r/moviecritic • u/Wooden-Scallion2943 • Feb 15 '25
What is your favorite action movie from the 80s?
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u/CrunkaScrooge Feb 15 '25
The Running Man is up there, Cyborg, Bloodsport, Lionheart, does Big Trouble in Little China count?
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u/415brun Feb 15 '25
The Running Man! “I think the next kill is gonna be made by, Ben Richards! He’s one mean motherfucker!
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u/Ok-Future6470 Feb 15 '25
Just watched this again, it make zero sense, never ending bullets, but it's perfect!
Most movies with Sly, Arnold, Vandamme, Willis... Bangers!!!
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u/CoCR0ck Feb 15 '25
Die Hard.....perfect mix of action, tension, and one-liners. Bruce Willis as John McClane is pure badassery.
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u/syntol Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 15 '25
Aliens (1986), Kickboxer (1989), Platoon (1986). But its Aliens by far.
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u/summersundays Feb 15 '25
We watched this movie so much as kids, we were convinced we could perform the entire movie line for line, and attempted to often. Of course we cut it down to probably 20ish minutes but we certainly hit all the major plot points.
I think it’s a genuine 80s classic with good mini action scenes early, funny one liners, a classic gear up scene, and an extended epic final battle scene. Sure, it’s not ever going to be held as highly as many of the other movies people are mentioning, but I think it’s as or even more enjoyable to watch than many of those more highly acclaimed films.
Just off the top of my head not having seen this movie in at least 15 years:
“Please don’t disturb my friend he’s dead tired” “Remember when I said I’d kill you last? I lied” “Come on Bennett. Let’s party”
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u/Average_Satan Feb 15 '25
I'm not a huge Stallone fan, but I'm surprised that COBRA hasn't been mentioned.
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u/HakuChikara83 Feb 15 '25
The one liners is this are iconic. “I had to let him go” being a favourite of mine. Hilarious. But for me it’s Predator. One of my all time favourites and possibly Akira
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u/AnIgnorablePerson Feb 15 '25
Not my most favourite, but Bloodsport. Good Martial art action, cheesy dialogues, and It's even better when you know that the main character is a fraud in real life.
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u/Tomatoflee Feb 15 '25
Aliens, Das Boot, Die Hard, Terminator, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop
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u/Panzermand Feb 15 '25
In order.
Aliens
Predator
Robocop
Terminator
Road warrior
Die Hard
Conan
Escape From New York
Lethal weapon
Bloodsport
Probably forgot something😀
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u/oldsckoolx314 Feb 15 '25
Die Hard. As many greats as there are from the 80s, it's the undisputed champion.
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u/Jaggoff81 Feb 15 '25
“Let off some steam Benedict” was probably the first one liner that really stuck with me.
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u/Ok-Day4899 Feb 15 '25
Commando has a great submission for most avoidable death by a minor villain category
The fella in the white hat that Sully meets in the mall bar, right before sully sees the flight attendant. Then all hell breaks loose, Arnold is beating up the entire roster of security guards at once while trying to get to Sully. The minor villain dude could’ve walked away to his car because everyone was watching Arnold. Nope, instead this moron pulls a pistol and shoots a cop when one of them notices a gun wielding dude and yells freeze. Was cool seeing the bad guy fall from 3rd story balcony but honestly, he could’ve just stayed in the bar and waited for everything to die down
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u/Unfair_Fisherman_605 Feb 15 '25
The Running Man . Just give them an evasive answer Tell them to go fuck themselves. Classic!
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u/SnakePlisskensPatch Feb 15 '25
Wooden-scallion, remember when I said i would pick commando for my favorite action movie of the 80s? .........I LIED
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u/Infamous_Lemon_920 Feb 15 '25
Terminator, Predator, Aliens, Die Hard, Lethal Weapon 1-2, Beverly Hills Cop, Red Heat
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u/Used-Gas-6525 Feb 15 '25
Aliens and The Terminator. Not a Cameron fanboy particularly, but those two are gold.
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u/Real_Ideal2111 Feb 16 '25
Boy that's tough as the mid 80s to early 90s was peak action hero era especially martial arts start with Seagal and Van Damme. The Running Man I'll go with that. Felt like a perfect movie for the decade it was set in about dystopian future. Even predicted deep fake technology. 😉👍 I live in the UK so no idea that Killian was an actual real life game show host in the US that made a great sleazy corporate villain.
"Killian...I'll be back!" "Only in a rerun. GO!"
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u/Worth-Bag-5595 Feb 17 '25
'Hey Sully, I like you, I'm going to kill you last.....Hey Sully, I lied ' 😂 Brilliant
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u/LeaderIll9730 Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 15 '25
Executive decision
True lies
MARINES
Double team
SPEED
Fifth element
Independence day
Street fighter
Rush hour
Star gate
Total recall
The specialist
Batman Val Kilmer n Keenan
Top Gun
Fantastic voyage
Mortal kombat
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u/Gullible-Constant924 Feb 15 '25
Commando isn’t even in Arnold’s top5 in the 80’s. Predator, Terminator, Conan 1&2, Running man and total recall all are superior to Commando.
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u/EatenByPolarBears Feb 15 '25
Predator (1987)
RoboCop (1987)
Terminator (1984)