Top 10 Action Movies that are Surprisingly Artistic

have you ever wondered if gunfire and

have you ever wondered if gunfire and explosions can be beautiful welcome to

explosions can be beautiful welcome to

explosions can be beautiful welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 action

down our picks for the top 10 action

down our picks for the top 10 action movies that are surprisingly artistic

movies that are surprisingly artistic

movies that are surprisingly artistic before we begin we publish new videos

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more great content for this list we’re

more great content for this list we’re looking at the best action films that

looking at the best action films that

looking at the best action films that offer a little more depth to their story

offer a little more depth to their story

offer a little more depth to their story their purpose and their visual artistry

their purpose and their visual artistry

their purpose and their visual artistry whether they’re art house classics or

whether they’re art house classics or

whether they’re art house classics or modern masterpieces

modern masterpieces

modern masterpieces I know kung fu’ number 10 old boy

I know kung fu’ number 10 old boy

I know kung fu’ number 10 old boy clearly time is done

clearly time is done

clearly time is done becoming one of the most well known and

becoming one of the most well known and

becoming one of the most well known and highly regarded films from South Korea

highly regarded films from South Korea

highly regarded films from South Korea is no easy feat being an action thriller

is no easy feat being an action thriller

is no easy feat being an action thriller that’s also an award-winning art house

that’s also an award-winning art house

that’s also an award-winning art house favorite is near impossible under under

favorite is near impossible under under

favorite is near impossible under under under able to do much about it

under able to do much about it

under able to do much about it the story of the poor tortured otay su

the story of the poor tortured otay su

the story of the poor tortured otay su who’s finally released from captivity

who’s finally released from captivity

who’s finally released from captivity with no explanation may be considered a

with no explanation may be considered a

with no explanation may be considered a mystery by many but the action and

mystery by many but the action and

mystery by many but the action and thrills are what’s most memorable in

thrills are what’s most memorable in

thrills are what’s most memorable in this controversial and disturbing film

this controversial and disturbing film

this controversial and disturbing film as he stabs punches and bleeds his way

as he stabs punches and bleeds his way

as he stabs punches and bleeds his way towards some answers getting revenge

towards some answers getting revenge

towards some answers getting revenge along the way we’re treated to some

along the way we’re treated to some

along the way we’re treated to some emotionally gritty violence including

emotionally gritty violence including

emotionally gritty violence including the infamous and visually striking

the infamous and visually striking

the infamous and visually striking hallway attack which took three days to

hallway attack which took three days to

hallway attack which took three days to shoot the box phenomenon or describe

shoot the box phenomenon or describe

shoot the box phenomenon or describe reason code number nine Sicario

until Sicario came along director denis

until Sicario came along director denis villeneuve was not known as an action

villeneuve was not known as an action

villeneuve was not known as an action director he was a great director of

director he was a great director of

director he was a great director of intense drama a brilliant voyeur into

intense drama a brilliant voyeur into

intense drama a brilliant voyeur into deeply emotional and private spaces well

deeply emotional and private spaces well

deeply emotional and private spaces well by bringing that talent to a film about

by bringing that talent to a film about

by bringing that talent to a film about FBI agents and drug cartels fighting the

FBI agents and drug cartels fighting the

FBI agents and drug cartels fighting the unwinnable war on drugs he gave us a

unwinnable war on drugs he gave us a

unwinnable war on drugs he gave us a tense action film that plays out like a

tense action film that plays out like a

tense action film that plays out like a stage play including the beautifully

stage play including the beautifully

stage play including the beautifully choreographed ambush scene at the

choreographed ambush scene at the

choreographed ambush scene at the Mexican border what did I bestow la

Mexican border what did I bestow la

Mexican border what did I bestow la meanwhile the character study and

meanwhile the character study and

meanwhile the character study and dialogue hit us as hard as any gunfight

dialogue hit us as hard as any gunfight

dialogue hit us as hard as any gunfight or explosion and the perfect acting

or explosion and the perfect acting

or explosion and the perfect acting properly portrays these characters as

properly portrays these characters as

properly portrays these characters as weak and flawed humans not action heroes

weak and flawed humans not action heroes

weak and flawed humans not action heroes we looking for

watch number eight Crouching Tiger

watch number eight Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon I think you all only is

Hidden Dragon I think you all only is

Hidden Dragon I think you all only is yet another example where a great

yet another example where a great

yet another example where a great dramatic director can shine even more

dramatic director can shine even more

dramatic director can shine even more with the addition of some beautiful

with the addition of some beautiful

with the addition of some beautiful action set-pieces

action set-pieces

action set-pieces nobody would have expected the director

nobody would have expected the director

nobody would have expected the director of Sense and Sensibility and the ice

of Sense and Sensibility and the ice

of Sense and Sensibility and the ice storm to make a martial arts film but

storm to make a martial arts film but

storm to make a martial arts film but Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is unlike

