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Bruce Willis ' name has become synonymous with high - octane movie over the last four X , but which of his action movies rank worst and respectable ? The American - born Willis has been nothing inadequate of prolific across a wildly successful 38 - twelvemonth career , boasting over 70 feature film to his name . Yet , despite being well known for his thrilling legal action turns , Willis has also dabbled in music and field , while also being the carbon monoxide gas - founder of the themed restaurant chainPlanet Hollywoodalongside fellow action stalwartsArnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone .
Willis ' first magnanimous break first make it in 1985 , when he reportedly beat over 3,000 other audition actors to put down the role of David Addison Jr in critically herald ABC comedy - dramaMoonlighting . However , it was his then - unexpected turn ( following a serial publication of comedic roles ) inDie Hardthat catapulted him to star status , with the throb smash hit grossing over $ 138 million upon release . Willis ' round as the gruff ever - quick Sergeant John McClane instantly ingratiate him to action interview worldwide , with Willis still being the first alternative for many activity feature of speech picture to this sidereal day .
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Since his breakout performance inDie Hard , Bruce Willishas starred in 50 credit action movies to date . From Rian Johnson ’s sci - fi - military action mind - benderLooperto more tally - of - the - grind fare , such asThe Expendables , Willis has cement his position as one of the legendary action musical genre names of his generation . Here ’s every Bruce Willis action movie rank from worst to best .
#50 - Cosmic Sin
Cosmic Sinis irrefutable proof that novel does not equal intimately , with Bruce Willis giving a dead - eyed performance in Edward Drake ’s ill - conceptualise sci - fi and action mishmash . Themes of exotic racial extermination and time travel alongside a horribly pace narrative ensuredCosmic Sinwas quite justly resect by critic upon release , with the plastic film have no cashable timbre to speak of . Edward Drake’sCosmic Sinis , quite but , a sinful while of cinema that does not deserve the theatrical liberation windowpane it improbably was granted in former 2021 .
#49 - Breach
Breach ’s plan for achiever seems to be only sticking Bruce Willis at the head of the film ’s runtime hoping that his enduring endowment will mask any story frailties . This , alas , does not crop forBreach , with many of Willis ' setting feeling so shoehorned into existence that the sci - fi natural action horror portmanteau apace turns into a garbled mess . Breachwas already aiming for a specific subgenre of interstellar horror before a scene was even shot here , and its anaemic distance - virus storyline will fulfil only the most forgiving of audiences to date .
#48 - Apex
At its core , Apexshould work as a plastic film , particularly with Willis and co - starNeil McDonough ( Red Stone)in fine fettle throughout . However , the issue with Apex is that it tries to port the timeless concept ofThe Most unsafe Gameinto a sci - fi action at law setting , with the results nothing myopic of calamitous . Apex is an pure mess of a film that will be remembered more for its jambon - fisted , key - by - numbers dialogue than anything else in years to come as its character continue to cry , " I ’m the acme predator ! " until they are racy in the grimace .
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#47 - Air Strike
Bruce Willis has proven his military drama chop up metre and again with salient performances in films such asTears of the Sun , which makes the lack of punch in the straight - to - videoAir Strikeall the more confusing . Air Strikeshould be compelling viewing withMel Gibson ( Mad Max)serving as graphics film director on the moving picture that tells the write up of the Japanese bombing on the Chinese metropolis Chongqing during World War II . Yet , while the premise is doubtless tense , Air Strikefalls flat amongst its own sensation of grandeur . Air Striketrades excitement for endless historic expo , with the picture show ’s joyless shape towards a six - year - foresightful airwave battle over Chongqing feeling more thrilling compared to the protract battle itself .
#46 - Hard Kill
The bodies pile up predictably fast and high inHard Kill , in which Bruce Willis ' Donovan hires a free-lance team to rescue his kidnapped girl . Whereas some boron - movie offerings on this ranking suffer from trying to shoehorn Willis into their narratives , Hard Killbecomes frustrating due to Willis ' lack of overall involvement . He is substitute in spirit mostly by Jesse Metcalfe ’s Derek Miller , whose deficiency of on - screen charisma does piffling to sell the size of the stakes supposedly facing Donovan ’s girl .
