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Top 10 Best Action Films of the ’90s

By Jameson Brown · November 19, 2013

The 90’s. A time of flannel, grunge rock, long hair and some of the best action flicks we still cheer for today. Between asteroid explosions, green smoke and alien death ships, this time period produced a new era of blockbuster action that was diverse and, surprisingly, well acted.  

10. Armageddon (1998)

Whenever you have a chance to watch Bruce Willis save the earth from complete destruction by a giant asteroid that surely will kill off all life, as we know it, you better take it. Michael Bay might be considered the go-to action director of the 90’s and there’s good reason; the man knows how to make an explosion emotional and epic. Now, nearly every critic out there will take hard jabs at Bay’s hyper, quick-cut editing style and over elaborate camera angles, but with Armageddon he focuses on peril being a result of the action. Yes, the plot is absurd and the script is beyond shaky, but the acting from Willis and Patton give the film the right mixture of campy sentimentality and action it needs to be a solid entry into the best action films of the 90’s list.

9. Speed (1994)

Jan De Bont (later on to have a hit/miss career with Twister and Speed 2: Cruise Control) made a hell of a directional debut with Speed. What made this movie worth it’s salt were the strong performances from both Hopper and Bullock combined with an action script that’s structure was methodically put together and very briskly paced. I mean, a film cannot be titled Speed and not be an adrenaline pumper. Along with these strong characteristics, the film takes multiple left and right turns, literally, in its third act – Graham Yost said “no” to ending the suspense with the bus finally coming to “a stop.” This third act extension also gave us more time with Hopper and how can we not want that, right? Hopper does not turn in an Oscar performance, but what he does deliver is more of himself, that being a consistently upbeat actor who never takes a breath. And for Speed, that’s just what we need.   

8. Face/Off (1997)

Cue the doves! John Woo’s Face/Off surprisingly features two good lead performances, but one especially by Nicholas Cage as, wait for it, Castor Troy. And just as a side note, that might be one of the best antagonist names of all time – has a psychotic ring to it. John Woo does a great job with his editing specifically and cutting back and forth between both sides of the story, even when Archer and Troy switch places. Woo gives us a storyline that enables us to feel as if we were “living in their skin,” if you will. Along with strong editing, the bottom line is John Woo just knows how to make an action movie go boom, while still keeping his character development (semi) in-line.

7. Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)

With a return to his series, John McTiernan pulls a rabbit out of his hat with DHWAV. Why? Well, the original was such a staple in clean action filmmaking that it was hard to follow up with something as explosive, yet thematically filling. Die Hard 2 was not a bad film, but it lacked the secret sauce the original had. With DHWAV, McTiernan was obviously the juice, and boy did he bring it back. The storyline was strong, especially with the strong scripting point of Hans and Simon Gruber being tied together. But one piece that was different from the first two, which worked very well, was that McClane was not isolated to one location (ie. Nakatomi and the airport). He was allowed to roam free which automatically upped the ante with the action sequences and the cat-and-mouse storyline. Well done, McTiernan.

6. Point Break (1991)

Now, how many times have we quoted this movie? How many times have we watched Keanu Reeves fire that pistol into the air? It never gets old. Point Break nails the first and most important goal action films should strive for: be re-watchable. A solid action film should have a strong enough story to bolster, and give justice to, the explosions, car chases and gunfights that are happening on screen. Point Break does this, and not only does it do it well, but Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty) blends the perfect amount of campiness, storyline and action to make a hella mix of awesomeness (yes, I am giving verbal homage to Mr. Bodhi himself). And let’s not forget that this storyline is semi-unique, and fits perfectly into the 90’s era – it’s a great reflection of surf culture and being brought into that mix of life.

5. Independence Day (1996)

Coming in halfway through the list are those three letters and numbers us 90’s kids could not get enough of: ID4. This was “that film.” It was the epic blockbuster that scored on all levels, gave Will Smith a career and made more money than you can even count. It did all of this, though, because it worked. People came to this film to see one thing: humans battling aliens to save mankind. And boy did we get it. There’s not too much to dissect in this movie other than it delivered everything it promised and Randy Quaid will forever be my hero.

4. ConAir (1997)

One of my all time favorite action films, ConAir might be the most fast-paced movie ever to be made. Its script NEVER slows down and throws you the middle finger as it passes you by. From its insanely, unintentional, campy performance from Nicholas Cage and terrifying character development of Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom, this film takes off, spins you around and only lands to give you occasional breathers. The plot? Not there at all. But, with a film like this, we already know that…and we don’t care! Somewhat diffusing its absurdity, though, is a solid performance from John Malkovich as Cyrus Grissom. Malkovich channels his inner, well, Malkovich and turns into a crazed psychopath that apologizes for nothing whatsoever. Put this character on a runaway plane filled with convicts and an ex-marine fighting to simply see his daughter and you have one hell of a flick. Grab that popcorn! Dare I say “it’s going to be a bumpy ride?”

3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

We are now entering the top three zone, which means things are moving to the next level. There is no better way to kick this off other than with T2: Judgment Day. One of the best sequels ever to be made, alongside Aliens and The Godfather: Part II, T2: Judgment Day packs much more consistent action than the original. Now, I’m not saying the original is bad – it, of course, is not. Cameron’s second installment furthers The Terminator story and gives it much more depth. It punts the first film much farther down the field by giving it backbone and context. Other than the unevenly inserted voiceover, this second installment perfectly blends sci-fi action with hard-hitting story and thematic elements. And, as icing on the cake, it develops its lead character much more and enables the audience to relate to him and even feel sympathy for him. Bravo, Mr. Cameron.

2. True Romance (1993)

Where to start with the beloved True Romance? As one of Tarantino’s first scripts he sold, True Romance is THE best homage film still to date. It’s Badlands and Bonnie and Clyde nods are done with gory grace and dark humor that makes us turn in our seats. This is what happens when the perfect director meets the perfect script. This movie would not have succeeded if Tarantino directed – it needed a strong action purist, and who better than Tony Scott to fill that seat. With a mixture of well edited Tarantino dialogue and character creation, Scott brings to life the neon-lit life of Clarence and Alabama Worely beautifully, while still giving orchestral nods to the classics that make up the backbone of this film (that would be the “You’re So Cool” theme Hans Zimmer created based on Carl Orff’s Badlands theme).

https://youtube.com/watch?v=nbXV_204RrQ

1. The Rock (1996)

Finally, the number one spot has been reach and Michael Bay’s The Rock easily takes this spot. The Rock brings back Mr. Bond himself and puts him against a morally conflicted Ed Harris who just cannot let injustice go unpunished. This movie succeeds due to its intriguing plot; unforgiving performance from Ed Harris and a final sequence that is, within itself, its own action film. Accompanying these aspects is a well-shot car chase, highly unique fights scenes (and deaths) and a very satisfying ending. Without further adieu, I give you “Green Smoke.”