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is unlike

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is unlike any martial arts film you’ll ever see

any martial arts film you’ll ever see

any martial arts film you’ll ever see you know young women in animation

you know young women in animation

you know young women in animation Oh what the action fantasy with its near

Oh what the action fantasy with its near

Oh what the action fantasy with its near perfect and billeted high wire flying

perfect and billeted high wire flying

perfect and billeted high wire flying scenes took the world by storm becoming

scenes took the world by storm becoming

scenes took the world by storm becoming the highest-grossing foreign language

the highest-grossing foreign language

the highest-grossing foreign language film in America’s history as well as the

film in America’s history as well as the

film in America’s history as well as the only martial arts film to have ever been

only martial arts film to have ever been

only martial arts film to have ever been nominated for best picture at the

nominated for best picture at the

nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards man oh my god

Academy Awards man oh my god

Academy Awards man oh my god Mohammed ah so one class number seven

Mohammed ah so one class number seven

Mohammed ah so one class number seven Leone the professional kid come now we

Leone the professional kid come now we

Leone the professional kid come now we turn to a director who’s known for his

turn to a director who’s known for his

turn to a director who’s known for his action films however as an artist Luc

action films however as an artist Luc

action films however as an artist Luc Besson decides to choose stylistic

Besson decides to choose stylistic

Besson decides to choose stylistic compositions and raw emotion instead of

compositions and raw emotion instead of

compositions and raw emotion instead of over-the-top action and violence in

over-the-top action and violence in

over-the-top action and violence in Basalt hands the story of a ruthless and

Basalt hands the story of a ruthless and

Basalt hands the story of a ruthless and unstoppable hitman who has to protect

unstoppable hitman who has to protect

unstoppable hitman who has to protect his neighbor from violent corrupt DEA

his neighbor from violent corrupt DEA

his neighbor from violent corrupt DEA agent becomes the story of a man who’s

agent becomes the story of a man who’s

agent becomes the story of a man who’s willing to do anything to help a

willing to do anything to help a

willing to do anything to help a victimized little girl like always this

victimized little girl like always this

victimized little girl like always this time just when their kid always Argos

time just when their kid always Argos

time just when their kid always Argos thanks Julie on the professional genre

thanks Julie on the professional genre

thanks Julie on the professional genre no became a superstar playing the

no became a superstar playing the

no became a superstar playing the babysitting New York City hitmen and the

babysitting New York City hitmen and the

babysitting New York City hitmen and the songs impressive brand of humanistic and

songs impressive brand of humanistic and

songs impressive brand of humanistic and realistic action finally broke out in

realistic action finally broke out in

realistic action finally broke out in Hollywood victim Ian which is not

Hollywood victim Ian which is not

Hollywood victim Ian which is not number six inception we’re asleep our

number six inception we’re asleep our

number six inception we’re asleep our mind can do almost anything

mind can do almost anything

mind can do almost anything Christopher Nolan’s inception is what

Christopher Nolan’s inception is what

Christopher Nolan’s inception is what happens when you take a mega budget

happens when you take a mega budget

happens when you take a mega budget Hollywood special-effects filled heist

Hollywood special-effects filled heist

Hollywood special-effects filled heist movie and turn it into a smart film it’s

movie and turn it into a smart film it’s

movie and turn it into a smart film it’s also the outcome when you give an

also the outcome when you give an

also the outcome when you give an already talented filmmaker the ability

already talented filmmaker the ability

already talented filmmaker the ability to make an action film about dream

to make an action film about dream

to make an action film about dream theory and philosophical investigations

theory and philosophical investigations

theory and philosophical investigations into existentialism and depression Nolan

into existentialism and depression Nolan

into existentialism and depression Nolan was a director of dramatic thrillers who

was a director of dramatic thrillers who

was a director of dramatic thrillers who proved his worth as an action film maker

proved his worth as an action film maker

proved his worth as an action film maker when he brought comic book films into

when he brought comic book films into

when he brought comic book films into the 21st century with his Dark Knight

the 21st century with his Dark Knight

the 21st century with his Dark Knight trilogy inception continued this upward

trilogy inception continued this upward

trilogy inception continued this upward trajectory using inspiring sequences and

trajectory using inspiring sequences and

trajectory using inspiring sequences and gorgeous slow motion effects to inspire

gorgeous slow motion effects to inspire

gorgeous slow motion effects to inspire and excite audiences worldwide mustn’t

and excite audiences worldwide mustn’t

and excite audiences worldwide mustn’t be afraid to dream a little think about

be afraid to dream a little think about

be afraid to dream a little think about it

it

it number five Run Lola Run the little

number five Run Lola Run the little

number five Run Lola Run the little German film that could run Lola Run came

German film that could run Lola Run came

German film that could run Lola Run came out of nowhere and shocked the world not

