10 action movies from the 1980s that are a lot of fun

The 1980s produced many excellent action films, many of which have never been surpassed in terms of entertainment value. The big-budget blockbusters of the 1980s have a unique appeal. Years before overabundant CGI, long-running mega-franchises, and endless reboots took some of the shine away from multiplex popcorn movies, the 1980s was a great decade for original stories with tons of crowd-pleasing action.

It’s no coincidence that some of the biggest action franchises of all time have their roots in the 1980s, like Lethal weapon and hard to die and Indiana Jones. All of these types of films combined fun ideas with charismatic movie stars. More importantly, they also delivered the kind of hair-raising action that can still evoke a visceral response in audiences several decades later.

10

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Danny Glover and Mel Gibson make an irresistible duo

Lethal weapon could be the crime film par excellenceand remains one of the best nearly four decades later. The film gets most of its dramatic momentum from the teaming up of its two heroes. Murtaugh is a trusted veteran, a cop who has seen and done it all and is counting down each day until his retirement. Riggs, on the other hand, is wild and irresponsible. In their own way, Murtaugh and Riggs provide exactly what the other needs, and the chemistry between Danny Glover and Mel Gibson rings true.

The main thrust of the criminal plot is largely immaterial, because the most compelling human element of the drama comes from the relationship between the two heroes. It turns out that they are chasing a gang of drug dealers, but these thugs could easily be replaced by killers, terrorists or lawbreakers. The plot takes a back seat Lethal weaponfull-throttle action scenes. There’s nothing particularly revolutionary about the car chases, hostage situations, and shootouts, but director Richard Donner brings them to life. Lethal Weapon 5 It’s the sequel to the legacy that no one expected.

9

The Running Man (1987)

The running man delights in stylized violence

Before video game adaptations became a huge trend in Hollywood, The running man it provided the same kind of joyful arcade experience. Arnold Schwarzenegger serves as Ready Player One and fights his way through a constant procession of strange enemies. These bosses even have names that could have been taken from 1980s arcade consoles.including Subzero, Dynamo and Fireball.

Besides arcade games, the other major influence on The running man it could be professional wrestling. Jesse Ventura stars as one of Arnie’s enemies, but he’s not the only clue that The running man is dedicated to a sense of macho pomp. It’s a terrible adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, but it’s still a wonderful action adventure. Edgar Wright’s remake of The running man will star Glen Powell and promises to provide a more faithful vision of King’s dystopia.

8

Bloodsport (1988)

JCVD’s extravagant martial arts classic shows what he’s capable of

Blood sport It’s an interesting film. There are plenty of valid criticisms – the bad acting, the ridiculous plot, the fact that the characters keep doing splits every five minutes – but Blood sport It’s still a cult classic. Even the film’s staunchest defenders must accept that it is a cheesy, pointless fantasy. This does little to deter his enthusiasm. Blood sport knows what fans of martial arts films want to see and delivers it in spades.

Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as an American soldier who goes off the map so he can compete in the world’s deadliest martial arts tournament. That’s all the setup you need for an onslaught of flying kicks and lightning-fast punches. Bolo Yeung plays his big bad role admirably. He and Van Damme have enough genuine martial arts skills to make up for it. Blood sportmany deficiencies. It’s a film that has more muscles than senses, but fortunately those muscles are impeccable.

7

Die Hard (1988)

Die Hard is simple but effective

Die Hard It’s one of the best pure action films of all timeand it only got better with age. Die Hard follows an off-duty police officer who is caught in a hostage situation when terrorists take control of a skyscraper. This simple premise is so effective that the first Die Hard the sequel copies it almost entirely and is another great action film. The first Die Hard it remains the best, however, thanks to its originality and powerful execution.

One thing that helps Die Hard Standing out from so many other action films of the time is Bruce Willis’ performance as John McClane. It’s McClane who gets the lion’s share Die HardThey’re memorable quotes, and they help differentiate him from the indestructible 1980s action hero archetype. He suffers more than many characters played by Stallone and Schwarzenegger. Also, Die Hard gives him a villain who’s as iconic as he isdriven by Alan Rickman’s performance.

6

House on the Road (1989)

Patrick Swayze’s Thrill Ride Is A Guilty Pleasure For Many

Road house proudly trades cheap thrillsand as a result, has accumulated a large cult following over the years. Patrick Swayze stars as a stoic bouncer who is given a difficult assignment at a roadside bar, where bands play behind chicken wire and the rock and roll is punctuated by the sounds of breaking glass. Road house it seems to take place in a sexist fantasy world. That’s the only way to explain how a security guard has a national celebrity level and can rip someone’s throat out with his bare hands.

