Rambo Comparison: First Blood (1982) vs First Blood Part II (1985)

By
Derek Kennamer
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Rambo Comparison

Completely Different yet Equally Awesome!

Much like arguing whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie (here’s categorical proof that it is!) or trying to decipher who shot first between Han or Greedo, deciding the best of the Sylvester Stallone Rambo flicks is one of life’s great debates.

First Blood (1982) is a stripped-down action thriller (with virtually no body count) about an unassuming Vietnam vet coming home to a country that doesn’t want him. The other – Rambo: First Blood Part II – a full-fledged action blockbuster, puts said veteran back in the jungles of Vietnam and multiplies the body count by 75 (literally).

The good news is we don’t have to decide which is best. But the question remains: How can two movies connected only by titular character be completely different yet equally awesome?

The Origins of Stallone’s Rambo Franchise and its ‘First Blood’

First Blood: No Sympathy for the Devil

In First Blood we sympathize with John Rambo almost immediately. Soon after the opening credits, we realize that the friend he was traveling to see has died (something we can all relate to).

In the very next sequence, we see John harassed by local law enforcement simply because he was a drifter passing through town (being a Vietnam vet probably didn’t help). While most of us didn’t serve in Vietnam and experience the backlash of returning home from said war, we certainly know what it’s like to feel unwanted/unwelcome. The amount of disdain one might have for the town sheriff, Teasle, and his main goon, Galt, could never quite be enough.

Add in flashbacks of Rambo’s traumatic experience as a prisoner of war, surviving the elements (including LOTS of rats), and fighting off the entire sheriff’s department (all for wanting to get a hot meal), and it’s no surprise that we spend the entirety of the movie rooting for Rambo.

Rambo (2008): The Most Excessive and Violent Action Sequel Ever

The Return of Rambo (aka Rambo’s Revenge)

By the second entry of the franchise, Rambo: First Blood Part II, John Rambo needs no introduction and we certainly don’t need any more reasons to root for him. However, for our viewing pleasure, he does need a reason to be released from prison after the mess he made in the first film.

Enter Murdock and his top secret mission to take pictures of U.S. POWs in Vietnamese camps to assist in their eventual “rescue.” While tugging on John’s heart strings, and practically dangling the keys to freedom in his face, Murdock uses John to further his own agenda with no intention of keeping his word (unbeknownst to John of course). I’ll see your Teasle and raise you a Murdock.

Soon after, John is pitted against an entire Vietnamese army (and a few Russians) that he must escape and dispose of, all while unintentionally falling in love, losing said love interest, and rescuing the previously mentioned POWs.

It’s safe to assume that, no matter the conflict (or movie), Rambo will always have our best interest at heart if for no other reason than he’s been through so damn much.

Check it: Here are the Rambo movies ranked!

Survival vs. Excessive Force

First Blood showcases Rambo’s training and survival tactics throughout. While he systematically takes out each of Teasle’s deputies, impressively, only one person dies (indirectly) by the hands of Rambo. One can argue that he doesn’t technically kill Galt, but he did cause him to fall out of the helicopter.

Then again, Galt unbuckled his harness that kept him safely inside the helicopter… Either way, only ONE fatality in a movie about an ex Green Beret Vietnam vet being “pushed” beyond his limit is practically a miracle. (P.S. That knife is awesome.)

Part II, on the other hand, is a textbook 80’s action classic with enough bullets, bombs, and bodies to make Andy Sidaris rethink his filmmaking strategy. From the iconic knife to the trademark red bandana to the classic bow and arrow, this is the definitive Rambo flick.

When one thinks of Rambo, the image in their mind comes from Rambo: First Blood Part II. You can also thank this film for creating what we action aficionados call the “gear up” montage.

Get in Shape with Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Rambo’ Training Regimen!

But Which is More Ultimate?

While it may seem clear which film I prefer, it actually depends on my mood. Both offer something unique in terms of payoff. If you want a good story with character development and lots of excitement (and guns), then First Blood is the one for you.