#45 - Survive The Night
2020 was not a vintage year for Bruce Willis , with his other turns inHard KillandBreachbeing emblematic of the uneasiness that quickly envelopsSurvive the Night . Chad Michael Murray stars as a put down doctor who takes up arms against a aggrieve father ( Willis ) , but despite several gritty hunter - vs.-prey action conniption , Survive the Nighthas very petty actual story to fall back on , which damp the impact of the vehemence at hand . This rushed feel to the film ’s concluding version is perhaps to be expected , however , whenSurvive the Night ’s principal picture taking reportedly took just ten days to complete .
#44 - Extraction
Extraction ’s premise is as uninventive as it is wear upon , terminated with CIA defectors , Russian sleeve dealers , and a shiny - eyed field agent in Harry ( Kellan Lutz ) all thrown together in a blur of espionage and aggression . The problem withExtractionis that all of these activity image have been played out thousands of times before , with not one scene memorable enough to live long in the retentiveness . While Bruce Willis perform admirably with the define script and Dan Bilzerian bizarrely pops up as a member of Harry ’s security measure point , Extractionis best left in the " unobserved " category for all but the most action at law - divest audiences .
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#43 - Reprisal
Reprisalcenters on Jacob(Chopshop ’s Frank Grillo ) , a camber manager haunted by a crimson heist that take the life of a coworker who afterwards team up with his ex - cop neighbour , James ( Willis ) , to bring down the assailant . However , Jacob and James chop-chop realise that their aim is a extremely train , Jason - Bourne - style criminal , who proceeds to dismantle their lives . Reprisal , while take sharply choreographed natural action , falls down at the first narrative hurdle , with Brian A. Miller ’s flick unable to explicate quite why a humankind with such an impressive skillset is charge around Ohio causing bloodshed and surcharge banks haphazardly .
#42 - Trauma Center
Trauma Center ’s insular secret plan work rather well , for a time , as a terrified nurse accidentally shot in the leg flees two unsung assailants . Trauma Centerturns farcical , however , when Nurse Taylor ’s ( Nicky Whelan ) pursuers change by reversal out to be corrupt policemen who can only be tied to their crimes within the hospital by the bullet in her leg . Fan - pet Bruce Willisalso features very short here , with his turn as Lt . Steve Wakes a mere formality when Taylor begins to contend back against the men hunt her .
#41 - Setup
IfReprisal represents Willis ' regretful endeavour at a heist - dash film , Setupdoes not follow far behind , as it attempts to deliver every banking company - robbing cliché without any of the expounding its title heedlessly forebode . Setupis endemic disease of the straight - to - Blu - Ray early 2010s film that wheel mindless activity ; although Curtis Jackson ’s turn as the conniving Sonny is more absorbing than it has any right to be in the context of the pic .
#40 - Precious Cargo
One os - crunching gambling casino - plant scene is the only thing that elevatesPrecious Cargoabove other options listed here , with the rest of the film ’s story offering very small legal action , despite its genre itemization . InPrecious Cargo , homicidal criminal offence boss Eddie Filosa ( Willis ) convinces thief Jack(The Passage ’s Mark - Paul Gosselaar)and his gang to steal $ 30 million in diamonds from another crime gang , which will , in bit , be traded for a womanhood . Precious Cargois heterosexual - to - video fare at its good ( or bad ) that stacks up decently for late - nighttime showing , but otherwise withers in the cold light of day against other far ranking activity option .
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#39 - The Prince
While by no means an unspeakable celluloid , The Princesuffers from its close narration ties to the immensely superiorTaken , with Jason Patric ’s Paul nowhere near as convincing in the to a great extent - worn vengeful father persona . The Princeis not alone here , withTakenspurring a bowed stringed instrument of pale imitations in the years following its 2008 release , although none touch up toLuc Besson ’s original task . The Prince ’s problem is that it follows theTakenformula so closely that it feel as if there is very little original contentedness in the movie , a fact made all the more galling by the 19 executive producers attached to the film .
#38 - Survive The Game
Survive the Gameadmirably assay a no - frills , no - holds - barred feast of action at law that certainly has its peaks and till despite a bloated 97 - minute runtime . Chad Michael Murray and Bruce Willis hotshot here as two dangerous men marooned at a distant farm , which , coincidently , is surrounded by a vicious gangland rabble . Predictably , topsy-turvydom ensues , and whileSurvive the Gamescores show for some roughshod fight scenes , its emotive beats feel abominably misguided in the context of its 2021 release escort .
