The action genre does not always receive accolades for its continued evolution, with Hollywood, international productions, and indie filmmakers continually seeking ways to breathe new excitement into the format. While nothing matches the same polish or action of, say, a John Wick or Shadow Strays, past decades will always have their champions.
The 2000s were pivotal years in many ways for the genre. Notably, the integration of CGI was slowly becoming more seamless, as opposed to the early, mangled machinations that gave many ’90s films an uncanny valley feeling. At the same time, international cinema began to flourish more. Looking back at the 2000s, as much as it was a transitional year for the genre, there are plenty of films that still kick some serious butt.
Films like these 10 stand-out action films from the 2000s.
‘Harry Brown’ (2009)
Harry Brown (Michael Caine) is a Royal Marines vet, living in a crime-ridden London housing estate alone while his wife is in hospital. After her passing, emotionally devastated, he idles away his time playing chess at his local pub with a friend, Len (Liam Cunningham). Len, who has become the target of violent youth gangs, is eventually killed, and the youths responsible are soon released shortly after they are caught. Harry buys a pistol, and after witnessing more cruelty at the hands of the gang, decides to take matters into his own hands.
A Cathartic Tale of Revenge
Call it what you will (I like “Get off my Lawn” cinema), but the old man seeking revenge on youth has become a cathartic cinematic go-to with the odd film popping up every couple of years that finds acclaim for doing just that. Harry Brown benefits from the performance of the always compelling Michael Caine, but also veers into more action-heavy brutality in its later parts. This one, grounded in a theme that will likely always resonate with viewers, has certainly withstood the test of time, and can get a viewer’s blood boiling, then pumping as horrible actions lead to glorious retribution.
‘Ip Man’ (2008)
Acclaimed martial arts actor Donnie Yen steps into the shoes of the titular Ip Man, a grandmaster of Wing Chun. Highly respected and revered, Ip Man lives a retired and peaceful life, choosing not to take on pupils and instead devoting himself to caring for his family. When war comes to China, Ip Man finds his family fortune stolen and begins to work in the mines to support his family. The owner of the mine, who happens to be a Karate master, organizes fights between the Chinese and soldiers for basic provisions. Reluctant but eventually competing, Ip Man’s victory sparks a string of events that force him to fight for his family and friends.
A Timeless Love Letter to Martial Arts
Ip Man presents an idealistic balance of authentic martial arts action and heartfelt storytelling that made it an instant hit among action fans. Here, taking the film back to its basics is what proved essential in giving the film a timeless quality. While others went to more violent extremes, Ip Man celebrated martial arts in their purest and most honorable form. The film would build an entire franchise around the mythical martial arts figure, who was inspired by a real legend, infamously known as the trainer of Bruce Lee.
‘Live Free or Die Hard’ (2007)
2007 saw the return of one of cinema’s most beloved action heroes, as NYPD detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) was assigned to bring in a young hacker, Matt Farrell (Justin Long). The task would see McClane fighting against a series of threats as a former Department of Defense security expert turned cyber-terrorist, Thomas Gabriel, sends assassins after Matt. At the same time, Gabriel is plotting a terrorist attack that will see the entirety of the USA go off the grid. John McClane and Matt become unlikely allies to stop a greater threat.
A Legendary Return for a Legend
Live Free or Die Hard will always stand as an example of how to honor a franchise while bringing it into the modern era, blending old-school action sequences with a larger budget and a more contemporary plot. Perhaps more importantly, the film nailed the everyman/underdog appeal that made John McClane such a beloved action hero in the first place. Capturing the essence of what came before and offering a polished version ensures that Live Free or Die Hard will live on in fans’ memories, just as the original Die Hard did in 1988.
‘Kung Fu Hustle’ (2004)
Two wannabe gangsters, played by Stephen Chow and Lam Chi Chung, attempt to gain the favor of the most powerful gang, the Axe Gang, by extorting money from a poor neighborhood called Pig Sty Alley. However, the community houses a plethora of retired Kung-fu masters, and soon finds itself up against all manner of mythical martial arts with bizarre powers. After seeking guidance from the skilled masters, the two come together to help protect the community when the Axe Gang arrives to collect money.
The Perfect Action Comedy
If the recent success of the Naked Gun reboot has proven anything, it is that slapstick comedy remains a lot more timeless than many initially thought. Yet, you can look at how well the blend of humor and action was executed in the 2004 action comedy masterpiece, Kung Fu Hustle. Here, you can also start to see the juncture where CGI and live action began to work together more effortlessly, with the film able to capture cartoonish and comedic action sequences that did not fully take one out of the experience. At its heart, Kung Fu Hustle is also an endearing tale of redemption, one that will never grow old.