If you want an action spectacle with lots of guns, explosions, killing, muscles, and 80’s machismo then look no further than Rambo: First Blood Part II.

Note: Rambo ends each film toting an M60 in one arm so there is no wrong answer. Everybody wins.

Let’s Acknowledge the Insanely Ultimate Cast of ‘Hollow Point’ (1996)

By
Andrew Babcock
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Thomas Ian Griffith, Tia Carrere, John Lithgow and Donald Sutherland – yes please!

What do you get when you combine Thomas Ian Griffith as a DEA agent, Tia Carrere as an FBI agent, John Lithgow as a powerful criminal and Donald Sutherland as an assassin? You get Hollow Point, possibly the most criminally underrated action comedy of the 90’s…

I repeat – this is not a drill Ultimate Action Movie Club readers – you read that right, this actually might not just be the most underrated action comedy of the 90s, but perhaps the most overlooked action comedy of all time!

Hollow Point (1996)

Things start off with a bang – Tia Carrere is apparently about to be a newlywed, but we soon find out that her soon to be ‘husband’ is a mobster and she was undercover to take down the guy’s father who was in hiding, but attended the wedding. She pulls out a gun right before the I do’s and the movie doesn’t let up from there.

The storyline centers around Lithgow’s rich and powerful criminal character trying to merge Russian, Italian and Chinese gangsters into one group. Both Griffith and Carrere inevitably crossing paths to take everyone down. They make a great duo, Griffith trying to use his charms throughout the film to court her, mostly unsuccessfully. But you have to give him an “A” for effort.

Thomas Ian Griffith Deserves our Ultimate Respect for ‘Excessive Force’

Thomas Ian Griffith and Tia Carrere

Let me just say I have always been a huge fan of Carrere, admittedly one of my crushes growing up – she is not only beautiful, she really can do it all. From Showdown In Little Tokyo to True Lies, it was a treat to see her get to lead a film. As for Thomas Ian Griffith, how was this guy not huge? From playing the villain in Karate Kid III, to kicking all kinds of ass in Excessive Force, you could say Hollow Point is his tour de force. He shows here he can deliver the comedic lines and humor just as well as kicking someone in the face. 

For instance, he says to a guy…

“You ever see the movie Billy Jack? Well I am going to whoop you in the face with my left foot and there’s nothing you can do about it!”

There is also a scene during the finale where he makes multiple attempts to get in a warehouse that had me laughing out loud. There are a lot of humorous moments throughout as Griffith and Carrere try to work together.

There wasn’t as much martial arts action as Excessive Force, but if you are watching Hollow Point for that, he still has plenty of moments to show off. As does Carrere who hangs with the boys very well in that department too.

“Action has a new name!” A Review of Excessive Force (1993)

John Lithgow and Donald Sutherland

Lithgow is an actor who can do anything and from his prior roles like Cliffhanger, he has the slick bad guy persona down pat. But the real scene stealer of the movie was Donald Sutherland, a burned out hitman who is initially hired to go after Carrere and people close to her.

As the film goes, we go from him being chased down to them making him help out. Sutherland is hilarious with personality for days. The writing and dialog for all the characters is so well done and before you know it, 102 minutes is over.

Everything about Hollow Point just works, a film that is so self aware, that it is refreshing. memorable characters, shootouts, fights, humor and a standoff of an ending complete with hidden motivations and someone getting crushed by a freight container.

Why it isn’t more well known is beyond me. But that’s what I am here for and that’s why sites like these exist. Go track down Hollow Point, you’re welcome.

Rambo (2008): The Most Excessive and Violent Action Sequel Ever

By
Dominic Hastings
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“Fuck the world.” – John Rambo, Rambo IV

When Sylvester Stallone revived the Rocky franchise with Rocky Balboa in 2006, questions were then asked of Rambo. What happened? Two years later, Stallone returned as John Rambo in Rambo (Why not Rambo IV?), for what would be one of the most excessive and violent action sequels ever.

