Are modern action films better than old ones?
Discussion
As it say above - Are modern action films better than old ones?
By modern I'm looking at post 01.01.2000 - anything prior to this will fall into 'old'.
It must be said that the violence levels of modern films are through the roof compared to their older brethren (along with gore) but are they better?
By modern I'm looking at post 01.01.2000 - anything prior to this will fall into 'old'.
It must be said that the violence levels of modern films are through the roof compared to their older brethren (along with gore) but are they better?
If you are talking switch your brain off all out action then 80s/90s can't be beat.
Like the other thread it's difficult for me to name 5 great action films from the current century as a lot of them don't just stick in your head.
In the old days you can easily just say Arnie and he will have 5 great films himself, Terminator 1 & 2, Predator, Running Man, Total Recall.
Then there's Bruce Willis/ Sly/ Wesley Snipes/ Van Damme etc and they all have a few films each that can be classed as great.
You can easily remember the lines from most of the film's above and watch them hundreds of times and not be bored but how many current movies can you say the same for.
Like the other thread it's difficult for me to name 5 great action films from the current century as a lot of them don't just stick in your head.
In the old days you can easily just say Arnie and he will have 5 great films himself, Terminator 1 & 2, Predator, Running Man, Total Recall.
Then there's Bruce Willis/ Sly/ Wesley Snipes/ Van Damme etc and they all have a few films each that can be classed as great.
You can easily remember the lines from most of the film's above and watch them hundreds of times and not be bored but how many current movies can you say the same for.
Not in my opinion, it's all crash-bang-wallop editing, vastly unfeasible SFX and needless gore.
Watch a classic 'action' film and you won't see bayonets going through people's chests, or heads exploding, or blood splattering up walls, or music at 140bpm. If your film is good enough, it doesn't need it.
The disconnect for me is that once the modern action film is over, and our tribal lust for gore sated, we emerge into a sanitised world where the most shocking crime is to say something that offends someone's imagined sensibilities. As the real world becomes more false, films and TV programmes go the other way.
Watch a classic 'action' film and you won't see bayonets going through people's chests, or heads exploding, or blood splattering up walls, or music at 140bpm. If your film is good enough, it doesn't need it.
The disconnect for me is that once the modern action film is over, and our tribal lust for gore sated, we emerge into a sanitised world where the most shocking crime is to say something that offends someone's imagined sensibilities. As the real world becomes more false, films and TV programmes go the other way.
modern ones seem to fly along at a breathless pace but still chew up 2hrs.
The older ones are around the same time but you get the impression time has passed and lots has gone on. Gives it rewatch value.
I dont know what trick is at play here but I think its to limit repeat rewatch in newer ones as you are meant to consume the next treat as they dont get money from you watching your old disc or download.
They must hate things like star wars so keep on remastering them endlessly to 4k ,8k and eventually kidnap your sister to get something out of you.
The older ones are around the same time but you get the impression time has passed and lots has gone on. Gives it rewatch value.
I dont know what trick is at play here but I think its to limit repeat rewatch in newer ones as you are meant to consume the next treat as they dont get money from you watching your old disc or download.
They must hate things like star wars so keep on remastering them endlessly to 4k ,8k and eventually kidnap your sister to get something out of you.
It depends by what measure you're judging them.
Technically, from a cinematic perspective, modern action movies cannot be beaten because the tools available today weren't available to filmmakers in the past. But older films probably delivered better stories and better performances from the actors as they didn't have the option of CGI to hide behind.
On balance, the best action movies made today - as in those with good stories, acting and action - are significantly better than those from the past as the overall look and feel is far more convincing and thus more immersive.
But at the end of the day, you like what you like.
Technically, from a cinematic perspective, modern action movies cannot be beaten because the tools available today weren't available to filmmakers in the past. But older films probably delivered better stories and better performances from the actors as they didn't have the option of CGI to hide behind.
On balance, the best action movies made today - as in those with good stories, acting and action - are significantly better than those from the past as the overall look and feel is far more convincing and thus more immersive.
But at the end of the day, you like what you like.
its funny, one of the biggest 'complaints' of the old movies was how unrealistic they were, unlimited ammo/bad guys cant shoot straight/not very realistic
Hollywood addressed those issue and now people complain that they aren't fun or what not.
Alot were seemingly happy for when Deadpool became an 18 which allowed Logan to be made and Wolverine to become 'violent' and do the character justice. As opposed to the weak efforts they had of him previously.
Or what about Bales batman vs Keaton?
Hollywood addressed those issue and now people complain that they aren't fun or what not.
Alot were seemingly happy for when Deadpool became an 18 which allowed Logan to be made and Wolverine to become 'violent' and do the character justice. As opposed to the weak efforts they had of him previously.
Or what about Bales batman vs Keaton?
Bale’s Batman as a story was very good. Very well put together as a whole thing. An ensemble on screen.
Keaton’s Batman though was in a whole different league as a study of man. Keaton told the story of the psychotic side of Wayne through his eyes alone and it was mesmerising. Bale has nothing like that persona, so had to do it differently.
And Nicholson to Keaton: Have you ever danced with the devil by the pale moonlight? Still hits the spot every time. It’s an iconic line delivered perfectly.
The sequels to Keaton v Jack though were not in the same league despite Michele Pfeiffer being hot as hell.
Bale had a proper trilogy of good stuff to work with.
As to the best of modern action films being better then the best of older ones...please, give over!
The day a current action film vies for being in top 5 films of all time, top 5 action films and top 5 Xmas films - then Die Hard might get worried. Until then though? Not even close. That’s before we throw Spielberg and Raiders into the mix.
Keaton’s Batman though was in a whole different league as a study of man. Keaton told the story of the psychotic side of Wayne through his eyes alone and it was mesmerising. Bale has nothing like that persona, so had to do it differently.
And Nicholson to Keaton: Have you ever danced with the devil by the pale moonlight? Still hits the spot every time. It’s an iconic line delivered perfectly.
The sequels to Keaton v Jack though were not in the same league despite Michele Pfeiffer being hot as hell.
Bale had a proper trilogy of good stuff to work with.
As to the best of modern action films being better then the best of older ones...please, give over!
The day a current action film vies for being in top 5 films of all time, top 5 action films and top 5 Xmas films - then Die Hard might get worried. Until then though? Not even close. That’s before we throw Spielberg and Raiders into the mix.
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