10 Forgotten ’80s Action Movies That Deserve Another Look

With some of the blockbuster hits released in recent years, it’s easy to overlook some of the classics action movies of past decades. The 1980s were a golden age for the action genre, with a focus on unstoppable action stars, witty dialogue, and fast-paced action. this left no time for reflection. With iconic franchises starting as Rambo with First Blood In 1982, a few films got lost in the shuffle, and while they perhaps didn’t impress or receive wide acclaim at the time, they more than deserve another watch to appreciate their true brilliance.

The 1980s produced some of the best action films of all time, such as Midnight Run and Mountain range of heartbreakthat demonstrate the versatility of the genre, showing a breathtaking combination of humor, emotion and action. From paranormal martial arts missions like The Last Dragon for brave police killers like Manic PolicemanThese films all have a unique hook that makes them some of the best action films of the 80s. Don’t waste time revisiting these classic films to fully appreciate the characters and storylines that helped innovate and elevate the genre for future generations.

10

Red Heat (1988)

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Soviet police officer Ivan Danko, who follows a case to the United States, where he is tasked with joining forces with the jovial Chicago detective played by Jim Belushi. The two must work together to track down and arrest a drug dealer responsible for the death of Danko’s partner, in a cultural clash over time that sees many miscommunications and differences in policing styles. It’s a classic crime action comedy with a Cold War-era twist, co-written and directed by the acclaimed Walter Hill (48 hours).

Red Heat made the interesting and inventive choice of having a Russian police officer come to the US and become a sympathetic Soviet hero at a time when there was still some political turmoil in the East versus West conflict. The combination of Schwarzenegger’s stoic and stern delivery contrasted with Belushi’s exaggerated and comedic style is the perfect combinationand their chemistry really drives the film forward. Although overshadowed by the release of Schwarzenegger’s other comedy in 1988, Twinsthis film still delivers a great showing, with an inventive plot punctuated by intense and brutal action.

9

Manic Policeman (1988)

Starring Bruce Campbell

William Lustig Manic Policeman and an epic combination of horror and action that finds a sadistic and rogue cop on a blood-soaked rampage through the department and the City of New York. Starring Bruce Campbell and Tom Atkins as the police officers on the case, they uncover the story of Matthew Cordell (Robert Z’Dar), a former officer who uncovered corruption in local government and was subsequently arrested and prepared to be murdered and silenced. in Sing Sing Prison. Thought dead, he returned to haunt and terrorize the system and those who betrayed him.

The film deals with sensitive and culturally relevant topics of police abuse and misconduct, and although it is wrapped in a low-budget, exploitative horror film, it still has relatively nuanced social commentary on some of these darker topics. The action is violent, bloody and long-lasting, with some brutal scenes of death and murder that don’t shy away from the bloodshed.. While it could quickly be written off as a 1980s horror with little substance, the narrative and performances have aged well and promoted it to a cult favorite among 1980s action lovers.

8

Nighthawks (1981)

Starring Sylvester Stallone

Between the releases of sequels two and three of the iconic Rocky franchise, Sylvester Stallone found time to star as a courageous police detective who is part of an anti-terrorism squad on the case of an international terrorist and crime lord (Rutger Hauer).. Nighthawks sees the cat and mouse game of life and death between the detectives, the squad and the evil antagonists determined to cause destruction and chaos. The dynamic works beautifully between the two protagonists as the narrative unfolds and reaches its climax.

Nighthawks is packed with action and drama, especially the infamous chase sequences that take place in the underground subway, which remain a fun, well-choreographed scene even through today’s lens. Hauer gives one of the performances of his career as the frightening and sadistic terrorist whose portrayal is genuinely scary and realistic, with a simmering chemistry between him and Stallone. While the film didn’t receive the same fanfare or promotional push as some of Stallone’s other works at the time, leading to a more muted reception, it’s still a quality ’80s action film.

7

Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

Starring Mel Gibson

George Miller Mad Max beyond the Thunderdome see the Mad Max franchise returns for the third timewith Mel Gibson returning to the titular role of enigmatic ex-cop Max Rockatansky. Follow Max as he continues his journey through the post-apocalyptic wasteland, as he must enter a lawless area ruled by the ruthless Aunt Entity (played by Tina Turner). This portion of Mad Max sees a more defined focus on the setting and world of the Mad Max universe, with an in-depth look at the characters and their situations.

With the launch of Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015, starring Tom Hardy, new life was breathed into the series and a new spotlight was shone on the previous films. However Beyond the Thunderdome has exceptional character development and a dive into the personal and social dynamics of the time, still has all the characteristics of a Mad Max film, with epic stunts and extremely fun vehicular sequences. Often noted as the least popular and successful film in the franchise, it still stands on its own and does an excellent job continuing the series’ legacy.

6

Tango and Money (1989)

Starring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell

Tango and money is a crime action comedy starring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell as rival cops in one of the best-sounding 1980s films in history. It follows the two police officers as they are wrongly accused of murder by a criminal mastermind, who is plotting to take them both down. Although the film had its fair share of production issues, with a change of director midway through, it still managed to form a cohesive and entertaining piece of 80s American media that is endlessly replayable.