Violence comes naturally with the action genre – it’s a key component, after all. When an action film’s violence is severely limited, questions are asked as to whether said film is an action film at all.

On the other end of the spectrum, however, excessive violence – depending on presentation and context – can exceed beyond existing as an action film, and instead, heads in the direction of being something much darker.

The Origins of Stallone’s Rambo Franchise and its ‘First Blood’

The Darkest Rambo Movie

The violence present in the previous and more action oriented, Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rambo III, is cartoonish and contextually appropriate of its time. Released in 1985 and 1988 respectively, they were produced in an era boasting the machine gun likes of Commando, Predator and Die Hard – classic, cheesy, cartoon action.

And we love it. But the violence wasn’t distasteful or obscenely graphic. None of those mentioned are renowned for their respective excessive violence, if any. Instead, they are more renowned for iconic one-liners.

Check it: Here are the Rambo movies ranked!

To summarise Rambo… Whilst living in Thailand, collecting snakes to sell to performers, John Rambo has aged and is a massive grump, essentially. Begged by a team of missionaries to be taken into genocidal Burma, Rambo initially denies his services, but ultimately takes them up river anyway.

Of course, chaos ensues and the missionaries are taken captive by an infantry unit of the former SPDC of Burma. Amid blood, sweat, bullets and ripped throats, Rambo subsequently takes a team of mercenaries up river, later assisting them on their mission.

Rambo: A Love Letter to Sylvester Stallone’s ‘First Blood’

Rambo Actually Experiencing the Horrors of War

Perhaps the violence within Rambo stands out quite significantly, not solely a result of quantity, but who in fact is getting killed. Long before Rambo goes batshit mental on the baddies, viewers are subject to the killing of over 100 innocent people – unprecedented in the franchise. Never forget: just the one death in First Blood, and that wasn’t Rambo’s fault.

To make things worse with these excessive number of killings in Rambo, however, is the manner of execution and editing of the footage. Children shot in the chest… Countless landmines… Heads shot away… Segments of the trauma appear to be shown within a fast frame rate too, therefore minimising a slow-mo cheesefest, and instead, replacing it with pacy intensity. Ironically, there are also slow-mo sequences during the slaughter of villagers.   

Now onto the deaths enforced by Rambo, wow… It seems that the older the character gets, the edgier in vengeance he becomes. From the likes of shooting pirates point blank in the head to RIPPING A THROAT OUT, this representation of Rambo just doesn’t sit right with the previous appearances. Rambo in Rambo is almost a dystopian version of the character. The tactical occurrence of setting fire to and destroying a pirate boat from the night before is another example of craziness produced by Rambo.

If anything, taking the 20 year gap into consideration also, maybe the mindset of Rambo has deteriorated so severely – which looks to be the case – he has genuinely lost the remains of a clearly mutilated moral compass.

Interview: Sheldon Lettich on Bloodsport, Van Damme and Stallone

Re-shaping the Rambo Ultimate Legacy

Ultimately, Is the excessive violence a key component in Rambo’s separation from the previous three films? Of course, the almost-twenty-year gap between the third and fourth instalments of the franchise does explain a lot, but still, there is an ambiance of distance, also present with the likes of Sudden Impact and The Dead Pool with the original trilogy of Dirty Harry films – obviously for other reasons, of course.

There is a consistent notion though, that excessive violence is the first thing to be associated with Rambo. Though that is the immediate association with the fourth film, is it now the general association with the Rambo franchise in general? Generally, Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rambo III are violent, but not excessive nor gory. The one in sufferance from franchise reputation, again, is First Blood.

Article by Dom “I Watched an Action Movie on my Wedding Night” Hastings, check out his personal blog DomonFilm here.

What are your thoughts on Rambo (2008)? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!

The Origins of Stallone’s Rambo Franchise and its ‘First Blood’

By
Ian Young
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The story of how ‘First Blood’ went from a novelized script in production hell, to a mega-blockbuster action franchise!

