Good question, fellas. 'Action star', to me, means the actor has developed a reputation for action sequences that allows viewers to expect at least three memorable, dangerous set pieces per film. Anticipation of these scenes sells the tickets. Statham, Cruise, and Chan, and Jet are the standard bearers.
This is a great way to look at the genre. For clarification, are you saying that it is purely about the quality of the action sequences themselves not the overall quality of the film?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH I think the quality of the sequence is the main qualifier. There are great movies with mediocre action sequences, and mediocre movies with great sequences, where the fans really just want action (80% of Jackie Chan's work is like this). And, I agree with you about Rocky. Fun fact: When Stallone tried to do a realistic scene, Dolph Lundgren put him in the hospital.
Agreed. Geena Davis' career in general is overlooked. However, for the purpose of this argument her iconic roles in action/adventure films are disregarded in a way that should be examined.
The fact that Uma Thurman kicks that much fucking ass in KB, and DOESN'T have a whole catalogue of action movies prior or since should make her status as "action star" that much more impressive. By far my favorite Tarantino film(s)!
The Rocky film franchise can DEFINITELY be considered an action movie franchise as it was revolutionary action during that time, with choreography that today's action cinema was built upon. Young people of the day have the privilege and benefit of infinite selection, they live in a climate where they gravitate towards the elite or most renown. While Enter the Dragon may be Bruce's more celebrated work, most experts believe his best work was done in earlier films. In addition, there is NOTHING in Kill Bill that was new, as it was a pastiche of superior work that has come before.
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH aside from Jackie Chan, Tony Jaa could be seen as a contemporary of Bruce Lee as all action created today comes from his template of acrobatic movements and powerful impactful stunt work.
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH all throughout the genre there are many amazingly talented martial arts heroes that have significantly impacted the genre. Yuen Biao, Leung Kar Yan, Bruce Li, Meng Fei, Alexander Lo, Fu Sheng, the list is long.
I do not. While she had the opportunity to portray an iconic character in "Kill Bill" she did not pursue action films in any meaningful way to make an impact, I would rank Jennifer Gardner, before I would her.
Bruce Lee is an Action Star , whose life got cut early by death . Bruce Lee’s affect is too influential to be counted out . They still make Martial live video game characters look like him, but without his name.. Even Japanese anime characters got the Bruce Lee look, but it just got away from using his name. Even kill Bill Movie she’s wearing the yellow motorbike suit with the black stripe because of Bruce Lee.. Bruce is one of the most influential action stars of all times
Agreed. Even though his films are limited, he was able to amass a collection of iconic fight scenes. When you think of BRUCE LEE is there a specific scene that comes to mind?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH 2 of them out of a few . The scene when he fought Kareem Abdul-Jabbar character. Bruce systematically defied the rule that states that a good big man beats a good little man every day. He systematically broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar character down level by level until he got him down to the ground and choked him out and broke his neck. And the first fight scene to enter the dragon where Bruce Lee unknowingly laid out the look and the fighting format for what would become the future MMA of today. 👊🏿
@@lordgodspeed1539 Agreed, the action sequence with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a signature fight scene. Since you bring up GAME OF DEATH, is it one of your favorite Bruce Lee film?
It's not the number of films that qualifies an actor as an action star. It's a question of longevity and perception. Uma Thurman is not an action star. Charlize Theron is an action star. Saying Bruce Lee is not an action star just tells me you're high on the sounds your mouth is making.
Who is YOUR favorite action hero? List your favorites below.
Good question, fellas. 'Action star', to me, means the actor has developed a reputation for action sequences that allows viewers to expect at least three memorable, dangerous set pieces per film. Anticipation of these scenes sells the tickets. Statham, Cruise, and Chan, and Jet are the standard bearers.
This is a great way to look at the genre. For clarification, are you saying that it is purely about the quality of the action sequences themselves not the overall quality of the film?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH I think the quality of the sequence is the main qualifier. There are great movies with mediocre action sequences, and mediocre movies with great sequences, where the fans really just want action (80% of Jackie Chan's work is like this). And, I agree with you about Rocky. Fun fact: When Stallone tried to do a realistic scene, Dolph Lundgren put him in the hospital.
@@clarkvaughan Can you recommend a few Jackie Chan films you consider mediocre with great action sequences?
Geena Davis was so good in "The Long Kiss Goodnight". That performance is often overlooked, but it's one of my faves. ⭐
Agreed. Geena Davis' career in general is overlooked. However, for the purpose of this argument her iconic roles in action/adventure films are disregarded in a way that should be examined.
Besides THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT (1996) and THELMA & LOUISE (1991) what other GEENA DAVIS films would you recommend?