‘Taken’ (2008)
Retired CIA operative Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) desires to reconnect with his teenage daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace). When Kim is kidnapped along with her best friend, Amanda (Katie Cassidy), by an Albanian human trafficking ring, Bryan uses his specialized set of skills to track them down.
A Man With a Particular Set of Skills
Taken may be the most iconic action movie of the 2000s, with Liam Neeson’s portrayal of Bryan Mills serving as a career turning point and a performance that has become a pop culture staple thanks to his iconic lines. “I will look for you, and I will kill you” certainly set a tone for the film that delivered in a big way, with intense forward momentum, high stakes, and no messing around. This approach would become increasingly common, and some could say it has been refined, but it still stands decades later as an unforgettable thrill ride.
‘Crank’ (2002)
Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) is an in-demand English hitman based in Los Angeles. After killing a gang boss and being targeted, Chelios finds himself injected with a synthetic drug that will eventually stop his heart as a means to leave him to suffer for his crime. To stay alive, Chelios must keep his adrenaline pumping. Seeking revenge, he has to do anything and everything he can to remain stimulated while tracking down the gangster who injected him.
Non-Stop Action
Okay, wait, wait, we hear you — this one is really for the edgy boys, but that crowd still exists. As juvenile as Crank can be, it is still an uproarious, non-stop action outing that is just as electric today as it was on release. The movie also has a slight video game feel to it, along with some humor that would appeal to the same crowd. It shows its age, but it is no less exciting a trip today because of it. Plus, a high-octane Jason Statham is always welcome with action fans.
‘Hero’ (2002)
Set during the Warring States period of ancient China, Hero opens with a warrior given the title of Nameless (Jet Li), who claims to have defeated three legendary warriors who opposed the King of Qin, for whom he seeks an audience. The story unfolds in three retellings of the same events, as he confronts the legendary martial artists, Broken Sword (Tony Leung), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung), and Sky (Donnie Yen).
A Visual Masterpiece That Flows Like a Dream
Unless you’re old enough to recall when Hero hit theaters, it is hard to relate just how big a hit it was and a win for international cinema on American screens, albeit beaten out by another contender for this list, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). Utilizing wire-fighting techniques, the film itself feels somewhat dated, with the method feeling somewhat archaic from a Western perspective; however, the movie remains the definitive and best example of stunt and action work using this method. Paired with its inventive storytelling structure, stunning martial arts scenes, and star power, Hero will always be a beloved and timeless film.
‘The Bourne Identity’ (2002)
An amnesiac (played by Matt Damon) is discovered by two fishermen in the Mediterranean Sea, with two gunshot wounds and an embedded chip tied to a Swiss bank being the only clues to who he is. After discovering a large sum of money and a cache of guns at the bank, the man slowly starts to piece together that he is Jason Bourne, an elite CIA-trained assassin. Meant to be dead, and now a target, Bourne has to fight off pursuers while he tries to piece everything back together.
A Man on a Mission
A spy thriller with a more gritty and less tech-heavy approach, The Bourne Identity spawned one of the hottest action franchises in the 2000s. While the film franchise that spawned from the movie seems like a distant memory, the surprise casting of Matt Damon, coupled with some explosive action sequences, would set the groundwork for other actors making the unlikely transition in the decades to come. Influence aside, the action here is sharp and fast-paced. Action films of this ilk may feel more refined now, but The Bourne Identity still delivers and is an exciting watch over twenty years later.
‘Ong Bak’ (2003)
Ting (Tony Jaa) is tasked with trying to recover the head of a Buddhist statue from his small village after it is stolen by bandits. Armed only with his Muay Thai skills, Ting finds himself thrust into the big city life, coming up against criminals and illegal underground fighting tournaments. In order to bring back honor to his village, he must challenge all sorts of gangsters and desperate fighters to bring back the stolen relic.
Creating a Global Star
Ong Bak would act as a breakout role for Tony Jaa, garnering him worldwide recognition for his physical prowess and abilities in both martial arts and stunt work. The release of Ong Bak also coincided with a shift in the action genre, as the more fantastical martial arts and attempts at integration of CGI made many fans want just raw martial arts action, of which the film delivers in excess. The way action films are shot continues to evolve, but the human body is only capable of so much; Ong Bak pushes Jaa to the limits, and he will forever remain one of the best in the genre thanks to Ong Bak.