It seems almost unbelievable that we are less than a week away from witnessing the next chapter in the life of John Rambo.

What started with First Blood (1982) has gone on to become one of the most enduring and important ultimate action movie franchises of a whole generation so it’s high time to return to the origins of this legendary property.

Last Blood: Stallone’s John Rambo Returns to his Western Roots

Rambo’s Novel Beginnings

Rambo, no John at this point, begins life as the protagonist of the novel First Blood (1972) by author David Morrell. Morrell has written 28 Novels, including the novelizations for First Blood part 2 and Rambo 3 as well as the awesome Captain America comic mini series, the Chosen, in 2008.

First Blood is a fantastic novel and on reading it becomes very clear that it contains the source material for action movie gold. Hollywood agreed and snapped up the rights.

The 10 Best Sylvester Stallone Ultimate Action Movies!

There is a Special Circle in Hell for those in Pre-Production!

The world of pre production in the Hollywood system is often a strange parallel universe of what might of been. The producers of First Blood originally wanted Steve McQueen for Rambo and two legends of the screen, Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall turned down the role of the sheriff.

Kirk Douglas was initially hired to play Colonel Trautman. He stepped away from the project and was replaced by Rock Hudson who had to leave due to heart surgery and so the role was eventually given to Richard Crenna who gave a career defining performance.

Check it: Here are the Rambo movies ranked!

Casting wasn’t the only pre-production issue at play when getting First Blood to the screen. The film went through a number of rewrites after the rights were bought.

It wasn’t until Stallone came on board with the screenwriting excellence that he demonstrated in Rocky that elements of the movie, now considered legendary, such John not directly being responsible for any of the deaths in the movie and Rambo surviving at the end of the movie came into being. Stallone really did work diligently on the script, producing seven drafts.

What Ever Happened to the Planned Rambo TV Series?

You thought the pre-production was tough?!

Disasters in filming and post production led to the film almost never seeing the light of day. Half of the weaponry that was used in the production was stolen during filming.

When a rough-cut, that could have been as long as 3 hours and 30 mins, was shown to Stallone it almost lead to him buying the print and having it destroyed. Stallone himself oversaw the very heavy editing that saw the film cut down to 93 mins.

Despite this struggle the film caught the popular imagination and gave rise to a massive franchise encompassing all kinds of media. This led to a whole community of collectors of Rocky memorabilia and the movies have, at the time of writing, grossed 727 million dollars.

Remembering ‘Missing in Action 2’ Star John Wesley

By
Jack Beresford
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The sad passing of actor and ultimate action hero John Wesley was confirmed this week.

A Vietnam war veteran of some distinction, John Wesley passed away aged 72 following a long battle with multiple myeloma.

He left behind a career to be proud of, with many fans remembering him for his work on sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

A Diverse Filmography

Wesley appeared in one episode of the Will Smith-led series, playing Dr. Hoover, the father of a school bully harassing Will’s cousin.

With 120 acting credits to his name, Wesley’s family have plenty to look back fondly on, but it was his work in the world of action cinema that is being celebrated here.

On Screen with Stallone and Chuck

While Wesley would probably rather forget appearing in the misguided mum and cop comedy thriller Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot! The role gave him a unique chance to work alongside Sylvester Stallone.

However, arguably his finest action movie turn came alongside Chuck Norris in the excellent Missing In Action 2: The Beginning.

In Missing in Action 2: The Beginning

A prequel to the original Cannon Films classic, Wesley played Franklin, a POW alongside Norris’ Colonel James Braddock.

A fellow prisoner in the North Vietnamese POW camp run by the sadistic Colonel Yin (Soon-Teck Oh) Franklin is among those forced to grow opium for a French drug runner named François (Pierre Issot).

It’s Franklin who ends up playing a pivotal role in proceedings too.

After Franklin contracts malaria, Braddock strikes a deal that sees him happily admit to a string of war crimes in exchange for medicine to treat the problem.