The fact that Uma Thurman kicks that much fucking ass in KB, and DOESN'T have a whole catalogue of action movies prior or since should make her status as "action star" that much more impressive. By far my favorite Tarantino film(s)!
😳 Do you mean your favorite Tarantino action film(s)?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH I do mean that, and I do mean favorite Tarantino films et al! One of my top 5 of all time.
@@Enite What's your five?
The Rocky film franchise can DEFINITELY be considered an action movie franchise as it was revolutionary action during that time, with choreography that today's action cinema was built upon. Young people of the day have the privilege and benefit of infinite selection, they live in a climate where they gravitate towards the elite or most renown. While Enter the Dragon may be Bruce's more celebrated work, most experts believe his best work was done in earlier films. In addition, there is NOTHING in Kill Bill that was new, as it was a pastiche of superior work that has come before.
I appreciate the in-depth response. As a historian of the genre who would you consider action contemporaries of Bruce Lee?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH aside from Jackie Chan, Tony Jaa could be seen as a contemporary of Bruce Lee as all action created today comes from his template of acrobatic movements and powerful impactful stunt work.
@@RonHallKungFuBro I appreciate the insight. What about in the late 60's and 70's. Who are the actors that you would consider ACTION HEROS?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH all throughout the genre there are many amazingly talented martial arts heroes that have significantly impacted the genre. Yuen Biao, Leung Kar Yan, Bruce Li, Meng Fei, Alexander Lo, Fu Sheng, the list is long.
this is such a dumb comment why are we pretending like this...UGH
Do you consider Uma Thurman an action hero?
I do not. While she had the opportunity to portray an iconic character in "Kill Bill" she did not pursue action films in any meaningful way to make an impact, I would rank Jennifer Gardner, before I would her.
@@RonHallKungFuBro Jennifer Gardner over Uma Thurman based on their performances or simply their commitment to the action genre?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH this is an amazing subject that you touched on and I would be more than happy to come on your show to discuss it 😀
Absolutely, a "one hit wonder" is still a hit, and it's still a wonder. Doesn't matter how many times you do it, if you do it, you do it! 🔥
@@Enite love the energy! Is it insane to say UMA THURMAN is one of the best action heroes of the 2000's?
Should there be a stunt category at the Oscars?
male and female, or just one category?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH just 1 category
@@anubiisdoesthiis I would argue at minimum the “stunt coordinators” should have a category. It’s the VFX team of action.
Una Thurman was Poison Ivy in Batman, she was in the Avengers ( British based not marvel), as well as Kill Bill.
Would you consider what she did in BATMAN & ROBIN classic action?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH If the character was more like the comic I would say yes but her film role I have to say no.
@@WhitePhoenixCrown Is the British Avengers film you mentioned streaming?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH it's free on TH-cam at the moment
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH
th-cam.com/video/CcJg5h8xZR0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=SRlsde7b5nCB6X0I
I think Stallone said it himself. Rocky is a love story.
Agreed! The love story is what makes it a classic.
11:03 generally speaking the top 10 classic animes are all going to be action based.
Thank you!
Bruce Lee is an Action Star , whose life got cut early by death . Bruce Lee’s affect is too influential to be counted out . They still make Martial live video game characters look like him, but without his name.. Even Japanese anime characters got the Bruce Lee look, but it just got away from using his name. Even kill Bill Movie she’s wearing the yellow motorbike suit with the black stripe because of Bruce Lee.. Bruce is one of the most influential action stars of all times
Agreed. Even though his films are limited, he was able to amass a collection of iconic fight scenes. When you think of BRUCE LEE is there a specific scene that comes to mind?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH 2 of them out of a few . The scene when he fought Kareem Abdul-Jabbar character. Bruce systematically defied the rule that states that a good big man beats a good little man every day. He systematically broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar character down level by level until he got him down to the ground and choked him out and broke his neck.
And the first fight scene to enter the dragon where Bruce Lee unknowingly laid out the look and the fighting format for what would become the future MMA of today. 👊🏿
@@lordgodspeed1539 Agreed, the action sequence with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a signature fight scene. Since you bring up GAME OF DEATH, is it one of your favorite Bruce Lee film?
It's not the number of films that qualifies an actor as an action star. It's a question of longevity and perception. Uma Thurman is not an action star. Charlize Theron is an action star. Saying Bruce Lee is not an action star just tells me you're high on the sounds your mouth is making.
Appreciate the comment. Which Charlize Theron action films would you recommend?
@@INSOMNIAFORLUNCH Easy. Mad Max Fury Road.
Anime is action button
"... and here we go" 🃏