I’m a guy who likes films… like, really likes films. Because of my addiction I’ll pretty much watch anything from anywhere.
A little bit of Film Noir from the 50s, maybe some German Expressionism from the 20s, but every now and then my brain begins to hurt from all the visual metaphors and intricate plotlines. So, when I’m feeling a little lazy, I love to kick back and watch shit get blown up. I’m not going to call these movies ‘Guilty Pleasures’, because there’s nothing guilty about them. Action films are the bedrock of cinemas, and quite frankly, massively kick ass. Here are my top five action movies from the 90s.
Con Air
I’m currently writing this piece in a terminal in Sydney airport, slowly freaking myself out about a prisoner take over. But what are the chances of that really happening? Well, according to Con-Air, they’re pretty high. Nicholas Cage has fallen in and out of favour with the public throughout his long acting career. There’s no hiding that he has made some real shockers, but Con-Air is an all time favourite of mine, and it’s totally worth it to see Cage sporting a mega mullet.
The Matrix
Keanu Reeves sucks, The Matrix doesn’t. The Matrix is the mother of philosophical mind f%$#s, and has lead people of all ages to question the very fabric of reality for years. The action sequences are unmatched because, well, The Matrix itself is an unprecedented landscape. Watching punches and kicks fly by in slow motion and henchmen unload buckets of bullets is a joy to watch, and takes the pressure off trying to figure out what’s actually going on.
The Fifth Element
The Fifth Element is like a way crazier version of Star Wars, without the Jedi and with way more elements. Set very far in the future, the movie is jam-packed with aliens and kidnappings of sorts, and is so enjoyable I’d go as far to say that if you don’t go and watch it, you’re a square.
Rush Hour
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan made Rush Hour 1, 2, 3 so enjoyable, that the only thing stopping me from putting all three on this list is the fact that only one of them was made in the 90s. Watching Chan perform all his own stunts is only made better by Tucker’s hilariousness. Their on-screen chemistry really is a match made in heaven.
Independence Day
Ignoring the recent remake, Independence Day is a truly epic movie. The cast alone is enough to put you on the edge of your seat, while the special effects will make you fall off it. I’m not sure what it is about aliens and why they always feel the need to attack America (Mars Attacks! Battle: Los Angeles and Cowboys and Aliens to name a few) but let’s hope they keep it up, because it makes for one hell of a viewing experience.