General Lin reneges on the deal though, giving Franklin a lethal dose of poison that puts Braddock on a course for martial arts-based vengeance.

Both Francois and General Lin get their comeuppance, as you would expect.

It could be argued that Wesley’s character provides the inspiration for the Missing In Action franchise as a whole.

For an acting with an impressive and wide-ranging CV, that’s not a bad legacy to have.

R.I.P. John.

Bruce Willis and Scott Adkins to Join Forces for ‘Run of the Hitman’

By
Jourdan Aldredge
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If this isn’t one of the most ultimate team-ups of all time, we don’t know what is!

Man this sounds awesome! We have Bruce Willis and Scott Adkins. Two of the greatest ultimate action movie stars of all time. Who come from different generations. But still both definitely kick ass. As far as ultimate tag-teams go, you couldn’t ask for a better action duo to join forces.

This new upcoming thriller is set to be titled Run of the Hitman (or alternatively titled Grey Justice perhaps?) and will star Willis and Adkins – as well as Inglourious Basterds standout Til Schweiger who played Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz.

Here’s everything we know so far…

Top 10 Scott Adkins Action Movies

Bruce Willis as Colonel Walker

At least according to a single page website posted by the global sales and production company “Pacific Film Trade”, we have a top billing for Willis as a character named “Colonel Walker”.

We also have this brief description of the film’s plot.

When a hitman loses his daughter after being abandoned by his country he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.

RUN OF THE HITMAN is a smart action film similar to classics of the genre like The Professional and The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Bruce Willis is Back for ‘Die Hard’ Prequel – ‘McClane’

Scott Adkins as Ziker

Best Scott Adkins Movies Close Range

Below Willis (and even below Schweiger), we have Scott Adkins listed as a character named Ziker. No word on who between Willis or Adkins would be “the hitman” in the description above, but it actually sounds more like this might be a single good guy vs. single bad guy scenario pitting Willis and Adkins against each other perhaps…

Til Schweiger’s character is listed as “Serpa” but with a conditional “TBC” by it, so that may be subject to change.

Savage Dog: An Awesome Revival of Cannon Style Badassness

Directed Stephen C. Sepher

The only other big tell for what the movie might be like (besides the tagline and the two films they claim it will be influenced by) is the director and producer names. Stephen C. Sepher has some solid action credits to his name already with Heist and Dead On Arrival.

Although, producer Steven Stabler seems to be best known for comedies like Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin and Beverly Hills Ninja.

The IMDB page for the film also lists a writer (Billy Jay) and another character role for Christopher Rob Bowen.

We’ll keep you posted as more details come available. But rest assured, if this can make it through production – it should be a truly ultimate combo on screen together. High hopes for it!

The Fanatic: John Travolta Deserves Some Ultimate Recognition

By
Iron Fist
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Fred Durst’s ‘The Fanatic‘ might not be a critical hit, but it does feature John Travolta at his best!

I may be the only person on the internet that is giving The Fanatic (now on VOD) a positive review. The end of this article may explain why I am so biased for it. It currently sits at 18% on Rotten Tomatoes and is being savaged by critics.

I’ll say this about it. John Travolta acts his ass off in it and it’s told with a visual flair by its director Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit fame, based on an incident from his life.

John Travolta as Moose

John Travolta stars as Moose, a man child on the autistic spectrum who loves movies and the people who star in them. He tools around Hollywood on a Vespa and dresses up as an English policeman to support himself and his hobby of collecting autographs and movie memorabilia. It turns out Moose’s favorite actor of all time is one Hunter Dunbar (played by Devon Sawa) and he is coming to do a book signing.

So Moose spends all of his money on a vest worn in one of the movies in hopes of getting it signed and shows up at the appointed night to meet his hero. Turns out Mr. Dunbar is not having a particularly good night and cuts the signing short. After a nasty confrontation where neither man was at their best, Moose’s obsession to have his prop signed is triggered as the true fan becomes a stalker.

