Action movies have been a staple of cinema since its creation, boasting blood-pumping big-screen spectacles. Fans love the adrenaline-fuelled exploits of new and returning action stars. Although action movies are not renowned for the most subtle or heartfelt performances by actors, they still do tremendously well at the box office.
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The action movies that will be released this year have the potential to be some of the best of the decade. There are bigger and better sequels, brand new epics with all-star casts, exciting action thrillers coming to the big screen in 2022.
‘The Batman’
Disconnected from previousBatmanmovies,Matt Reeves’The Batmanis a standalone story focusing on the Caped Crusader. The film will follow Bruce Wayne (Rober Pattinson) in his second year as the vigilante, keeping Gotham safe from The Penguin (Colin Farrell) and battling his own inner demons. Gotham is shaken, however when a mysterious serial killer calling himself The Riddler (Paul Dano) enters the scene, Batman is put to the test in a battle of wits.
Fans have been dubious aboutThe Batmansince its development announcement. Fraught with production problems since its beginning, audiences questioned Robert Pattinson’s casting as the Dark Knight. However, after the first trailer dropped in August 2020, the hype for the movie has been huge. Matt Reeves is bringing a dark and gritty story to the big screen and showcasing Batman’s skills as a detective and martial artist. In addition, the production design is incredible: have you seen that new Batsuit? The suit alone can get anyone excited for this iteration.
‘Uncharted’
The epic action-adventure video game seriesUnchartedis swinging its way onto the big screen, with directorRuben Fleischerat the helm.Tom Hollandis in thelead role as a young Nathan Drake, and the film will follow Drake on his first adventure with his father figure and mentor, Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg). Sully introduces Drake to the dangerous and lucrative world of treasure hunting.
The history behind game-to-movie adaptations has been lackluster, to say the least. Similar toUncharted, several versions ofTomb Raiderhave tried and failed to take off. However,Unchartedis offering a prequel and origin story to the franchise. Since the trailer dropped in October, fans have been even more excited to see Tom Holland’s take on the iconic game character. We hope that Uncharted doesn’t follow the gaming movie curse, but either way, it still looks like a thrilling and exciting movie.
‘The Northman’
An intense, creepy, and extremely violent Viking story of revenge? Sign us up. From directorRobert Eggers,The Northmanfollows the story of Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), a Viking prince whose father (Ethan Hawke) was murdered in front of him by his uncle (Claes Bang), and his kingdom is subsequently stolen. Barely escaping, Amleth dedicates the rest of his life to revenge, driven by his mantra: “I will avenge you, Father! I will save you, Mother! I will kill you, Fjolnir!”
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The film looks like it will take a deep look into vengeance and Viking culture. Of the teasers we have seen from the trailer, the film no doubt promises epic action sequences and intense, bloody fighting. Skarsgard looks downright terrifying in the trailer and fans can’t wait to see the Viking world take a dark twist on the big screen, all coming from the mind of the visionary director ofThe Lighthouse.
From the mind ofSimon Kinberg, producer ofLogan,The Martian, and numerousX-Men movies,The 355follows an elite team of female secret agents from around the world. When a dangerous weapon falls into mercenary hands, special agents from the USA, UK, China, Germany, and Columbia join together to take it back.
The film looks like a classic action story, full to the brim with explosions, guns, quippy remarks, and intense fighting. Refreshingly, The 355 follows an all-female spy squad who kicks ass as much as any other team on the big screen. Filled with an A-list cast, fans can’t wait to see how tough these women can be. The film came out in theaters on January 7th.
‘Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre’
The second crime film from Guy Ritchie in the space of two years,Operation Fortunefocuses onJason Statham’sOrson Fortune. A tough leader of a group of super spies, Fortune must recruit A-List movie star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to get close to a billionaire arms dealer.A trailer for the film was just released last December.
The film brings together comedy and crime in true Ritchie style with copious amounts of style and black comedy. This will be the fifth collaboration between Ritchie and Statham and audiences are promised the usual violent and charismatic stylings from the duo that they have become so acquainted with.
From the pages of Marvel Comics and directed byDaniel Espinosa, the story follows Dr. Michael Morbius (Jared Leto), a scientist with a rare blood disease that weakens his body and shortens his lifespan. In a desperate attempt to cure himself, Morbius infects himself with a form of vampirism that grants him superhuman strength, speed, flight, and senses.
After being heavily delayed due to the pandemic, Morbius will finally release and add to Sony’s cinematic universe. Fans are speculating the connections that Morbius will have to the wider Marvel universe. The action looks dark and violent, following the character’s creepy origin story. Whatever happens, fans are excited to see Jared Leto’s take on the spooky anti-hero.
‘Mission Impossible 7’
Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) comes blasting back onto the big screen withMission Impossible 7. Little is known about the upcoming sequel, however.Christopher McQuarrieis returning to direct and write. McQuarrie directed the last two Mission Impossible films, which are arguably the best films of the franchise and helped revitalize the series.
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In addition to Tom Cruise,Simon PeggandRebecca Fergusonwill be returning to the series.Hayley Atwellis entering the series, her character is described as a morally ambiguous wildcard. Several links are being made to the early films withVanessa Kirbyplaying the daughter of the arms dealer Max (Vanessa Redgrave) from the first film, as well asHenry Czernyreturning as the former director of the IMF. Whatever happens in the new installment, McQuarrie helming the project is sure to make it an explosive addition to the franchise.
‘Bullet Train’
From directorDavid Leitch,Bullet Trainis based on the novel fromKotaro Isaka. It follows a group of assassins on a bullet train journey in Japan. As they begin to close in on their targets, they quickly realize how connected they all are.
Leitch has been the executive director for all threeJohn Wickmovies as well as directingAtomic Blonde,Deadpool 2, andFast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw. Leitch helming Bullet Train already guarantees it as an explosive, gun-toting thriller, and with the all-star cast that he has gathered (featuringBrad Pitt,Sandra Bullock,Aaron Taylor Johnson, and more), it is looking to be one of the best action movies of the year.
‘Extraction 2’
Extraction 2is one of the most hyped action movies coming out this year that has the least information known about it. The film will follow on from the first movie, a no-limits modern action thriller withChris Hemsworthplaying Tyler Rake. The firstExtractionrapidly became the most-watched Netflix Original movie of all time due to its gritty action and intense fight sequences that put Hemsworth at the forefront of modern action stardom.
Chris Hemsworth has been the only actor confirmed to return or even appear, as Netflix has kept details about the sequel close to their chest. From production photos, Extraction 2 seems to be set in a more Arctic climate, completely different from its stiflingly humid Bangladesh. Sam Hargrave is taking the lead once again and it promises to be just as action-packed as its prequel.
‘Ambulance’
A modern staple of action cinema is the explosive flick with more bullet holes than minutes in its runtime.Michael Bayis back in the action genre withAmbulance, an adrenaline-pumping action thriller. The story follows two adoptive brothers who rob a bank before hijacking an ambulance as their getaway with a paramedic and wounded cop on board.
The trailer promises a no-holds-barred action thriller withJake GyllenhallandYahya Abdul-Mateen IIIin the lead roles. In true Michael Bay style, the film seems to be full of explosions, guns, and car chases, from which the film’s premise is based upon. It looks like a thrill ride from start to finish and we can’t wait to see it.
