world isn’t what he believed, and neither is he – he possesses talents that have yet to reach their peak.
The Alleyway Brawl in They Live
John Carpenter’s film “They Live” stands out significantly in his later works, offering a unique blend of sharpness, humor, and suspense. It maintains its charm from start to finish, but two scenes have particularly solidified its impact on popular culture. One is the memorable moment when Roddy Piper, portraying the protagonist, storms into a bank with a shotgun and declares, “I’m here to chew bubblegum and kick ass… I’m all out of bubblegum.” The other is the intense fight scene between Piper’s character, Nada, and Keith David’s Frank, which takes place in an alleyway.>
The length of the sequence spans an enormous 5.5 minutes, making each second seem prolonged for the viewer. It’s not only meant to be humorous but also serves as a truly remarkable, intense battle (enhanced significantly by Piper’s background as a WWF and WCW wrestler). The scene has been imitated frequently, including on South Park, which is entirely fitting given its status as arguably the greatest fight scene ever filmed.
The Library Fight in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
Similar to the rest of the John Wick series, Chapter 3 – Parabellum predominantly revolves around the concept of “Gun Fu.” However, at the start of the movie, following the announcement about the large bounty on John Wick’s head, there’s a physical fight in a library. This initial skirmish involves John Wick and another assassin named Ernest, portrayed by Serbian professional basketball player Boban Marjanović.
In this scenario, John Wick isn’t triumphing through conventional means like weapons; instead, he’s victorious with an unlikely tool – a book. He inflicts damage on Ernest by using the book to shatter his jaw, and subsequently employs it as a makeshift weapon to help subdue his adversary. This is reminiscent of a violent scene in the same movie, where the knife shop unfolds.
Ip vs. 10 Karateka in Ip Man
The movie Ip Man, which tells the tale of the renowned Chinese Wing Chun grandmaster who taught Bruce Lee, features numerous striking fights, but one battle surpasses all others. As the Second Sino-Japanese War commences in the film, Ip (portrayed by Donnie Yen from John Wick: Chapter 4) along with his wife and son are forced to leave their luxurious residence and settle into an apartment. Their former home is now serving as a military headquarters for the Imperial Japanese Army, commanded in Foshan city (not overall) by General Miura, a skilled Karate master.
Master Miura sets up a fighting ground where local martial artists battle his students, promising a bag of rice to the winner. However, when Master IP’s rival, Liu, was executed for taking the rice after losing two fights, Master IP decides to intervene. He does this dramatically by asking to fight against ten karate practitioners at once. Master IP wins and gives the bag of rice to Liu’s mourning family. The fight scene is skillfully filmed, but it stands out due to Master IP’s selflessness. It’s as much a scene that highlights his character traits as it is an exciting action sequence.
Facing Off with Mr. Joshua in Lethal Weapon
In Richard Donner’s classic film Lethal Weapon, there are numerous gunfights that catch the eye, but it’s the raw hand-to-hand combat that leaves the deepest impression after the credits finish rolling. As the story unfolds, General Peter McAllister’s trusted lieutenant, Mr. Joshua (played by Gary Busey), gradually reveals himself as the real villain of the piece. He is a cold-blooded, ruthless mercenary and killer, a formidable adversary indeed.
Once McAllister is dead, it’s but so long before Mr. Joshua seeks revenge against Mel Gibson’s Martin Riggs and Danny Glover’s Roger Murtaugh. It’s become personal, and Mr. Joshua personally shows up at the Murtaugh house like a bloodthirsty Christmas present. To protect the Murtaugh family and put an end to all the madness, Riggs steps up, beats Mr. Joshua (nearly losing his life in the process), and even has a moment of growth when he allows the police to capture the mercenary instead of executing him. Yet, that doesn’t last long, as Mr. Joshua breaks free from the authorities and gets gunned down by the newly partnered duo.
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2024-11-15 01:40