A Familiar Story in Hollywood

The story of a fan that becomes fanatical has been told numerous times. Check out our man Michael Behn in his first starring role in 1981s The Fan. Or Wesley Snipes and Robert DeNiro in 1996’s The Fan. Or the gold standard of Kathy Bates in Steven King’s Misery from 1990.

We the viewer have sympathy for both characters. We feel a little sorry for Moose and his existence in the seedier side of LA. When Dunbar reacts the way that he does to this obsessed fan, we understand his point of view. From merely wanting a picture and autograph, Moose shows up an Dunbar’s home, trespassing inside of his house , accidentally kills the maid and the final act ends with Dunbar drugged and tied to a bed as Moose acts out scenes from his favorite movies.

Why the Harsh Reviews for ‘The Fanatic’?

I think what is turning everybody off about this movie is it’s brutal resolution to two characters we have come to care about. Moose is not evil but is a byproduct of the spectrum disorder he suffers from and truly doesn’t understand his actions or the consequences of them. Dunbar is a father whose also a celebrity that is concerned about the safety of his son. Hence, the collision course that these two characters are on.

I also think that all this talk about this movie being another nail in the career of John Travolta is premature. Look at all the stars of the 1980s – Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Cage – their output has been widely uneven in recent years. But Travolta? This is the man who did Pulp Fiction, Broken Arrow, Face/Off, Swordfish, From Paris With Love, The Generals Daughter and that’s just in the action genre.

If you still don’t think he’s got what it takes, check him out in the criminally under rated Killing Season from 2013 or the eminently watchable I Am Wraith from 2016. This man is due for another career resurgence and with his new badass shaved head look, I predict it will be in an action movie!

John Travolta is Great with Grandmas

Now, onto why my review may be a little biased. I recently met Mr. Travolta at Wizard World Chicago this past month. I also took my 86 year old mother who recently had a stroke and is confined to a wheelchair along to meet him. He has been her favorite movie star since the days of Grease and Saturday Night Fever in the late 1970s. When Mr. Travolta set eyes on her, he lit up. He greeted my mother with “Hello Beautiful” and “Thank you for coming to see me”.

He helped her out of her wheelchair and held her hand and supported her by the waist as he talked to her the entire time. My mom was so star struck she forgot she was having her picture taken. Mr. Travolta then helped her back into her chair and told her “I love you” as he waived goodby to us. Mr. Travolta graciousness made a lifetime memory for my mom.

John Travolta is a true movie star in my eyes and for that, I will always be a fan of The Fanatic!

Final Wave of Action Films Announced for Fantastic Fest 2019

By
Ultimate Action Movies
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Following up the first and second waves, we know have a final list of recommended action movies for Fantastic Fest ’19

So, along with a world premiere of Knives Out, this year’s Fantastic Fest is looking pretty solid for action. The festival – which is celebrating its 15th year – has seen the likes of world premieres for recent modern action hits like John Wick, Machete Kills, Red Dawn, Zombieland and Bad Times at the El Royale.

Pulling from a diverse group of international filmmakers, here are the final wave (mostly) action films. If you’re interested in attending the festival in Austin, Texas, tickets can be purchased here.

I LOST MY BODY

France, 2019
US Premiere, 82 min
Director – Jérémy Clapin
A severed hand escapes from a laboratory and sets off on a series of adventures across Paris, determined to find its owner.

JALLIKATTU

India, 2019
US Premiere, 91 min
Director – Lijo Jose Pellissery
The line between man and beast dissolves when a buffalo escapes slaughter in a sleepy South Indian village, leaving a trail of chaos and explosive machismo in its wake. It’s a landlocked JAWS, a bestial 2001, and a contemporary MAD MAX: FURY ROAD all rolled into one.

NIGHT DRIVE

USA, 2019
World Premiere, 82 min
Directors – Meghan Leon & Bradford Baruh
When Russell picks up an enigmatic young woman through a ride-share app, his boring evening perks up. But all bets are off after they hit a guy with the car in this charming comedy of errors.

RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE

Canada, 2019
World Premiere, 80 min
Director – Jay Baruchel
A comic book writer visits the town where a serial killer previously wreaked havoc, only to encounter a new series of murders that strangely mirror the deaths he created in his comics.

WE SUMMON THE DARKNESS

USA, 2019
World Premiere, 90 min
Director – Marc Meyers
When Val, Beverly, and Alexis meet a group of fun-loving dudes in the parking lot of a heavy metal concert, they all decide to have an after-party, but it isn’t long before the group finds themselves fighting for their lives.

Top 10 Scott Adkins Action Movies

By
Robb Antequera
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Best Scott Adkins Movies

Ranking the most ultimate action films of the great Scott Adkins!

Best Scott Adkins Movies
Think you can kick these best Scott Adkins picks harder than this?

At this point in his career, Scott Adkins should be considered an action movie titan. The man has held down the action genre like no other has for almost 15 years. In my opinion, as a martial arts film / action movie performer, he has done enough so far throughout his career to have him sitting at the table with the likes of Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Sho Kosugi and so on…

And he damn sure has the resume to back that claim up. Don’t believe me? Well, let me draw up a few examples for you. 

And if you’re looking for more Top 10 Lists to read up on (or argue about with your friends later), here are some more official Ultimate Action Movie Club rankings to check out:

The Top 100 Ultimate Action Movies of All Time

Here are the Top 10 Ultimate Scott Adkins Action Movies!

Scott Adkins Boyka Undisputed

But before I get into it, let me list some of the honorable mentions. Movies of Scott Adkins that are just as great as the ones on the list, but just couldn’t find a place to fit in:

This list also does not include any selections where Scott is not a main (or at least major character) in the story. It also does not include any of his television appearances. Will also note that if you have any opinions on what your picks for Top 10 would be, please leave them in the comments below!

Now, let’s get to the goods.

10) Hard Target 2 (2016)

Best Scott Adkins Movies

While not the action masterpiece the original was, Hard Target 2 contains enough great action, gorgeous cinematography, and awesome stunts (performed in very obvious large majority by Scott himself) to stand out on its own as a great Adkins action flick.

Full UAMC Review | Buy Hard Target 2 Online

9) Close Range (2015)

Best Scott Adkins Movies Close Range

Adkins & master of action Isaac Florentine re-team to give us an action packed modern day western filled with the usual assortment of excellent fight choreography and stunts, plus with added awesome firefights, making this another winner in their already amazing filmography.

Buy Close Range Online Here

8) Accident Man (2018)

While his appearance in a major comic book movie (Doctor Strange in case you were wondering) was minute to say the least, it all worked out in the end, since obviously the action gods were saving him for a way better comic book character: Mike Fallon, the Accident Man.

And with all the amazing action involved, guided by the direction of Jesse V. Johnson and the choreography of Tim Man, this is surely better than 10 Doctor Strange movies.

Full UAMC Review | Buy Accident Man Online

7) Undisputed 2 (2006)

Best Scott Adkins Movies Undisputed 2

The one that started it all. The one that endeared him to action fans around the world. The debut of one of the most awesome action movie characters in recent memory, Yuri Boyka. Scott & Isaac would start a path here with this new age action classic that will see them become instant action movie legends.

Buy Undisputed 2 Online Here

6) Triple Threat (2019)

While Triple Threat is without a doubt the martial arts version of Avengers: Endgame, Scott, playing the special forces antagonist in this one, sadly only has one fight in this movie. (But we do get some amazing bouts from  Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Michael Jai White, and Michael Bisping.)

But his deliciously devilish performance, extreme prowess with a gun in the shootout sequences, great stunts and his one fight easily being the best fight in a movie filled to the brim with incredibly marvelous ones, make Triple Threat’s inclusion on the list hard to argue.