#37 - The Cold Light Of Day
The Cold Light of Daybrings a pleasant-tasting all - star cast together in what shew to be an entertaining , if not slightly underwhelming , tale of contemporary espionage . Bruce Willis ' abruptly - lived appearance as the Shaw patriarch is serviceable enough , but it is a young Henry Cavill in his pre - Superman years that carriesThe Cold Light of Day ’s winding patch frontward skillfully . Sigourney Weaver is also highly entertaining as defective CIA squad leader Jean Carrack , although she , like Willis , deserves more screen door time than she gets here .
#36 - First Kill
Bruce Willis and Hayden Christensen do their absolute good with a freakish script that queerly allows both actors to shine in their various function in Steven C. Miller’sFirst Kill . TheStar Warsprequel ’s Hayden Christensenplays Will Beeman , a raving achiever on Wall Street that struggles to link with his family emotionally , as he takes his wife and son back to his hometown . Once there , he is tangle in a cat and mouse game of rottenness and confederacy that offer some genuinely lurid twists unify with mostly received , man - against - creation action fare as Will pushes back against the enigma his hometown hold .
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#35 - A Good Day To Die Hard
A full Day To Die Hardproved to be a stretch too far for Bruce Willis ' otherwise goldenDie Hardfranchise , with John Moore ’s submission removing almost everything that made the firstDie Hardmemorable . The nuanced characters on both sides of the conflict , as well as the political subtexts and quick wit , have been dissolved almost entirely here asDie Hard ’s John McClaneand his son take on Russia in a sick imitation of the enfranchisement ’s first three installments . Bruce Willis isA Good Day To kick the bucket Hard ’s one saving grace , with his smirking John McClane prove an resistless protagonist even amongst the film ’s illogical mess of explosions , stereotype , and stock dialogue .
#34 - Once Upon A Time In Venice
Once Upon A clock time in Venice ’s premise of a Los Angeles detective seeking the crowd that stole his dog carry more than a shade ofJohn Wick - inspired military action . Bruce Willis ' 2017 action fare is so interchangeable toJohn Wickin its story ontogeny , in fact , that it almost translates as a comical send - up of Keanu Reeves ' universally praised dealership . Once Upon A clock time in Veniceundoubtedly ranks as Bruce Willis ' best action at law performance of the retiring four years , but that does not detract from the fact that the flick can not decide whether to mockJohn Wick ’s affective dog narrative or hug it in the hopes of emulate theWickfranchise ’s success .
#33 - Acts Of Violence
Acts of Violenceis certainly a serviceable slash of military action cinema , which sees three Midwestern brother , a crime lord , and an incorruptible police officer placed on a deadly hit form . As its name suggests , Acts of Violencefeatures a tableau vivant of appal scenes from human trafficking to visceral , close - quarter shootings . While Bruce Willis is largely marginalise here , the trio of Cole Hauser , Shawn Ashmore ( The Boys ) , and Ashton Holmes doubtlessly carryActs of Violenceas the vengeful MacGregor brothers .
#32 - Marauders
Marauders ' action - packed plot of land veers from the gritty to the unbelievable at a high pace of knots , with millionaire camber owner Jeffrey Hubert ’s ( Willis ) financial clout only covering some of the many secret plan holes the picture is littered with . Despite some gross narration errors , however , Marauderspacks a punch as Willis and his co - star Christopher Meloni slug it out in a engagement of wills and muscularity overMarauders ' 107 - minute runtime that facilitate smooth over Cody and Sivertson ’s tongue-tied script .
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#31 - Fire With Fire
The hold out impact ofFire With Fireon its audience largely depends on what pre - existing anticipation they had pass away into the film , which is a bizarre blending of cheesy quips and over - the - top ferocity . flaming With Fireis sure as shooting an acquired penchant that sees a stellar cast of Josh Duhamel , Rosario Dawson ( Sin City ) , Vincent D’Onofrio , and Willis wreak havoc on an unsuspicious Long Beach taken over by the Aryan trades union . It must be said that whileFire With Fireis by no means a cinematic masterpiece , the 50 penny - produce film definitively fall into the " so bad , its sound " category with its unrelentingly excessive approach to a vigilante justice narrative .
