The 10 most underrated action films of the 2000s

On the positive side, a lot of gems were released between 2000 and 2009, even if many of them suffered the disgrace of disappearing without a trace from the cinemas, being laughed at by critics with a shrug of the shoulders and being dismissed as inferior works by proven directors.

The best always prevail, however, and each of the following ten flicks is worth a try for any self-respecting genre junkie who loves nothing more than blood, bullets, unexpected twists and thrills.

The 10 most overlooked action movies of the 2000s:

10. The path of the weapon (Christopher McQuarrie, 2000)

After becoming the Oscar-winning screenwriter of The usual suspects and before he became the man in demand for virtually every Tom Cruise film, Christopher McQuarrie made his feature-length directorial debut in style with The path of the weapon.

Narratively, the film moves between the over-complication of the 1990s and the self-awareness of the 2000s. Ryan Phillipe and Benicio del Toro play two clumsy petty criminals who, as part of a get-rich-quick plan, kidnap the pregnant wife of a notorious money launderer and suddenly find themselves in trouble.

He could be one of the figureheads of action cinema today, having Impossible mission franchise, but McQuarrie’s first film behind the camera offers plenty of visual daring and panache for a fraction of the budget. It’s a little too twisted for its own good, but it certainly packs a memorable punch.

9. District 13 (Pierre Morel, 2004)

A product of its time, that is the easiest way to summarize District 13 is to quote one of the greatest television series of the decade in which it came out: Parkour!!!

One of the countless action films that rolled off the production line at EuropaCorp, Luc Besson co-wrote and produced the feature-length directorial debut of Pierre Morel, who would rejuvenate Liam Neeson’s career with his next film. Taken.

Lead actors David Belle and Cyril Raffaelli may lack tangible acting talent, but the dystopian story of a cop and a civilian teaming up to fight off a common threat features plenty of stunning free-running sequences that actually advance the plot rather than just being eye candy. What’s more, the socioeconomic commentary is richer than the genre usually offers, making the film an unsung gem that barely broke even at the box office on its initial run.

8th. Blood and Bones (Ben Ramsey, 2009)

Just because an action film isn’t shown in theaters doesn’t mean it’s not worth seeing. Michael Jai White is one of the most reliable veterans of the VOD scene and Blood and Bones is undoubtedly one of the best contributions to his filmography.

While the plot is nothing special, as its ex-convict battles his way through the competition in a high-stakes tournament where much more than just his pride is at stake, the variety of fighting styles and disciplines on display gives the film a freshness that is noticeably lacking in most direct-to-video productions.

Extra points are also due to the diverse cast, which includes the legendary Gene LeBell, Bruce Lee’s regular collaborator Robert Wall, Hook Star Dante Basco, Gina Carano, Kimbo Slice, Dwayne Johnson’s cousin and stunt double Tanoai Reed and The bill Veteran Eamonn Walker.

7. Merentau (Gareth Evans, 2009)

Everyone knows The attack and its sequel for the way the Indonesian duo put director Gareth Evans and star Iko Uwais on the map, but Merentau should never be slept on.

As expected when both the filmmaker and the lead actor are working on a major production for the first time, it is fascinating to watch in retrospect, because it becomes increasingly clear how the DNA of The attack – which launched both of their careers – was originally founded.

It obviously lacks the elegance and precision of her later works, but Merentau is a phenomenal martial arts event in itself and makes it clear that the dynamic duo had a bright future in cinema.

6. Running scared (Wayne Kramer, 2006)

Although Paul Walker led one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises, he could not boast a large number of memorable achievements, apart from his Fast & Furious Comfort zone, but Running scared might just be his best performance ever.

After being tasked by his mob boss with getting rid of the guns used to kill two police officers, Walker’s Joey Gazelle faces the fight of his life when the neighbor boy who befriended his son uses those guns to gun down his stepfather and disappear into the night.