Needless to say, the film’s main highlight is the electric chemistry and bond between Russell and Stallone, both delivering high-octane action scenes combined with heartfelt moments and witty banter. The film is filled with explosive sequences and over-the-top set pieces that truly encapsulate the 1980s.with the climactic ending being the crown jewel of the over-the-top drama. Tango and money represents a true time capsule of 1980s aesthetics, with towering performances and an easy-to-follow plot that make it an invaluable watch for any action movie fan.

5

Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)

Starring Fred Ward and Joel Gray

Guy Hamilton Remo Williams: the adventure begins stars the underrated Fred Ward as Officer Sam Makin, a hard-boiled New York cop and Vietnam veteran who is recruited to become a deadly assassin for the US CURE division. The plot follows Sam as he transforms into ‘Remo Williams’ after having his death faked and undergoing surgery to look completely different, while also being trained to become an emotionless killing machine. The character Remo Williams is based on the star of the 1971 paperback series The Destroyer by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir.

The film completely and, in some ways, perfectly conforms to many classic tropes of 1980s cinema, seeing incredible action, training montages, and martial arts masters. Ward and co-star Joel Gray get it and nail it, with Ward realistically playing both versions of his role and Grey, impressively, being nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance. Although the film has been overshadowed by some similarly themed blockbuster releases such as First Blood and CommandIt’s still a solid 1980s action movie that’s fun and entertaining to watch.

4

License to Kill (1989)

Starring Timothy Dalton

After his first appearance as James Bond in The living lights of the daytwo years earlier, Timothy Dalton reprises his role as the world’s most famous spy. The plot for License to kill sees Bond forced to go rogue, a somewhat unknown path at the timeto take down a brutal drug dealer (Robert Davi). Instead of playing some of the more whimsical and lighter elements of the Bond character, Dalton plays a darker, more intense version that is a refreshing change from some of the previous portrayals.

License to kill was the first Bond film to change its title from Ian Fleming’s original novel, and that was just the beginning of the changes. The film saw Dalton’s portrayal stand the test of time much better than some previous versionsand the action sequences, like the explosive finale, are still some of the best in the series. The film had a genuine impact on the Bond franchise as a whole, showcasing a new look for Bond that would be mirrored by Daniel Craig, producing a significant cultural impact for the future of the series.

3

The Last Dragon (1985)

Starring Taimak and Julius Carry

The Last Dragon is a cult classic martial arts film directed by Michael Schultzwhich is a melting pot of action, combat, comedy and music. Its narrative follows the story of a young martial arts student, Leroy Green, obsessed with achieving combat mastery and in search of ‘shine’, a mystical power that is obtained when reaching the final level of skill. Set against the backdrop of the frenzy of New York, the iconic and unforgettable antagonist, Sho’nuff is the perfect counterpoint in a film that masterfully combines so many elements.

With its cast of unique and wacky characters, genuine martial arts skills and memorable 80s soundtrack that perfectly sets off the film, The Last Dragon It’s a certified classic of the era. Like many ’80s films, the tension builds until a final fight scene that expertly culminates the film, in this case seeing Leroy finally achieve mystical ‘shine’ by becoming an unstoppable force. The film, its creators and actors do an excellent job interweaving the various elements and even though at the time of release it was considered strange and niche, it is these same characteristics that make it stand out so much today.

2

Cordillera Desgosto (1986)

Starring Clint Eastwood

The always reliable Clint Eastwood stars as Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway in Mountain range of heartbreakfilm that he also produced and directed. The story follows the Gunnery Sergeant as he is tasked with training a group of undisciplined and inexperienced soldiers for a reconnaissance mission, a task deemed suitable for him as he is known for being aggressive and confrontational. The film really highlights Eastwood’s imposing presence and plays with many wartime tropes, with the grizzled veteran nearing retirement who has to give his all in one final mission.

The film’s title comes from the infamous Battle of Mountain range of heartbreak during the Korean War, the conflict that earned Highway his Medal of Honor. While obviously not as well-known or critically acclaimed as Eastwood’s more popular westerns or more popular later films like Dirty Harry, Mountain range of heartbreak it still shows an incredible story with a tense rescue and exceptional character development. Eastwood’s portrayal of a veteran with attitude would prepare him for many of the future roles he would play so masterfully in the future.

1

Midnight Run (1988)

Starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin

In one of the most underrated and underappreciated films of the decade, Midnight Run sees Robert De Niro play a hardened bounty hunter who is bringing in his latest fugitive, an accountant (Charles Grodin)who embezzled $15 million from a Chicago mob boss. The film follows the duo as they cross the country together on a far from simple journey. It’s an impeccably paced and scripted film that allows the main characters to run wild and deliver a riveting display of humor, action, and genuine connection.

Although the film was a critical and commercial success during its release, it is a film that is rarely, if ever, mentioned. It’s a film that skillfully combines comedic moments with emotional scenes, and the chemistry between the two leads as they develop an unexpected bond is truly incredible to watch. Ifailed to achieve a significant cultural impact at the time, with several other big-name releases in the same yearas Blood sport and Die Hard. However, it is a film that combines all the surprising elements of a 1980s action film and should be celebrated as part of De Niro’s oeuvre.