When it comes to choosing your favorite type of movie, you’ll probably hear a whole host of reasons why action movies shouldn’t be considered as a legitimate genre. Perhaps the most common complaint about these films is that they don’t have great plots, the acting is bad, and that the best you can hope for is a lot of explosions. Well, truth be told, there are some action movies that certainly do this, but they do it very well.
Overall, however, action movies get a bad reputation simply because they don’t seem high-brow enough to make people want to converse afterward. Then again, conversation about a movie that’s worthwhile is all in the eye of the beholder.
But action movies do one thing better than just about any other movie genre out there – they entertain us. Isn’t that what going to the movies is all about? Moreover, because they do it so well, they leave the audience wanting more, which, in turn, spawns the sequel. Usually, sequels aren’t the best, but every once in a while, you really get a heck of a follow-up.
It’s these action movies with no sequel that just makes re-watching the movie seem like punishment & a step toward greater appreciation for what it offers to the viewer.
Here are seven action movies that not only need to be watched (make a note) but left audiences hoping for a sequel that never came:
District 9 – Leaving audiences with a heck of a cliffhanger, this movie showcased a number of political & philosophical dilemmas to audiences upon its release, cleverly asking questions about government interference, immigration, and even what it means to be human.
Enter The Dragon – Martial arts legend Bruce Lee died just before the release of this movie in the U.S., which catapulted him to posthumous stardom. Though there is an ending to the film, there are many questions left unanswered & Lee’s untimely death leaves you unsatisfied.
Saving Private Ryan – Considered one of the greatest depictions of war on film of all-time, this movie ends on a somber note that is all-together unsatisfying because the audience just doesn’t know what to do with itself after what it has seen.
300 – History tells us that there is no need for a sequel because there is no one left for it, but considering the visual firepower of this movie, audiences would love to see more.
The Fugitive – Apparently, one-armed men can be really problematic. Though there seems to be resolution to this movie, the viewer is left with a bad taste simply because you wonder how anyone can move forward from where the movie leaves off.
Gladiator – Even though the protagonist does everything right & finds the peace he’s sought for so long, the action left behind doesn’t just end, right? What happens afterward?
The Italian Job (1969 version) – This is the greatest cliffhanger of all-time. Nearly five decades later & we’re still waiting to know what happened.
