The Best Action Movies Of The 90s...
...which don't involve too much gore.
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- DirectorAndrew DavisStarsHarrison FordTommy Lee JonesSela WardDr. Richard Kimble, unjustly accused of murdering his wife, must find the real killer while being the target of a nationwide manhunt led by a seasoned U.S. Marshal.Proves that more is needed than a lot of guns and high-speed chases for a quality action movie; acting, character development, dialogue, plot, music, and style are just as important and this film gets it right in all these categories.
- DirectorSydney PollackStarsTom CruiseJeanne TripplehornGene HackmanA young lawyer joins a prestigious law firm only to discover that it has a sinister dark side.The most tense on this list - you really can't breathe at multiple points during the film - and I love the plot: so many twists and turns.
- DirectorPhillip NoyceStarsHarrison FordWillem DafoeAnne ArcherCIA Analyst Jack Ryan is drawn into an illegal war fought by the US government against a Colombian drug cartel.Best Jack Ryan film by a mile.
- DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsTom CruiseJon VoightEmmanuelle BéartAn American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.Successful first Mission Impossible entry. I like the dark atmosphere throughout the film, and the way the director has filmed the Kiev scenes - so refreshing to have a less than obvious 'action location'.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsSam NeillLaura DernJeff GoldblumA pragmatic paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park on an island in Central America is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned dinosaurs to run loose.Great film all round.
- DirectorRoger SpottiswoodeStarsPierce BrosnanJonathan PryceMichelle YeohJames Bond sets out to stop a media mogul's plan to induce war between China and the UK in order to obtain exclusive global media coverage.Very interesting concept, with the plot centering on the dangers of trusting what is printed in newspapers. However, after a promising first half or so, the film gets weaker with the introduction of Bond's Chinese sidekick - their relationship just feels routine and bland.
The director should have continued the Bond/Paris relationship, as Paris is a far more psychologically interesting character, who gets to expose some of Bond's vulnerability/fears. Such a shame this didn't happen. - DirectorAlan J. PakulaStarsJulia RobertsDenzel WashingtonSam ShepardA law student uncovers a conspiracy, putting herself and others in danger.Definitely more of a suspense drama than an action movie (similar to 'The Firm')
- DirectorPhillip NoyceStarsHarrison FordSean BeanAnne ArcherWhen CIA analyst Jack Ryan interferes with an IRA assassination, a renegade faction targets him and his family for revenge.Feels a bit too long and lacks subtlety, but nail-biting all the same. The first half is excellent.
- DirectorMartin CampbellStarsPierce BrosnanSean BeanIzabella ScorupcoYears after a friend and fellow 00 agent is killed on a joint mission, a secret space based weapons program known as "GoldenEye" is stolen. James Bond is assigned to stop a Russian crime syndicate from using the weapon.The James Bond film which brought the franchise up to date with modern fast-paced thrillers...
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonDanny DeVitoMichelle PfeifferWhile Batman deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin wreaking havoc across Gotham with the help of a cruel businessman, a female employee of the latter becomes the Catwoman with her own vendetta.Not a patch on Burton's 1989 'Batman'. The main problem is the villain. He's meant to be grotesque, but he's so grotesque that you just don't want to watch him at all.
Catwoman is great - seductive, dark, unstable, vulnerable, and morally undecided. She is the reason this film remains worth the effort. Batman himself has a fairly small role (sadly). In fact, he's more Bruce Wayne than Batman here. We get the feeling he just wants to put his feet up and have a cup of tea. - DirectorMichael AptedStarsPierce BrosnanSophie MarceauRobert CarlyleJames Bond uncovers a nuclear plot while protecting an oil heiress from her former kidnapper, an international terrorist who can't feel pain.Exciting for much of the time, silly also for much of the time. As with all Brosnan Bond films, the ending goes too far.
- DirectorPhil Alden RobinsonStarsRobert RedfordDan AykroydSidney PoitierA security pro finds his past returning to haunt him when he and his unique team are tasked with retrieving a particularly important item.Bizarre, frankly. It starts out well and then tries to be too clever with the various twists and turns until resorting to an end-of-the-world-or-else plot.
It gets away with it to some extent because it doesn't take itself too seriously and there are some genuinely funny moments.
Although Robert Redford tops the actor's list here, he's rather pedestrian, and it's David Straithairn who steals the show. He plays an interesting character - a blind hacker/electronics whizz, and luckily he gets decent screen time.
Glad to have seen, but not one I'll be watching again. - DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsHarrison FordGary OldmanGlenn CloseCommunist radicals hijack Air Force One with the U.S. President and his family on board. The Vice President negotiates from Washington D.C., while the President, a veteran, fights to rescue the hostages on board.You only need to see this once....because it's not actually very good. But, if you're looking for nerve-shredding, mindless excitement this is the movie to make your evening. And let's be honest, I've watched it like 4 times.
What does get tiring is the black and white portrayal of Americans versus Russians. For a brainy thriller...go elsewhere. - DirectorLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsKeanu ReevesLaurence FishburneCarrie-Anne MossWhen a beautiful stranger leads computer hacker Neo to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth--the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence.Genre-defining, but sadly this has dated quickly, and I think it's because they wear sunglasses. It makes them look pretentious.
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsSean ConneryAlec BaldwinScott GlennIn November 1984, the Soviet Union's best submarine captain violates orders and heads for the U.S. in a new undetectable sub. The American CIA and military must quickly determine: Is he trying to defect or to start a war?I can't honestly remember this very well. I think it had an interesting plot, but I don't think I was seriously riveted.
- DirectorEdward ZwickStarsDenzel WashingtonMeg RyanLou Diamond PhillipsA U.S. Army officer, despondent about a deadly mistake he made, investigates a female chopper commander's worthiness for the Medal of Honor.Ok.