Top 10 most intense action movies of all time. Part 1

Action movies — are all about adrenaline, and many members of the genre often find new ways to push the tension to maximum points. Blockbusters and lesser-known action movies are filled with iconic characters and their stories told against unforgettable backdrops that leave fans wildly excited. Sometimes it’s the scale of destruction that makes these action movies so tense, and sometimes it’s — the precision of one-on-one combat that keeps viewers glued to their screens.

From the revenge story in the two-part “Kill Bill” to the terrifying battle for survival in “Rambo: First Blood” — the most intense action movies in history force their characters — and viewers — to the brink. Whether it’s heart-pounding chases, powerful explosions or brutal hand-to-hand combat — there’s something for every action movie fan in these thrilling films.”

Rambo: First Blood.

10. The Matrix (1999)

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“The Matrix” premiered in 1999. In the sci-fi action movie, Thomas Anderson, aka Neo (Keanu Reeves), a computer hacker, discovers that his reality — is a perfectly executed simulation created by intelligent machines using humans as a power source. Neo is recruited by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), the leader of a group of rebels, to fight the intelligent machines that have enslaved humanity. In the process, he learns that he may be “the one” destined to free humanity, i.e., the chosen one.

He learns that he may be the “one” who is destined to free humanity.

Wachowski’s “The Matrix” — a groundbreaking work packed with thrilling action and story, most notably unprecedented slow motion scenes. The hand-to-hand combat scenes, influenced by Asian cinema, showcase impeccably choreographed fights combined with stunts incompatible with physics. Neo and Morpheus’ duel in the dojo and their numerous jumps between skyscrapers proved how CGI and special effects can create tension in even such a setting.

The film’s action sequences are a great example of how CGI and special effects can create tension in even such a setting.

9. The Dragon Exit (1973)

A compilation of martial arts and Bruce Lee’s last completed movie before his tragic death, “Exit the Dragon” — is a must-see classic, especially if you like action movies. Directed by Robert Clouse, it tells the story of Lee (Bruce Lee), a Shaolin martial arts master recruited by British intelligence to infiltrate the island fortress of Han (Shi Kien), a criminal mastermind running a deadly martial arts tournament. Lee’s task — not only to gather evidence, but also to avenge the death of his sister, who was murdered by one of Han’s henchmen.

He’s task is to find the evidence and avenge his sister’s death.

The movie “Exit the Dragon” was instrumental in bringing martial arts to the attention of Western audiences, and Lee’s lightning-fast fighting style and screen presence attracted new fans. The film emphasized realistic, high-impact fights that highlighted the star’s talent, as shown in tournament fights where he destroyed opponents one by one. More than 50 years later, the movie is still considered a masterpiece to revisit and the pinnacle of the martial arts sub-genre.

The movie is still considered a masterpiece to revisit and the pinnacle of the martial arts sub-genre.

8. The Raid (2011)

The Raid — is pure action from start to finish, with a plot centered around an elite team intent on taking down a crime boss. In the slums of Jakarta, the team is tasked with storming a high-rise building controlled by the ruthless Tama (Ray Sahetapi). The building is home to some of the city’s most dangerous criminals, and the team’s mission quickly turns into a fight for survival when they are ambushed and trapped on the sixth floor. Rookie cop Rama (Iko Uwais), the remaining rookie cop, is tasked with leading the team to protect his comrades and complete the mission.

Ramah (Iko Uwais).

Director Gareth Evans uses the film’s fear of confined spaces, claustrophobia, to ratchet up the tension. In the 2011 film, the traditional Indonesian martial art of pencak silat is on display in most of the melee scuffles, and the fight scenes are transformed into deadly dances that are mesmerizing. Fans who enjoy this brutal action movie will be happy to know that its sequel, “The Raid 2,” is just as intense.

Fans who enjoy this violent action movie will be happy to know that its sequel, “The Raid,” is just as intense.

7. Aliens (1986)

After the success of 1979’s “Alien,” Sigourney Weaver reprised her role as Ripley in 1986’s “Aliens.” After a deep space rescue team finds her frozen on a ship, she reluctantly agrees to a mission to the planet LV-426, where she first encountered the deadly xenomorphs. This time she is accompanied by a squad of heavily armed marines sent to investigate a colony that has mysteriously stopped responding to signals and giving any signs of life. What they find forces Ripley to face her worst nightmares once again, but this time she’s armed and ready for battle.

“Aliens” benefits from the direction of James Cameron, who took exactly what was needed from Ridley Scott’s original and amped up the action. The movie has incredible set pieces that add to the thrilling action of the growing xenomorph threat. Of course, Weaver’s performance as the badass Ripley elevated the movie to new heights and cemented her character’s status as one of the most iconic action heroes in movie history.

Weaver’s performance as the badass Ripley elevated the movie to new heights and cemented her character as one of the most iconic action heroes in movie history.

6. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

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The movie “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” became quite an influential phenomenon in pop culture and movie theaters in the 1990s. Fans eagerly awaited Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appearance as the reprogrammed T-800. In the James Cameron-directed movie, the T-800 no longer kills Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), but protects her and her son John Connor (Edward Furlong). As the future leader of the human resistance, John becomes a target for machines from the future, particularly a shape-shifting liquid metal assassin named T-1000 (Robert Patrick). Together, the trio tries to defeat the seemingly unstoppable villain, and their fate inevitably determines the fate of humanity’s future.

The trio’s struggle to defeat the seemingly unstoppable villain is an unstoppable one.

A perfect example of a proper sequel. “Terminator 2” surpasses the first installment in almost every aspect, especially when it comes to action. The $100 million budget allowed the director to not hold back on the spectacular scenes, and the large-scale sets served as the perfect stage for incredible stunts. Moments such as a truck chase through Los Angeles and a confrontation at a steel mill make the movie a thrilling epic that keeps you on your toes. The 1991 film has become the basis for many other sci-fi films in the genre.