Full UAMC Review | Buy Triple Threat Online

The Top 10 Ultimate Michael Jai White Action Movies

5) Avengement (2019)

The finest performance of Scott’s career by far, mixed in with blazingly brutal, non stop action scenes make this not only one of the best action movies of this year, but also one of the best movies of Scott’s career. You can’t go wrong with the true Adkins ultimate classic Avengement.

Full UAMC Review | Buy Avengement Online

10 Ultimate Reasons to Watch Scott Adkins’ ‘Avengement’

4) Undisputed 3 (2010)

Best Scott Adkins Movies Undisputed 3

As a follow up to Undisputed 2 (and stronger than the fourth installment), Undisputed III: Redemption manages to surpass its predecessor in every way with a tremendous lead performance from Scott, rich supporting cast, great story and some downright awe inspiring fight scenes.

Buy Undisputed 3 Online Here

3) Savage Dog (2017)

Jesse Johnson’s ode to Joseph Conrad, Savage Dog plays like the ultimate Michael Dudikoff/Cannon Group movie that they never made. Unforgiving story mixed with brutal & gory action, and a fierce, at times almost scary, lead performance from Scott make this the darkest movie on this list. But it’s legit great.

Full UAMC Review | Buy Savage Dog Online

2) Boyka: Undisputed (2016)

Boyka Undisputed Scott Adkins 2016

Scott’s finest hour in the role that made him an icon of the genre. Coupled with the best action scenes of the series, a stupendous performance from Scott, and a staggering but beautifully heartfelt arc for the character of Boyka, Boyka: Undisputed is the pinnacle of the franchise that keeps getting better with every entry.

Full UAMC Review | Buy Boyka: Undisputed Online

1) Ninja 2: Shadow of a Tear (2013)

As flawless an action masterpiece as they come. In my opinion, not only the best movie Scott & Isaac have made so far, not only one of the best action movies of this past decade, but simply one of the best action movies ever made, bar none. The action genre does not get much better than Ninja: Shadow of a Tear.

Full UAMC Review | Buy Ninja 2 Online

And that’s the top 10. But these are just the picks of one. What are your top 10 Adkins flicks? I would love to hear them. Because we’re all followers in The Church of Adkins, so let’s all join together to preach his word… 

In Scott We Trust.

VHS Vault: Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)

By
Andrew Babcock
-

Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson forever!

“Better to be dead and cool than alive and uncool” – Just one of the many classic lines that make Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man one of the most underrated of the buddy/action/comedy genre.

The story follows longtime friends played by Mickey Rourke (Harley Davidson) and Don Johnson (Marlboro Man) who reunite after quite some time. They end up trying to save the foreclosure of a friend’s bar by robbing a bank’s armored car. Only to discover that its content is not money, but a new street drug.

A True Ultimate Classic

This movie has everything going for it, playing out like a modern western. The buddy chemistry between Rourke and Johnson is what fuels it, while seeing so many familiar faces along the way makes it so much fun.

The rest of the all-star cast includes Vanessa Williams, Tia Carrere, Chelsea Field, Giancarlo Esposito, Kelly Hu and Robert Ginty. The bad guys are played perfectly by Tom Sizemore and a kevlar trenchcoat wearing Daniel Baldwin.

Bar Fights and Motorcycle Chases

Whatever you are looking for in an action comedy, this movie has it. When I say comedy, it doesn’t feel overdone or spoil the action that ensues. When you have bar fights with wrestling star Big John Studd and Branscombe Richmond in the first half hour, you know you’re in the middle of the kind of classic style movie they just don’t make anymore.

Motorcycle chases, falls from windows/rooftops onto cars AND pools, not to mention a particularly awesome shootout in an abandoned airfield are just a couple more highlights.

The Greatest Action Soundtrack Ever?

What seals the deal for me is the killer rock n roll soundtrack, provided by the likes of Bon Jovi, LA Guns, Steve Marriott/Peter Frampton, Blackeyed Susan, Roadhouse, Shooting Gallery and The Screaming Jets. Even Vanessa Williams and Waylon Jennings provide songs as well.

Definitely recommended if you like your movies and your ass kickin, old school.

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