out of nowhere and shocked the world not

out of nowhere and shocked the world not with its content but with its visual

with its content but with its visual

with its content but with its visual style it used unique filmmaking

style it used unique filmmaking

style it used unique filmmaking techniques and unusual storytelling

techniques and unusual storytelling

techniques and unusual storytelling methods to tell a simple yet

methods to tell a simple yet

methods to tell a simple yet white-knuckle tale of a girl running

white-knuckle tale of a girl running

white-knuckle tale of a girl running around to save her criminal boyfriend

around to save her criminal boyfriend

around to save her criminal boyfriend from trouble spawn at Todd’s market for

from trouble spawn at Todd’s market for

from trouble spawn at Todd’s market for fraud while whole nut housing market on

fraud while whole nut housing market on

fraud while whole nut housing market on Denise’s postman or do them this was I

Denise’s postman or do them this was I

Denise’s postman or do them this was I think about us needing to come up with

think about us needing to come up with

think about us needing to come up with the 100,000 which marks he just lost to

the 100,000 which marks he just lost to

the 100,000 which marks he just lost to pay his boss Manny tells Lola he needs

pay his boss Manny tells Lola he needs

pay his boss Manny tells Lola he needs to find the money in 20 minutes or he’ll

to find the money in 20 minutes or he’ll

to find the money in 20 minutes or he’ll rob a grocery store the mind-bending

rob a grocery store the mind-bending

rob a grocery store the mind-bending alternate timelines and jump cut

alternate timelines and jump cut

alternate timelines and jump cut experimental editing allow this foreign

experimental editing allow this foreign

experimental editing allow this foreign film to become more of an experience

film to become more of an experience

film to become more of an experience than a simple action flick soon enough

Sigyn hunt number four Kill Bill Vol 1

Sigyn hunt number four Kill Bill Vol 1 no it’s your Quentin Tarantino’s revenge

no it’s your Quentin Tarantino’s revenge

no it’s your Quentin Tarantino’s revenge thriller is an achievement in cinematic

thriller is an achievement in cinematic

thriller is an achievement in cinematic artistry because of its respect and

artistry because of its respect and

artistry because of its respect and tribute to the art of cinema at the time

tribute to the art of cinema at the time

tribute to the art of cinema at the time his Kill Bill movies were the

his Kill Bill movies were the

his Kill Bill movies were the culmination of Tarantino’s knowledge and

culmination of Tarantino’s knowledge and

culmination of Tarantino’s knowledge and love for film every single frame and

love for film every single frame and

love for film every single frame and aspect of this 2003 flick is a reference

aspect of this 2003 flick is a reference

aspect of this 2003 flick is a reference to film genres film history and

to film genres film history and

to film genres film history and cinematic storytelling the scattered

cinematic storytelling the scattered

cinematic storytelling the scattered timeline offers a more literary

timeline offers a more literary

timeline offers a more literary experience while the action sequences

experience while the action sequences

experience while the action sequences including the gratuitous violence are

including the gratuitous violence are

including the gratuitous violence are beautiful acrobatic choreographies

beautiful acrobatic choreographies

beautiful acrobatic choreographies watching Kill Bill is like visiting a

watching Kill Bill is like visiting a

watching Kill Bill is like visiting a film museums with dedications to

film museums with dedications to

film museums with dedications to everything from anime to kung fu to

everything from anime to kung fu to

everything from anime to kung fu to horror to blaxploitation to grindhouse

horror to blaxploitation to grindhouse

horror to blaxploitation to grindhouse cinema scattered throughout so Oh Ren

cinema scattered throughout so Oh Ren

cinema scattered throughout so Oh Ren any more subordinates for me to kill

any more subordinates for me to kill

any more subordinates for me to kill number three the matrix do you believe

number three the matrix do you believe

number three the matrix do you believe in fate you know there is no denying the

in fate you know there is no denying the

in fate you know there is no denying the influence this sci-fi thriller had on

influence this sci-fi thriller had on

influence this sci-fi thriller had on Hollywood and pop culture its enduring

Hollywood and pop culture its enduring

Hollywood and pop culture its enduring legacy is due to its groundbreaking

legacy is due to its groundbreaking

legacy is due to its groundbreaking special effects and beautiful

special effects and beautiful

special effects and beautiful choreography by when whooping who also

choreography by when whooping who also

choreography by when whooping who also worked on Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger

worked on Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger

worked on Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon as well as its dramatic