#30 - Catch. 44
The first well - round celluloid in this higher-ranking , Catch . 44switches slickly between an action - thriller and niche funniness as three drug world underlings become trammel in a dining compartment following a bungled robbery attempt . Bruce Willis ' Mel steals the show here , with his characterization of an unhinged criminal offense boss belt " Respect " alone worth a viewing . Forest Whittaker also tackles a somewhat unique role to his common fare as the lovestruck Ronny that turns on his superiors to make unnecessary Tes(Rampage ’s Malin Åkerman ) .
#29 - Cop Out
Kevin Smith’sCop Outdoes not always deliver the laughter its duo of Bruce Willis and Tracey Morgan promises , but it is nonetheless a strong buddy cop offering that demo a mirthful feeling at contemporary memorabilia compulsion . Seann William Scott , Kevin Pollak , and Rashida Jones also star in this screaming , baseball game bill touting escapade that contains enough Cullen buddy dialogue to secure its continue re - watchability as a late - dark offering .
#28 - G.I. Joe: Retaliation
The 2nd film reboot in the dear minor ’s franchise , G.I. Joe : Retaliation , doubles down on the CG’d action , international villainy , and machination of 2009’sG.I. Joe : The Rise of Cobra . G.I. Joe : Retaliationis sure not aiming for anything unaired to high art , with much of its 100 - mo runtime not even stopping to break for breath between fight picture . Yet , the vapid nature ofG.I. Joe 2 ’s plot does little to detract from the piece of fun it serves up as Dwayne Johnson , Channing Tatum , Jonathan Pryce , and Willis collide over the fate of the world .
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#27 - Hudson Hawk
It must be stated right out of the gate thatHudson Hawkis an undeniably bold movie and was even more so upon its 1991 release . toon - style slapstick scene , complete with well-grounded outcome and a wholly surreal glide path to temper , conspire to makeHudson Hawka unique offer that coversbizarre conspiracy theories , secret societies , and historic mysteries in its own jarring format . WhileHudson Hawkwas roundly trash by critic upon tone ending and offered picayune by way of corner office achiever due to the assumption it would extend a standardised experience toDie firmly , Hudson Hawkremains an enjoyable slice of absurdist comedy for the discerning Bruce Willis aficionado .
#26 - Striking Distance
Striking Distance ’s premiss feels at home in any number of silklike , contemporary thrillers , as Bruce Willis ' disheveled Sergeant Tommy Hardy agnize with revulsion that a sequent orca is targeting people he in person knows . Sarah Jessica Parker and Tom Sizemore also add weight toStriking Distance ’s initially tense story , which is only let down by adeus ex machina - tropevillain that emerges from the ether to the tired pipeline " we thought you were dead!“Striking Distance ’s want of ingenuity within the action - thriller literary genre ultimately prevents it from outrank higher on this , but it is still a solid choice for those looking to watch a by - the - book early 90s detective motion-picture show .
#25 - Mercury Rising
Mercury Risingcontinues to separate opinion to this Clarence Shepard Day Jr. as a film that stands to extend so much without ever really delivering on its assumption of taut FBI corruption that characterized Ryne Douglas Pearson ’s original novel . Alec Baldwin and Bruce Willis are surprisingly flat as special agent butting head , which is made all the more surprising by their subsequently compelling chemistrywhen reviewingMotherless Brooklyn . However , Mercury Risingis deserving watch for Miko Hughes ' stunning operation alone as a nine - class - honest-to-god autistic boy , Simon Lynch , with Hughes winning several accolades for his heartfelt work here .
#24 - Surrogates
Bruce Willis ' only film of 2009,Surrogates , centers on a dystopian future tense in which humans can buy remote control - controlled robots that act as beautiful , veridical - human beings avatars of themselves from the comfort of their own base . Surrogates ' assumption is spookily plausible give modern - day social metier , which has ensured this Willis action sashay has aged surprisingly well . Surrogatesalso features a Ving Rhames cameo alongside Willis 15 years after the span first appear together in the iconicPulp Fiction .
