The 3rd annual celebration of the best action sequences the film industry has to offer is finally upon us. Here are the 10 scenes (along with 5 honorable mentions) that impressed me the most during 2021.
Honorable Mentions:
"Shang-Chi's parents fall in love via a wuxia-inspired fight"-Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
(The fight itself lasts until roughly the 3-minute mark)
"Molotov Girl and Guy Team Up for the 1st time"-Free Guy
"Final Fight"-Boss Level
"Han's Apartment Fight"-F9
"Paralyzed Arms Fight"-Gunpowder Milkshake
10."Bowling Alley Fight"-Gunpowder Milkshake
There's a constant humor and liveliness present in the action sequences of Gunpowder Milkshake that makes them feel really unique. This early fight scene involving the protagonist Sam (Karen Gillan) squaring off against some henchman in a bowling alley is a perfect example of that as it involves the characters engaging in a goofy, neon-tinged battle that forces them to use their unusual environment to try and gain an advantage.
9."Kitchen Fight"-Kate
This is the exact type of scene that stunt/fight coordinator extraordinaire Jonathan Eusebio has become known for: Brutal, visceral showdowns between equally matched opponents where stamina and a little bit of luck ultimately determine the winner.
8."Chambers vs. Zombie Hive"-Army of the Dead
Ill-fated heist crew member Chambers (professional stunt performer/part time actor Samantha Win) kicks a whole lot of zombie ass before being overwhelmed to the point of no escape and while this clip doesn't show much of it, Zack Snyder did a really great job of building towards this moment where she is forced to fight for her survival in a confined space with some terrific suspense.
'7."Havoc in Havana"-No Time to Die
No Time to Die boasted some of the most intense and impressive action of the entire James Bond franchise, but this magnificent sequence that sees Bond (Daniel Craig), the new 007 (Lashana Lynch) and their CIA contact Paloma (Ana de Armas in a flat-out incredible extended cameo) having their attempted extraction mission in Havana go promptly sideways is the top highlight by a considerable margin.
6."Harley Quinn's Prison Escape"-The Suicide Squad
James Gunn and Margot Robbie had a visible blast putting together this pivotal scene that has Harley Quinn's signature chaotic, colorful and unpredictable personality all over it.
5. "Bus Fight"-Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Both sides of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Hong Kong martial arts film, MCU origin story) come together in this lengthy scene that mixes dazzling practical fight choreography/stuntwork, humor, some obligatory CGI and a very cool homage to the most famous scene in Jackie Chan's breakout movie Police Story together to make one hell of a defining moment for the best film Marvel has put out since Avengers: Infinity War.
4."Bus Fight"-Nobody
Bob Odenkirk's impressive dedication to becoming a proper action star is on full display during this incredibly complex fight sequence where his character Hutch is forced to dust off the assassin skills he'd put away for over a decade after retiring from the killing business during an altercation with some drunk, aggressive assholes on a bus.
3."Godzilla vs. Kong Destroy Hong Kong"-Godzilla vs. Kong
The vibrant neon lights of Hong Kong make for a stunning backdrop for Godzilla and Kong to engage in the first portion of the epic, climatic destructive clash that fans of these titans have been waiting far too long to see.
2. "Kate vs. the Kajima Clan"-Kate
The craft behind the action sequences in Kate has been disturbingly underappreciated. From the methodical intensity Mary Elizabeth Winstead brings to the title role to the impeccable fight choreography to the fluidity of the cinematography and editing, this incredible scene is another tremendous example of the greatness that occurs when action is handled with the level of care, dedication and creativity it deserves.
1. "Warehouse Fight" -Nobody
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