Tag Archives: male character

In the 80’s, action adventures ruled the box office. Big budgets,  bigger heroes, and even bigger and badder villains. The heroes were all alpha, rugged, smart, focused, and many times, men of very few words, bordering on functional mutism!! These are my 7 favorite action-adventure movies. It’s no wonder 5 of the movies I’ve listed here were made before 2000. The two that were made after 2000 are still fabulous and action worthy. But the best movie of them all is the last one I’ve listed.

Air Force One

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Dr. Indiana Jones, a renowned archeologist and expert in the occult, is hired by the U.S. Government to find the ark of the covenant, which is believed to still hold the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately, Hitler’s agents are also after the ark. Indy and his ex-flame Marion escape from various close scrapes in a quest that takes them from Nepal to Cairo.

Best scene in the movie: When Indiana shoots a would-be assassin in a marketplace.

Die Hard

New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and two daughters on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realizes that there’s no one to save the hostages — but him.

Best villain in a movie: Alan Rickman, hands down!!!

Taken

Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), a former government operative, is trying to reconnect with his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace). Then his worst fears become real when sex slavers abduct Kim and her friend shortly after they arrive in Paris for vacation. With just four days until Kim will be auctioned off, Bryan must call on every skill he learned in black ops to rescue her.

Scariest line in a movie: Liam Neeson to his daughter over the phone ; “You will be taken.”

Predator

Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a soldier of fortune, is hired by the U.S. government to secretly rescue a group of politicians trapped in Guatemala. But when Dutch and his team, which includes weapons expert Blain (Jesse Ventura) and CIA agent George (Carl Weathers), land in Central America, something is gravely wrong. After finding a string of dead bodies, the crew discovers they are being hunted by a brutal creature with superhuman strength and the ability to disappear into its surroundings.

Best line by a sidekick in a movie: Jessie “the Body” Ventura when he’s told he’s been wounded and is bleeding. “I ain’t got time to bleed.”

Lethal Weapon

Following the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Riggs’ volatile behavior might just help them apprehend the criminals — if it doesn’t kill them both first.

Best comedy gag: Martin Riggs pulling a 3 Stooges face slap before head butting and arresting a group of would-be killers.

Wonder Woman

Before she was Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana meets an American pilot (Chris Pine) who tells her about the massive conflict that’s raging in the outside world. Convinced that she can stop the threat, Diana leaves her home for the first time. Fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars, she finally discovers her full powers and true destiny.

Simply the BEST SUPERHERO of them all. ‘Nuff said.