2024 Road house The remake has its charms, including a bizarre performance from UFC star Conor McGregor, but the original’s visceral thrills remain hard to top. Practical stunts bring a level of kinetic danger to bar fights. With a hint of sexual appeal and some ironic phrases, Road house ticks all the boxes for 80s action. It has little emotion and lacks complexity, but Road house is undeniably fun to watch.

5

48 hours. (1982)

A delicious cocktail of action and comedy

48 hours remains one of Eddie Murphy’s best films, even though it marked the comedian’s film debut. It is often credited as one of the films that helped create the buddy cop genre.and the dynamic between Murphy and Nick Nolte set the playbook for countless imitators. Nolte plays a hardened detective, while Murphy is the fast-talking criminal who gets a chance at freedom if he helps an investigation.

48 hours sets the standard for the crime genre’s love of mismatched comedic dynamics. Nolte and Murphy are a consistently entertaining duobut 48 hours nor does he neglect his duties of action. Finding the right balance between action and humor can be tricky for crime films, but 48 hours There are lots of car chases and fight scenes that convey a real sense of danger.

4

Top Gun (1986)

Top Gun takes audiences on a death-defying ride

Superior weaponThe country’s political motivations have been dissected and debated since 1986, but its vague gestures toward military power are just one way of understanding it. A more light-hearted approach would be to simply appreciate Superior weaponthe spectacular flying scenes and their mindless flyboy charms. Superior weaponMay’s greatest achievement may be the way director Tony Scott puts the audience in the booth with Maverick.

Positive reviews from Superior weapon often notice stylistic elements such as the iconic soundtrack or the bromance between the male protagonists. These accolades highlight the kind of film that Superior weapon and. It’s a fun time that tries and often succeeds in getting the audience along for the ride. Superior weapon may have been surpassed by its 2022 sequel in many ways, but it has still stood the test of time as an icon of 1980s big-budget blockbusters, full of style, originality and pure movie star magic.

3

Robo Cop (1987)

Paul Verhoeven’s subversive satire still delivers frenetic action

Robo Cop is a great sci-fi thriller, but it also works as a dark and hilarious satire of corporate America. The short sentences and exaggerated characters are a way that Robo Cop it avoids many of the dark clichés of dystopian science fiction. The world of Robo Cop is no less horrific, but Paul Verhoeven approaches it with enough intelligence to keep the film light and fun. This sets the stage for some beautifully chaotic violence.

The other positive point The film’s satirical humor is that it positions RoboCop as a character who’s fun to spend time with, rather than a cold-blooded embodiment of corporate overreach and unfair law enforcement. Robo Cop appears to have been inspired by another 80s action classic, The Terminatorbut it’s more subversive and a lot funnier, even as it’s obsessed with mechanized carnage.

2

Predator (1987)

Predator has many ways to keep audiences entertained

Predator follows an elite tactical unit as they face an unknown threat in the jungle. It’s often seen as an allegory for the Vietnam War, but that layer has nothing to do with the absolute entertainment value. Predator has many advantages even before the iconic alien hunter makes his first appearance. Of Predatorthe endlessly harsh quotes from his explosive shootouts, is a celebration of the action genre’s most self-indulgent tropes.

Near the beginning, Predator begins in a fairly traditional way, with Dutch’s team infiltrating a guerrilla base in the dense jungle. After this exciting fight, Predator turns right and turns into horror, as soldiers begin to be shot down one by one. The mix of genres highlights the fact that Predator He will do anything to entertain his audience. The franchise’s sequels have struggled to replicate the success of the originalpartly because nothing can replace the impact of seeing the Predator for the first time.

1

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Indy’s third outing is a light-hearted romp

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom sometimes it gets really dark, but The Last Crusade returns the franchise to happier territory. Although Indy is involved in another battle with the Nazis, The Last Crusade is a relentlessly entertaining delight that doesn’t try to go too deep. There will always be a debate about whether it is the best film in the world. Indiana Jones franchise, while Raiders of the Lost Ark also claims that title, but there’s no denying it’s the funniest.

The addition of the old James Bond star Sean Connery as Indy’s father introduces a new comedic dynamic to The Last Crusade. This simple change suddenly puts the usually mild-mannered Indy at a disadvantage, and he regresses to the stage of a moody teenager. The Last Crusade combines this comedy with some of the best action sequences in the franchise. The motorcycle chase is a highlight, as is the opening scene, which shows how a young Indy gets his first taste of adventure.