Even some classic movies might have one or two scenes that seem to drag, but there are other thrillers that don’t have a single dull moment. Action thrillers often fall under this category, since maintaining a rapid pace can make everything feel sharper and more urgent, but there are good examples in other genres too.
Too much action can be just as boring as a slow-moving drama sometimes, so filmmakers need to find ways to heighten the stakes and keep things interesting. Movies that can balance thrilling action with romance, humor, or a compelling mystery are often the ones which people want to rewatch over and over again.
James Cameron has always had a sharp eye for cinematic spectacle, which began with his early sci-fi action blockbusters. AlthoughThe Terminatoris already exciting,Terminator 2: Judgment Daykicks things up a notch, and it’s often hailed as one of the greatest sequels ever made.
James Cameron has always had a sharp eye for cinematic spectacle.
Arnold Schwarzenegger gets the chance to play a good guy inTerminator 2,which makes good use of his easygoing charms. Even as a cold-blooded machine, he’s easy to root for. Thanks to a simple but entertaining premise,Terminator 2can spend most of its time on its remarkable action sequences, which still hold up brilliantly.
Back to the Futureblends a fun sci-fi concept with a lot of comedy and some frantic action, and it crams all these elements into an economical plot that never wastes a moment. From the very first scene,Back to the Futuremaintains a steady pace as if it has somewhere to be.
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It’s remarkable how many iconic moments are packed intoBack to the Future,from the DeLorean’s first ride to Marty’s guitar solo at the dance and many more in between. Every scene propels the plot forward, and most of them have at least one great joke or moment of exhilarating action.
Although 30 years passed betweenBeyond ThunderdomeandFury Road,theMad Maxfranchise picked up with a rare sense of purpose. George Miller proved that he hadn’t lost an ounce of his flair for the action genre in the intervening years, even if his biggest hits in that period were movies likeBabeandHappy Feet.
Fury Road is basically one long chase sequence, but it never feels stale or predictable. The fascinating worldbuilding that often takes place in the background gives the story extra layers of intrigue, which heightens the drama of Furiosa’s desperate escape from Immortan Joe.The practical effects and creative stunt choreography makeFury Roadan instant action classic.
There’s often some debate overChristopher Nolan’s best movie. WhileOppenheimeris the Oscar-winner, and thrillers likeMementoandInceptionexplore fascinating concepts, it’s hard to beatThe Dark Knightin terms of sheer entertainment value.The second movie in Nolan’sBatmantrilogy has helped shape the superhero genre in many ways.
From the Joker’s elaborate bank heist in the opening scene,The Dark Knighthinges on the ideological conflict between him and Batman. This plays out in many thrilling encounters and dark social experiments, with Nolan showing his flair for large-scale action alongside some quieter scenes which are just as compelling in their own way.
Dog Day Afternoonis one of thebest heist moviesever made, and it’s even more interesting considering that it’s based on a real-life bank robbery. Al Pacino and John Cazale reunite after the first twoGodfathermovies to play two nervous and poorly-prepared thieves who take hostages inside a Brooklyn bank when the police get involved.
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Dog Day Afternoonbegins as a frantic crime comedy, withPacino giving one of the best performances of his life. He slides around the smooth floors of the bank, struggling to deal with the hostages, the police negotiators gathering outside and his own accomplice with an itchy trigger finger. This comedy eventually falls away to reveal a desperately tense thriller.
Whiplashis meticulously paced, like a movie about a drummer should be, so that it never rushes and never drags. The story of a young student’s toxic dynamic with his volatile mentor is more gripping than it has any right to be. Damien Chazelle succeeds in making jazz drumming seem like the most important thing in the world.
Whiplashcreates an engrossing dynamic between student and teacher, thanks to an intelligent script and two superb performances from Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons. Their story touches on abusive relationships, the pursuit of greatness, and the sense of purpose that people often assign to suffering.Whiplashmanages to explore all these subjects while remaining light on its feet.
Crime movies have been trying to mimicGoodfellasever since it first came out, but it isn’t easy to bottle Martin Scorsese’s mastery of dark comedy and mazy storytelling. Scorsese elevates many scenes which could otherwise seem ordinary into thoroughly entertaining slices of a dangerous life, and he’s helped by a brilliant ensemble cast.
Goodfellasis packed with great quotes, including a lot of naturalistic dialogue that humanizes the violent mobsters. Rather than making his characters into grotesque criminal caricatures, Scorsese shows that they’re all products of their environment who desperately want to belong.Goodfellasis also a good example of how Scorsese prioritizes beginnings and endings to his movies, carrying his audience on a wild ride right until the very last moment.
The firstIndiana Jonesmovie starts with the iconic rolling boulder scene, and it ends with the equally famous face-melting scene. Wedged between these two moments, Steven Spielberg creates an incredible number of memorable scenes, filled with action, romance, humor and a swashbuckling adventure that harks back to an earlier time.
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Raiders of the Lost Arkis emblematic of Spielberg’s expert craftsmanship and eye for cinematic spectacle. He has an intuitive feel for cinema that means he can conjure jaw-dropping moments from anywhere. When he has a story as entertaining and layered asRaiders of the Lost Ark,it results in a crowdpleasing classic.
Hot Fuzzis Edgar Wright’s satirical take on the action genre, but he shows a deep reverence for the classics, in the same way thatShaun of the DeadandThe World’s Endcan be seen as love letters to horror and sci-fi. While he pokes fun at the action genre’s tropes and excesses, he also fillsHot Fuzzwith some breathtaking shootouts and chase scenes.
Hot Fuzzis endlessly quotable, with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s buddy cop dynamic generating a lot of great jokes. They ensure thatevery scene inHot Fuzzhas something to make the audience laugh, even those that focus on the dark criminal conspiracy in Sandford.
1917is shot to look like one continuous long take, and this creates a disturbingly immersive atmosphere as the camera follows two young soldiers on a dangerous mission in the trenches of the First World War. It’s a heart-pounding war story that takes inspiration from a story Sam Mendes' grandfather told him.
It’s understandable if the audience needs some time to decompress, just like Schofield.
Theending of1917is the only moment that eases the suffocating tension, but the bittersweet finale doesn’t feel like a true victory. After everything that Schofield has been through, both physically and emotionally, it’s clear that his story hasn’t found much of a resolution. It’s understandable if the audience also needs some time to decompress.