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#23 - Death Wish
Eli Roth ’s remake of a Charles Bronson classic does exactly what it state on the Sn , withDeath Wishproviding ample gore and hard - boil - detective style character along the way . Bruce Willis maven inDeath Wishas Paul Kersey , a Chicago doctor who sets out to get retaliation on the men who assail his family . It is a dewy-eyed premise , but one that the experienced Roth clearly relishes as he packsDeath Wishwith elated retaliation - porno scenes , as Kersey mow down those who wrong him with a bowling egg , a flit , a wrench , and any other household point in confining law of proximity to his wrath .
#22 - The Jackal
Director Michael Caton - Jones’The Jackalhits all the right bank bill without ever truly excelling within the bound of the action genre . Caton - Jones bed what makes a hit film , however , tack together Richard Gere , Sidney Poitier , and Willis to rampant commercial succeeder asThe Jackalmore than doubled its $ 60 million budget upon release in 1997.Bruce Willis also compromiseson something different compared to his usual , wise - crack action part , with a more sinister good turn as the titulary Jackal , a highly - skilled , mostly silent assassin who cut through several high-pitched - visibility prey before settling on the First Lady herself .
#21 - The Siege
The Siegeis now viewed as a rather rabble-rousing piece of movie house through a present-day lens , although in 1998 , it proved to be an exciting , purposeful thriller from conductor Edward Zwick . The cinema rotate around fictional terrorist cadre that make several blast in New York City , forcing Denzel Washington ’s particular broker Hubbard and Willis ' USA general Deveraux to fight back . WhileThe Siegenow rails as insensitive follow the effect of 9/11 and the dangerous stereotypes it pedals , it is still a well - made piece of film that is only emblematic of a different time in Hollywood .
#20 - Hostage
For those look for grisly , bone - crunching activity , Hostageis an contiguous filling . While not the most nuanced of films , as Bruce Willis ' retaliate police chief quickly identifies his foeman combatant before slaughter them mercilessly , Hostagecontains enough affectional drama via the Talley kinsfolk to ensure its numerous fight scenes nation .
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#19 - Last Man Standing
Walter Hill ’s taut narration of prohibition era Texas contains all the mobster , glitz , and gunplay one would bear from a hard - boiled period bit backed up by an in - sort Christopher Walken . However , beyond being an entertaining plastic film , Last Man Standingis consider fondly in hindsight due to it being one of the first double-dyed Western antihero delineation , as the dryly discover John Smith mows down waves of opponents with petty regard for his affability .
#18 - Sin City: A Dame To Kill For
The explosive follow - up from Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez boasts the same stylistic palette , gratuitous fury , and laughable style as its 2005 predecessorSin metropolis . Sin City : A Dame To Kill Foris highly entertaining stuff , flesh out Miller ’s visceral on - screen world and giving more depth to compelling characters like Mickey Rourke ’s Marv . Truly , Sin City : A Dame To obliterate Foronly suffers critically compared to the original Sin City movie , which merely packs more of a punch due to its originality in 2005 .
#17 - The Expendables
Bruce Willis is one of many all - whiz face inThe Expendablesensemble that wholly pays tribute to the blockbuster action film of the late eighties and early 1990s . While Willis ' cameo is short as the secret Mr. Church , his inclusion is highly warranted off the back of hisDie Hardoutings that helped redefine the advanced action mechanism musical style . This is to say nothing ofThe Expendablesformulaic actionplotitself , which is a rip - roar , headless ride that mashes a glut of activeness stars together in homage to the men that shaped gamey - octane Hollywood for a generation .
#16 - RED 2
TheREDsequel pits the three retired and extremely dangerous Bruce Willis , John Malkovich , and Helen Mirren against a new multiplication of faceless Russian foe to toy with . While lack the originality and Muriel Sarah Spark of its predecessor , RED 2still pack a biff via its hilarious premise of senior citizen taking down far younger and less experienced agent . From viewingRED 2 , it is also quite clear how much fun Willis , Mirren , and Malkovich are have in their several roles , elevating the film ’s infectious humor to a different level .
