Action movies need just one thing to succeed, and it is the title. Action movies can often be infinitely rewatchable, thanks in part to the charisma of the cast, the abundance of fighting scenes, and the amount of fun that could be had whilst watching them.
Some of the best action movies turned 30 in 2022, and with the new year swiftly approaching, it’s a perfect time to look back on what 1992 had to offer audiences in terms of action. Although there might not be much, it doesn’t mean that 1992 was barren for fans of action genres and the best action movies. There’s plenty of excitement from sequels, original movies, and returning caped crusaders.
6 Lethal Weapon 3
There’s a decent blend and union of humor and action in Lethal Weapon 3, a sequel to one of the most 80s depictions of cops audiences will ever see. Lethal Weapon 3 is another addition to the series to feature the talents of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, who have great chemistry. However, the film squanders its story and villains but doesn’t take away from some cool scenes.
The police officers of Riggs and Murtaugh reunite for Lethal Weapon 3, joining forces once again to try and put a stop to an arms dealer who has been directly responsible for the thievery of weapons in the Los Angeles Police Department. There’s plenty of action in this buddy cop movie.
5 Under Siege
There’s a reason that Under Siege is one of the more popular Steven Seagal action movies. It’s essentially Die Hard, but set on a battleship, but by no means does that discredit the story and action present through Under Siege. The film is thrilling, and packed with exciting action scenes with an abundance of weapons, kills, and fights. Seagal, of course, excels in the action, which makes part of the selling point towards Under Siege.
As nuclear terrorists seize a Marine battleship for their nuclear warhead potential, all seems lost for the captured crew. Until the battleship’s cook takes the call to action. This heroic loner was a former Navy SEAL, leaving way for plenty of great moments of a powerful combatant against an entire force of a CIA-trained professional and his disgruntled and private small army.
4 Patriot Games
An action movie starring Harrison Ford is a no-brainer in the eyes of audiences. Ford is a stellar actor, and Patriot Games will give audiences what they crave. Ford is paired against a great villain played by the wonderful Sean Bean. Patriot Games is a fast-moving thriller movie filled with plenty of action and more than enough of it to service the audience.
Following on from the Jack Ryan stories, Harrison Ford takes up the mantle of the character as an ex-CIA agent. As a former CIA analyst, Jack Ryan impedes an attack by the IRA in England’s capital of London. During this mission, Jack Ryan kills one of the terrorists, leading the dead terrorist’s brother to seek revenge against Jack Ryan. The film follows Ryan as he protects himself and his family from being hunted by a renegade faction.
3 Passenger 57
Passenger 57 is an example of a classic hijacker film. Action movies since Die Hard seemed to adore the premise of a talented action man trapped with his captors. With the protagonist played by Wesley Snipes, it’s no surprise that Passenger 57 showed what Snipes could do before Blade.
A retired anti-terrorist export takes the role of an airline security specialist after the plane he boards is overtaken by terrorists. With a flight bound for Los Angeles, John Cutter only has a short amount of time to take back control of the plane and use his former training to take out the terrorists and save the day.
2 The Bodyguard
Whitney Houston immensely goes to Hollywood with her first role in The Bodyguard. Houston’s music score for the film is stellar and bolsters the romantic thriller that is The Bodyguard. The simple and romantic premise makes the film work in ways it shouldn’t. The film may focus more on romance than action, but it’s still a great movie for all.
The story of The Bodyguard follows the former Secret Service agent of President Raegan, Frank Farmer. Frank is tasked with being the bodyguard to Rachel Marron, a new sensation for her musical talents. What starts as a reluctant job, soon blossoms into something intimate, all the while an obsessive and dangerous stalker nears.
1 Batman Returns
The title says it all, as Batman Returnsfeatures everything promised. Michael Keaton and Tim Burton reunite to bring Gotham City to life, in this highly stylized comic book movie. The cast is stellar, as are the sets and costumes of the characters. Batman Returns is more of what fans loved from the first Keaton-led film, and further emphasizes just how adored Batman is in cinema.
The story of Batman Returns follows 1989’s Batman, in which the caped crusader has been the vigilante of Gotham City for years. New threats emerge as The Penguin allies with Max, an entrepreneur. To make matters worse, Catwoman also joins in on the fun, causing trouble for Batman at every turn.