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The Best Action Movies of 2019

The best action movies of 2019 come from Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, the UK, and the USA.
Rewind Action Movies
By  · Published on December 24th, 2019

5. Gemini Man

Gemini Man

Ang Lee’s latest experimental feature didn’t quite catch the audience’s attention, and that’s too bad as it’s a simple story told with technical precision and legit thrills. An aging hitman faces off against a clone of his younger self, there’s some hokey dialogue, and the high frame rate can sometimes be distracting, but when it comes to the action the film absolutely delivers. A shoot out turns into an epic motorcycle chase, fights are sharp as hell in their details, and a later gunfight is just as immersive an experience as you’ve ever seen. Of course, that’s in 60fps, so the caveat here is that I don’t know how well it translates to regular HD (and 24fps), but even beyond that aspect the action is framed, executed, and captured with high energy and impact. It’s a lot of fun, and Will Smith does a terrific job as a dangerous man facing mortality.


4. 1917 (UK)

Universal Pictures

It’s been four years, but Sam Mendes return to theaters after 2015’s Spectre is nothing short of a massive accomplishment and true spectacle. Not only is it a World War I film, a war that rarely gets big movies these days, but Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins deliver it through a “single” tracking shot — it’s actually seven or so held together with hidden cuts — following two young soldiers on a desperate mission. It’s gorgeous, harrowing, and utterly thrilling with action beats as diverse as shoot outs, sniper attacks, near-drownings, a plane crash, and more. The film keeps viewers on edge as we can’t help but feel like we’re on this dangerous journey too. It doesn’t hurt that Deakins makes it all look so beautiful even as the tension and terror are on the rise.


3. Avengement (UK)

Avengement

Scott Adkins continues to be a one-man army when it comes to churning out terrifically entertaining, low budget action movies, but a film’s director still goes a long way in capturing the best Adkins has to offer. Jesse V. Johnson is his most consistent partner in crime in that regard thanks to fun flicks like Accident Man (2018) and The Debt Collector (2018) — both of which are getting sequels in the near future. Their latest pairing is their best so far and casts Adkins as a hard-ass prison escapee on a weekend mission of vengeance. It delivers wit and laughs, some solid character work, and a great main music theme, but the film’s big draw is a healthy amount of beautiful and mean-spirited fight action. Adkins’ antihero is a bastard, but lucky for us the people he’s taking down are far, far worse.


2. Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (Hong Kong)

Master Z

Donnie Yen’s and Wilson Yip’s Ip Man franchise is already an all-timer — this year’s part four made the cut above — but this unexpected spin-off shows what’s possible with a character no one expected to see again. Jin Zhang returns, but his minor villain from Ip Man 3 is now a man learning to live with his defeat making for a compelling lead who’s also no slouch when it comes to his fighting skills. The film spices things up further with fun appearances by Michelle Yeoh, Dave Bautista, and Tony Jaa, and it offers an unlikely arc of redemption in the form of a kick-ass action movie.


1. John Wick: Chapter Three

John Wick Halle Berry

This third entry in the popular action franchise opened early in 2019, but it was pretty much guaranteed a spot on this year’s list. It’s a new John Wick movie. Star Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski once again up the ante when it comes carnage, mayhem, beautiful visuals, and narrative world-building, and it’s another glorious sight to behold. Guns, cars, fists, and feet are still the weapons of choice, but this time the dogs finally get some revenge too as the film adds in some strikingly choreographed canine action as well. Here’s hoping this franchise continues until we’re all dead.

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Rob Hunter has been writing for Film School Rejects since before you were born, which is weird seeing as he's so damn young. He's our Chief Film Critic and Associate Editor and lists 'Broadcast News' as his favorite film of all time. Feel free to say hi if you see him on Twitter @FakeRobHunter.