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#15 - Tears Of The Sun
get into the dependable poppycock now isTears of the Sun , director Antoine Fuqua ’s thrilling narration of a Navy Navy SEAL squad pose amidst the pandemonium of the Nigerien civil war . Tears of the Sun ’s stake find implausibly gamey , owed in no small part to the comprehension of real African refugees in the motion picture that hammers home the plight of the Nigerien Carry Nation on display . Willis is also extremely compelling as SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters , who is forced to watch his team die one by one as waves of determined militia master them .
#14 - The Expendables 2
The 2012Expendablessequel perfectly shove along its harbinger out of the piddle , up the stakes and brutality that the original Expendables offered . Gone are the inordinate homages to the natural action stars of yesterday , supplant with heapings of vehemence and self - denigration exemplified byJean - Claude Van Damme ’s terrify young villain . Bruce Willis ' Church role is also lucubrate upon inThe Expendables 2 , which improves on the first Expendables offer in almost every possible elbow room .
#13 - 16 Blocks
Richard Donner is certainly no stranger to the buddy cop legal action genre , and the director ’s follow - up to his iconicLethal Weaponfranchise pays contiguous dividends here . Perhaps most surprising is16 Blocks ' unexpected conjugation of Mos Def and Bruce Willis , who dead radiate together on - screen , highlighting a reprehensively underused pairing by Hollywood in the years following16 block ' dismission .
#12 - Armageddon
The highest - grossing movie of 1998,Armageddonis a sci - fi , big - budget action movie of the in high spirits order of magnitude that combines a stellar form with the maximalist focal point of Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer . Criticized by some after part for its lack of scientific truth , Michael Bay’sArmageddonworks best in a vacuum cleaner of its own grandeur , rescue many highs and Sir David Alexander Cecil Low as NASA scientist discover they have eighteen days before an asteroid the size of Texas impacts Earth , destruct all wandering life . Armageddonis an important piece of cinema , if not a universally make love one , simply due to its cultural impact in 1998 , with the epic motion picture spawning a number one ranked soundtrack , several Disney World rides , and earn $ 553 million through the sheer weight of its telling collective part .
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#11 - RED
Inspired by the Homage cartoon strip series of the same name , REDwas a breath of fresh zephyr to the dusty espionage - action genre in 2010.REDtrades all - out violence and slow action mechanism sequence for a keen wit , backed by a starring heart and soul dramatis personae of Willis , Mirren , Malkovich , andMorgan Freeman ( Barb & Star Go To VistaDel Mar ) , who sparkle as baneful pensioners in Robert Schwentke ’s moving-picture show . There is an nonphysical , yet unbelievably satisfy quality that arrive with watching headmaster of their craftsmanship outwit young , cocky opponent , and this is exactly the notionREDwholeheartedly embodies as Frank Moses and his team dispatch countless foeman with consummate comfort .
#10 - The Last Boy Scout
One of the last dandy offerings from the golden eld of buddy fuzz action , The Last Boy Scoutis a cunning , extremist - fierce thriller that plays to its go mould of Bruce Willis and Damon Wayan ’s strengths . give the star power and plug wall the then - record price of $ 1.75 million paid for the screenplay byShane Black ( Lethal Weapon ) , it is little wonder whyThe Last Boy Scoutfeels so much more polished than many of its contemporary musical genre rivals . Extra points here go to the moving-picture show ’s phenomenal and ghastly helicopter blade episode , with the scene nominate for an MTV flick award in 1991 .
#9 - Planet Terror
Robert Rodriguez ’s cinema espouse the survivors of a biochemical irruption as they battle zombie - like creatures and a rogue military unit , a standard premise that chop-chop germinate thanks to Rodriguez ’s dexterous touch at the helm . Planet Terroris such a thrilling picket because it is so irregular , with zombies taking a backseat as humans kill each other with syrinx , wooden legs , and high - powered machine guns . Planet Terroris grindhouse picture palace at its right-down best , with critics even ranking it above its double - feature partnerDeath Proofupon release in 2007 .
#8 - Live Free Or Die Hard
Originally marketed asDie operose 4,Live Free Or Die Hardis proof of the franchise ’s stay on staying might some 33 years after its origination . survive Free Or kick the bucket Hardis a tell portrayal of the zeitgeist in 2007 , as rapid technological advance left a swathe of previously confident men feeling alienated in the advanced world . Bruce Willis ' John McClane exemplifies this feeling to perfection , with his stain of moxie and brainpower initially stack up poorly to the sophisticated method acting of a stew cyber - deplorable ( played by Timothy Olyphant ) . Extra points here go to Justin Long ’s good turn as cyberpunk - turned - reluctant - hero , who give a career - in force carrying out as a man with nothing to lose .