Hidden Dragon as well as its dramatic

Hidden Dragon as well as its dramatic and grim story it takes the Bible like

and grim story it takes the Bible like

and grim story it takes the Bible like tale about the search for a messiah

tale about the search for a messiah

tale about the search for a messiah figure to help save humanity and tells

figure to help save humanity and tells

figure to help save humanity and tells it with computers and kungfu which can

it with computers and kungfu which can

it with computers and kungfu which can rival any classic mythology but the

rival any classic mythology but the

rival any classic mythology but the Wachowski is not only used religious

Wachowski is not only used religious

Wachowski is not only used religious allegory but we’re also inspired by

allegory but we’re also inspired by

allegory but we’re also inspired by great philosophical thinkers like Plato

great philosophical thinkers like Plato

great philosophical thinkers like Plato Bhatia and the account to tell their

Bhatia and the account to tell their

Bhatia and the account to tell their artistic story

yes sir okay number two Mad Max fury

yes sir okay number two Mad Max fury road they are looking for help

road they are looking for help

road they are looking for help what about you

what about you

what about you [Music]

attention why it took George Miller 30

attention why it took George Miller 30 years to make another Mad Max film let

years to make another Mad Max film let

years to make another Mad Max film let alone any action film is a mystery

alone any action film is a mystery

alone any action film is a mystery fury road blew audiences away and

fury road blew audiences away and

fury road blew audiences away and received practically unanimous acclaim

received practically unanimous acclaim

received practically unanimous acclaim making many fans wonder angrily why he’d

making many fans wonder angrily why he’d

making many fans wonder angrily why he’d spent so much time on family films

spent so much time on family films

spent so much time on family films Stefan hippity-hoppity full while the

Stefan hippity-hoppity full while the

Stefan hippity-hoppity full while the previous Mad Max movies were great cult

previous Mad Max movies were great cult

previous Mad Max movies were great cult action films

action films

action films fury road elevated The Legend of Mad Max

fury road elevated The Legend of Mad Max

fury road elevated The Legend of Mad Max to a visually stunning masterpiece with

to a visually stunning masterpiece with

to a visually stunning masterpiece with landscapes and scenery akin to beautiful

landscapes and scenery akin to beautiful

landscapes and scenery akin to beautiful paintings and breathtaking practical

paintings and breathtaking practical

paintings and breathtaking practical stunts and effects that came straight

stunts and effects that came straight

stunts and effects that came straight out of a choreographed modern dance

out of a choreographed modern dance

out of a choreographed modern dance routine

routine

routine fury road redefines what it means to be

fury road redefines what it means to be

fury road redefines what it means to be a Hollywood action blockbuster remember

a Hollywood action blockbuster remember

a Hollywood action blockbuster remember me before we reveal our number one pick

me before we reveal our number one pick

me before we reveal our number one pick here are some honorable mentions

number one drive I’ll sit in while you

number one drive I’ll sit in while you running it down I don’t carry a gun the

running it down I don’t carry a gun the

running it down I don’t carry a gun the style and atmosphere of drive clearly

style and atmosphere of drive clearly

style and atmosphere of drive clearly stem from a modern pop culture aesthetic

stem from a modern pop culture aesthetic

stem from a modern pop culture aesthetic obviously inspired by great predecessors

obviously inspired by great predecessors

obviously inspired by great predecessors like thief and two-lane blacktop the

like thief and two-lane blacktop the

like thief and two-lane blacktop the neon drenched cinematography and since

neon drenched cinematography and since

neon drenched cinematography and since heavy soundtrack thankfully brought this

heavy soundtrack thankfully brought this

heavy soundtrack thankfully brought this film to the attention of the masses and

film to the attention of the masses and

film to the attention of the masses and gave it the success and accolades it

gave it the success and accolades it

gave it the success and accolades it deserved but behind the glitz and shiny

deserved but behind the glitz and shiny

deserved but behind the glitz and shiny exterior the focus is drawn to director

exterior the focus is drawn to director

exterior the focus is drawn to director Nicholas Vending Ruffins postmodern take

Nicholas Vending Ruffins postmodern take

Nicholas Vending Ruffins postmodern take on classic heist films and the mythology

on classic heist films and the mythology

on classic heist films and the mythology of the hero narrative it’s storytelling

of the hero narrative it’s storytelling

of the hero narrative it’s storytelling that drags ugliness out of beauty and

that drags ugliness out of beauty and

that drags ugliness out of beauty and tragedy out of a hyper-realistic world

tragedy out of a hyper-realistic world

tragedy out of a hyper-realistic world thanks especially to Ryan Gosling

thanks especially to Ryan Gosling

thanks especially to Ryan Gosling haunting and nuanced performance almost

haunting and nuanced performance almost

haunting and nuanced performance almost got us killed do you agree with our

got us killed do you agree with our

got us killed do you agree with our picks check out these other great clips

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