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Recommend me some *smart* action films?

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macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jun 26, 2005
2,643
10
Toronto
I find myself drawn to action films, but am terribly appalled by the crap churned out by the genre sometimes. I'm looking for smart action films. Films with excellent storylines, deep characters, but nail-biting, realistic action. Things like Taken, Heat, Collateral, The Bourne Series, Guy Ritchie films, Public Enemies, Road To Perdition, etc. Films with smart motivated characters, sharp skillsets, and no guys walking away from explosions looking cool.

What have I missed? :) Thanks in advance!
 
coasterider said:
Indiana Jones
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Schtumple said:
The first 3 (and only ;) ), you have to watch one after the other, film gold right there.
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I agree; That third Indiana Jones movie was sooo dumb. It could have been sooo great if they had left out the whole Alien Spaceship thing and simply done another Bad Nazis (or in this case Russians) plot. I was disappointed :(

Sahara was cheap, popcorn adventure, but not realistic in any sense. Just fun.

Closely related to that in unrealistic-yet-fun adventure is The Transporter (the first one)

Hero was an excellent film, but told from the historic China perspective. I'd recommend that to just about anybody.

Rock N Rolla. Gerard Butler rules.

Shoot'em Up. Clive Owen also rules.
 
Nugget said:
The Game (1997) starring Michael Douglas.
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Great suggestion. Thanks! :eek:

I'm not too into the over-the-top blockbuster action flicks. I enjoy realism. A story you can imagine happening in the real world. Which is why I'm steering clear of some of the previously mentioned suggestions, like Indiana Jones and The Transporter. Thanks though!

Any other suggestions are welcome. :)
 
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I always enjoy We Were Soldiers - Vietnam war flick with Mel Gibson.
Body of Lies is about an undercover CIA guy in the middle east.
The Departed (great cast!!) is a fantastic film IMO. I think you'd really enjoy that. Mob guy works undercover in the police, and a police guy works undercover in the mob...but a little more complicated.
Blood Diamond is also pretty good.
Defiance - Danial Craig saving Polish (I think) Jews during WWII.
Enemy At The Gates is a favorite of mine - WWII sniper in Stalingrad, based on a true story.
The Kingdom - A bomb and shooting occurs at an America housing compound in Saudi Arabia, so CIA go in to find the bad guys - I know how it sounds, but it's not stupidly over the top.
Pride and Glory - About corrupt cops in NY
Brooklyns Finest is a similar plot but not as good IMO.
Valkyrie - About the plot to assassinate Hitler by some of his own military staff. Not much action though.

None of them are 'OTT stupid explosions' Hollywood blockbusters, but still really good films IMO.
 
Melrose said:
My brother loves that movie. I saw a little bit of it, and it was just too "real" for me. :/
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Yeh I know what you mean. It was almost too much the first time I watched it. There are some very graphic, moving moments. I tend to think of it as the Saving Private Ryan of the Vietnam war.
 
Melrose said:
Lucky Number Slevin wasn't bad. not realistic, but not bad.
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I thoroughly enjoyed Lucky Number Slevin, howerver unrealistic it might be.

Good choices above here, both Leon and Falling Down are excellent movies. Especially Leon, but I would classify it more as drama than action, really.
 
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