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#7 - Die Hard 2
While lacking the fresh thrill of its groundbreaking precursor , Die Hard 2is still a film compact with iconic action moments , with its woodworking plane crash aspect still living long in the memory . Bruce Willis is back here as the legendary John McClane , who this time goes up against the tainted military as they impress an airdrome ’s control systems . pass away Hard 2doubled the loge federal agency succeeder ofDie Hardand firmly cement Willis as one of the big action mechanism stars of his generation .
#6 - Die Hard With A Vengeance
break Hard With A Vengeanceadded a freshness back into the franchise after a more footer designate fromDie Hard 2,owed in no little part to Samuel L Jackson ’s inclusion body as Bruce Willis ' carbon monoxide gas - sensation . John McClane this prison term squad up with Jackson ’s Zeus Carver to stop dud terror across New York City , which are being hold out by Jeremy Irons ' raunchy Simon . Jackon and Willis ' interplay is what elevatesDie heavy 3above the dealership ’s anterior subsequence , with the brace intelligibly bask being back on - screen together after their meter on Quentin Tarantino’sPulp Fiction .
#5 - Looper
Rian Johnson’sLooperdelivers a fresh and frankly brave original blend of futurist sci - fi and classic military action as it follow declaration killers called " loopers " hired by criminal syndicate from the future to sack victims whom they send back through time . Looperis a wholly original , unique slice of cinema that match other mind - benders of its time period , include the much - vauntedInception . Despite clear physical deviation , Bruce Willis is imperious as Joe ’s onetime self here , with the pair ’s final , climactic collide a Graeco-Roman patch of cinema that exist long in the memory board .
#4 - The Fifth Element
The Fifth Elementis an unembarrassed sci - fi - action crusade that rightly sits atop many writing style lists for its dazzling scope . The film deliver the goods in categories at the British Academy Film Awards , the César Awards , the Cannes Film Festival , and the Lumières Awards for a variety of factors , with many critics praise its sumptuous expounding , costume design , and story scale . The Fifth Elementdelivers incisively what is expected from the most expensive European cinema ever made ( in 1997 ) , interlace paper of manhood , capitalist mistrust , and environmental damage into its interstellar narration .
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#3 - Lucky Number Slevin
WhileLucky Number Slevinbenefits from its astral ensemble cast , it is a testament to the film ’s plot that almost any hardening of actor could collude to make the film a succeeder due to its in an elaborate way weave round . To explainLucky Number Slevin ’s dead on target storyline would rob first - time viewing audience of the joy of being swept along by this enthralling film , but , sufficed to say , its sleek twists and twist are legion . Ben Kingsley does slip the show here , however , as the villainous Rabbi with a performance to rival his seminal work inSexy Beast .
#2 - Sin City
Frank Miller ’s neo - noir crime anthology is a view to behold , championing the full of comic Holy Writ adaptations long before the giving birth of entities such as the MCU . At a clip when compelling comedian - to - screenland pick were stock , Sin Cityis a daring projection that pays off in the most salient fashion . Its activeness is pulpy and visceral , its characters are magnanimous than life , and its narrative weaves disparate chapter together in a jumble way only meliorate byTarantino’sPulp Fiction .
#1 - Die Hard
Not only is it Bruce Willis ' true breakout celluloid , Die Hardalso remains his sound oeuvre to engagement by quite some aloofness . The beauty ofDie Hardis that it is as complex as it is simple , with a patch and melodic theme that essentially mirror its audience ’s inherent qualities . Die Hardcan be view as a Christmas pic , a commentary on the lost cowboy polish in America , or a straightforward shoot - mutton quad - up look on the deepness with which it is being analyse . Even stripping these nuances out does not robDie Hardof its lineament , however , with John McClane so compelling in his taut battle againstHans Gruber ( Alan Rickman)thatDie Hardis still considered the pinnacle of the action literary genre ( andBruce Willis ' ) career some 33 years after its release .
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