Best of 2018 - Best Action Sequence
We could go through this whole year with just entries from Mission Impossible: Fallout, let's be honest. Nothing in this category really comes to close to that for pure thrills. That being said, mainstream cinema delivered some fantastic action this year, both in terms of intensity and visual storytelling. I clearly need to see more independent action, as this is probably the most conventional lineup of films I have on this whole retrospective, but hey, when it's good it's good.
Mission Impossible: Fallout - Bathroom fight
This scene became famous well before the film's actual release, thanks to that hugely entertaining shot of Henry Cavill reloading his fists. It's absurd, but this film has the moxie to pull it off. Everything in this film is dialed to 110%. What sets this scene apart from so many other breathtaking action setpieces, apart from the excellent fight choreography, is the very dark humor, peppered throughout in perfect intervals. It adds just the right amount of levity without breaking the tension. It's masterfully crafted.
Watch here.
Black Panther - Korea car chase
Black Panther's action soars most when it takes its cues from James Bond. With science genius Shuri taking the M role to the next level, the film's most enjoyable action sequence comes when she remotely drives a prototype car to aid her brother in his mission in South Korea. It's tons of fun, not only due to the creative premise, but Shuri's joy at taking the wheel, and her banter with big brother T'Challa as he tests the limits of his own power. The Kendrick Lamar tunes in the background don't hurt either.
Watch here.
Avengers: Infinity War - Avengers V Thanos
A fight 10 years in the making, this epic battle lives up to its promise and was appropriately devastating. The Avengers still on earth really give it their all in their last stand against Thanos. But I think by now we all know that it's not quite enough. The actors and the score give it the necessary gravitas. Seeing it in the theaters is probably seared into my brain forever now. Don't watch a clip of this one - it needs to be seen in context.
Widows - opening heist
This movie peaks early. Steve McQueen brings his astute eye for character building to action in this 5-minute opening scene which brilliantly establishes the backstory of almost a dozen characters while still being exciting and tense. The camera work of the actual heist is fast paced and immediate, and the cuts to the domestic life of the characters adds to the tension instead of detracting. The sound design here is also brilliant, especially when it shifts from the sound of police sirens to children shrieking in play. It's masterfully done, but does leaving you wishing the film ever got this thrilling again.
Watch here.
Solo - The train heist
Taking its cues from classic Westerns, Solo transports a train robbery to a remote frozen planet, to great effect. Young Han tries to prove himself by pulling off a high risk job, but things don't go at all according to plan. The design here is very clever, with the double-sided train suspended through the mountains, and the hovering speeder bikes that show up to disrupt their plan. The cast is excellent as well, with Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, and Jon Favreau trading classic Star Wars banter, even as things go increasingly awry. For me, this scene got to the joy of the original films better than anything other set piece from the new entries.
Watch part of it here.
Mission Impossible: Fallout - Bathroom fight
This scene became famous well before the film's actual release, thanks to that hugely entertaining shot of Henry Cavill reloading his fists. It's absurd, but this film has the moxie to pull it off. Everything in this film is dialed to 110%. What sets this scene apart from so many other breathtaking action setpieces, apart from the excellent fight choreography, is the very dark humor, peppered throughout in perfect intervals. It adds just the right amount of levity without breaking the tension. It's masterfully crafted.
Watch here.
Black Panther - Korea car chase
Black Panther's action soars most when it takes its cues from James Bond. With science genius Shuri taking the M role to the next level, the film's most enjoyable action sequence comes when she remotely drives a prototype car to aid her brother in his mission in South Korea. It's tons of fun, not only due to the creative premise, but Shuri's joy at taking the wheel, and her banter with big brother T'Challa as he tests the limits of his own power. The Kendrick Lamar tunes in the background don't hurt either.
Watch here.
Avengers: Infinity War - Avengers V Thanos
A fight 10 years in the making, this epic battle lives up to its promise and was appropriately devastating. The Avengers still on earth really give it their all in their last stand against Thanos. But I think by now we all know that it's not quite enough. The actors and the score give it the necessary gravitas. Seeing it in the theaters is probably seared into my brain forever now. Don't watch a clip of this one - it needs to be seen in context.
Widows - opening heist
This movie peaks early. Steve McQueen brings his astute eye for character building to action in this 5-minute opening scene which brilliantly establishes the backstory of almost a dozen characters while still being exciting and tense. The camera work of the actual heist is fast paced and immediate, and the cuts to the domestic life of the characters adds to the tension instead of detracting. The sound design here is also brilliant, especially when it shifts from the sound of police sirens to children shrieking in play. It's masterfully done, but does leaving you wishing the film ever got this thrilling again.
Watch here.
Solo - The train heist
Taking its cues from classic Westerns, Solo transports a train robbery to a remote frozen planet, to great effect. Young Han tries to prove himself by pulling off a high risk job, but things don't go at all according to plan. The design here is very clever, with the double-sided train suspended through the mountains, and the hovering speeder bikes that show up to disrupt their plan. The cast is excellent as well, with Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, and Jon Favreau trading classic Star Wars banter, even as things go increasingly awry. For me, this scene got to the joy of the original films better than anything other set piece from the new entries.
Watch part of it here.
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