The film was fast-paced, driving and exuded a latent sense of danger in almost every shot. Both Walker and screenwriter and director Wayne Kramer showed variety here. The filmmaker’s dreamlike aesthetic created an intense atmosphere that gets under your skin and doesn’t let up until the credits roll.

5. Time and tides (Tsui Hark, 2000)

Tsui Hark, one of the leading minds of Hong Kong’s “Golden Age” that boomed in the 1980s, may not have quite achieved the level of fame of John Woo or Ringo Lam, but he was not only an outstanding producer, but also a fantastic director.

Time and tides may not have been a success in terms of ticket sales, but in terms of its ambition and ability to suddenly transform its existential meditations into a nerve-wracking rollercoaster ride that ridicules structure and convention, instead putting the pedal to the metal and refusing to let up, it’s a winner.

The plot doesn’t reveal itself until about halfway through, but once everything falls into place after a bodyguard befriends a hitman desperate to start a new life with his newlywed wife, it’s all open as Hark makes a sensational shift from character-driven drama to action blockbuster.

4. The Rundown (Peter Berg, 2003)

It has been over 20 years since the first Dwayne Johnson star vehicle was released that was not tied to an existing property, and there is a solid argument that The Rundown still the best blockbuster he was ever involved in.

“The Rock,” a “recovery expert” who dreams of opening his own restaurant, is sent into the deepest recesses of the Amazon rainforest to recover Seann William Scott’s loudmouth Joker, who also happens to be his boss’s son. Unfortunately, the self-indulgent Christopher Walken isn’t ready to play nice.

The Rundown has a decidedly modern feel, but the story, character dynamics and ironic ridiculousness of it all are straight out of the buddy flick’s heyday in the 1980s. Given its self-proclaimed status as “franchise Viagra,” Johnson would no doubt have put together a sequel by now if the film hadn’t flopped.

3. The Chaser (Na Hong-jin, 2008)

Inspired by true events, The Chaser presents an intoxicating hybrid of crime thriller, action film and redemption story that belies its status as director Na Hong-jin’s first feature film.

Eom Joong-ho, played by Kim Yoon-seok, is a disgraced detective who now works as a pimp and is forced into a race against time when one of his girls goes missing. With a suspected serial killer on the loose, he has just 12 hours to gather evidence before local authorities release the would-be killer without charge.

The result is a nerve-wracking game of cat and mouse in which tension and unexpected twists are seamlessly combined with complex and emotional action sequences that are fearless in their brutality but always serve the plot and are not staged just for the sake of the plot.

2. Tokyo Raiders (Jingle Ma, 2000)

Despite the title and the Japanese setting, Tokyo Raiders is a Hong Kong action film through and through, anchored by the radiant star cast and the natural charisma of lead actor Tony Leung.

Although the film relies heavily on comedic aspects, the playful nature and light-heartedness complement the action perfectly and provide an unpretentious and highly entertaining example of cool people playing cool characters who do cool things on a regular basis.

An angry bride is furious at not showing up for her wedding in Las Vegas. She hires Leung’s private investigator to find out not only where he is, but why the Yakuza are so interested in him. Naturally, banter ensues, and romance blossoms to boot.

1. White-out (Setsuro Wakamatsu, 2000)

Basically, it is one of many Die Hard Clones that appear after Bruce Willis’ wild scurrying around Nakatomi Plaza, but White-out is undoubtedly one of the best facsimiles this subgenre has produced.

Terrorists take control of Japan’s largest dam, take the workers hostage and demand a large ransom from the government for their safe return. Die HardIn this case, Yūji Oda’s Togashi Teruo fulfills John McClane’s mission.

John McTiernan’s classic has been adapted for countless thinly veiled imitators, but the sense of scale conveyed by the cavernous dam and Togashi’s complete unpreparedness for the role of the hero make Whitehout Stand out from the crowd, especially when the bullets are flying.

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