From Schwarzenegger space adventures to DTV entries where Dolph Lundgren saves the day,‘90scinema was pretty stacked with fallen adversaries. But there are caveats to a film’s inclusion here. Movies that include war likeBraveheartwere up for inclusion, but not something that’sstrictlya war film e.g.Saving Private Ryan. Furthermore, if it’s bugs getting shot like in Paul Verhoeven’s masterfulStarship Troopers, that didn’t count, nor did action-horror movies likeThe MummyorArmy of Darkness. These are the best of the best of ‘90saction, provided the viewer is looking for a high body count.
20Tombstone (1993) — 55
IfTombstoneisn’t thebest Western ever made, it’s by a far sight the most entertaining. Featuring one of the greatest casts ever assembled, memorable dynamics between the characters, sublime set-pieces, and even better set design,Tombstoneis a two-hour movie that feels like 20 minutes.
What’s extra impressive is there were numerous behind-the-scenes issues. And this is to the extent that, depending on whom one asks, it was Kurt Russell who directed the film, notRambo: First Blood Part II’s George P. Cosmatos. That would make sense, considering the film has far more heart than the aforementionedRamboor Cosmatos’ other Stallone adventure:Cobra. But, that’s not to say there isn’t a ton of violence because, well, there is. And, regardless of how they’re positioned in the narrative, law enforcer or criminal, they’re all played by a familiar face, which makes it hard to see them on the business end of a revolver or Winchester.
19Face/Off (1997) — 56
John Woo’sbest American film by a country mile,Face/Offis a wildly inventive and utterly unforgettable action film with style to spare. Both Nicolas Cage and, especially, John Travolta have a ball with the film, with the latter actor going down zany roads that Cage had explored to an extent, but not the way he would down the road.
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In a way, Travolta is playing Cage when he was in the direct-to-video bin for a while. Unhinged but utterly entertaining no matter what’s happening around him. Fortunately, everything that’s happening around the duo inFace/Offis infinitely superior to any DTV Nic Cage film, loaded with interesting characters (two of whom adopt the other’s personality) and dove-flying slow-mo action sequences that make John Woo the action expert he is.
18Under Siege (1992) — 65
Quite possibly the best movie Steven Seagal ever lead (out of all those Oscar winners),Under Siegealso stands as the number one film to rip off the framework and ensuing success ofDie Hard. Admittedly, Seagal is solid as former Navy SEAL turned cook aboard the now-hijacked USSMissouriCasey Ryback.
He’s stoic, he stares, he flails his fists, he does what the role requires. But, it’s Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey who steal the show as former CIA operative turned terrorist William Strannix and current Navy officer Commander Peter Krill. As the film’s two unhinged villains (among other gun-wielding, money-hungry jerks), they rack up much of the film’s body tally, but Ryback sure does his best to give them a run for their bloody money. The death of Strannix is a particular highlight.
17The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) — 68
As much aShane Black-written filmas it is a Renny Harlin-directed one,The Long Kiss Goodnightis a fun if not also crowded actioner. However, no matter how many tangents it goes down, Geena Davis devours every scene.
Why she didn’t become an action star after the 1996 film is a mystery, because as the film proves she’s incredibly adept in the genre. That said, Jackson and Harlin would team up to better effect inDeep Blue Seajust three years later.
16True Lies (1994) — 71
Not everything aboutTrue Lieshas aged well. For instance, its conveyance of female characters’ level of strength in comparison to the males', not to mention its rampant xenophobia.
But someone would be hard-pressed to call the movie anything other than wildly entertaining. What other movie has Schwarzenegger on horseback…in the middle of a crowded mall? What other film has Schwarzenegger fire off a missile…with a man attached? Not evenLast Action Herocould pull off anything that ridiculous. Though, comparatively,Last Action Herodidn’t pull off anything at all. IsTrue Liesone of James Cameron’s weakest films? Absolutely, but that’s not to say it isn’t a riot all the way through, and for those looking for Schwarzenegger taking down an entire terrorist cell, they really can’t do any better thanTrue Lies.
15Sweepers (1998) — 74
There have been quite a few straight-to-video Dolph Lundgren action films. Like the few that went to theaters, they mostly range from forgettable to awful.Sweepersskews the latter, but it’s not as if it’s a movie with neither ambition nor heart.
Lundgren portrays Christian Erikson, a former demolition expert who lost his son while disarming a mine. He’s forced himself into retirement, but finds reason to exit that when a humanitarian bomb-defusing mission is brought to his attention. Of course, things reach a boiling point when Erikson realizes the bombs he’s diffusing aren’t relics of a war, but rather fairly new.Passenger 57’s Bruce Payne puts in an antagonistic performance (per usual).
14Total Recall (1990) — 77
Paul Verhoeven’sTotal Recallis not only one ofArnold Schwarzenegger’s most beloved films, it’s flat-out one of the ’90s best both in terms of actioners and science fiction movies. And, just as it’s a thoughtful and intelligent adventure, it’s also a brutally violent one.
LikeRoboCop, there’s hardly a dull moment inTotal Recall. And, with peak Verhoeven, a high concept, villains in Ronny Cox and Michael Ironside, and Arnold in the lead role, how could it not be?Total Recallis a blast, just avoid the soulless remake.
13Desperado (1995) — 80
If there’s any Robert Rodriguez movie that just absolutely screams Robert Rodriguez, it’s hisDesperado, which effectively serves as both a sequel and reimagining of his debut,El Mariachi. IsEl Mariachia better film? In a way, and really in the ways that count, but dang ifDesperadoisn’t a lot more fun and a lot less somber.
Furthermore, Antonio Banderas makes for a better leading performer, and he’s entirely in his element as a vengeance-seeking mariachi with a brother complex. Toss in amazing chemistry between Banderas and fellow Rodriguez favorite Salma Hayek andDesperadois one of his best films. Not to mention, Steve Buscemi is perfect in his limited role, making every minute of his screen time count.
12Fifth Element (1997) — 80
Plenty of species pass away in Luc Besson’sThe Fifth Element, but unlike the space bugs inStarship Troopers, they’re all essentially humanoid and count. All in all, 80 people are killed in Besson’s film, mostly at the hands of Gary Oldman’s wretched Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg.
Considered by many to be one of thebest sci-fi movies of the past 25 years,The Fifth Elementalso features one of Bruce Willis' best performances of the decade. He has a lot of fun as Korben Dallas and, yes, that involves firing a gun or two.
11Delta Force 2 (1990) — 92
A sequel to the Chuck Norris and Lee Marvin-ledThe Delta Force(Marvin’s last film),Delta Force 2is a mostly-bland actioner that sees Norris reprise his role of Major Scott McCoy. This time he travels to South America in an attempt to cease shipments of cocaine from entering the U.S.
The firstDelta Forcefilm wasn’t high art, but it had more energy and a stronger script, not to mention the gravitas of Marvin, which never stopped short of blowing Norris' subdued performance style out of the water.Delta Force 2has none of these things, and really it existsonly for Norris completionists.
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