if you want to bring a stunt chase shootout or fight to the big screen
shootout or fight to the big screen
shootout or fight to the big screen these are the folks you call for help
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten action movie directors for this list
action movie directors for this list
action movie directors for this list we’re looking at feature film directors
we’re looking at feature film directors
we’re looking at feature film directors that get us on the edge of our seats and
that get us on the edge of our seats and
that get us on the edge of our seats and keep us there through their masterful
keep us there through their masterful
keep us there through their masterful action sequences and fight scenes
although there are several brilliant
although there are several brilliant directors who use action in their films
directors who use action in their films
directors who use action in their films to great effect we’ve had to exclude
to great effect we’ve had to exclude
to great effect we’ve had to exclude industry legends like Steven Spielberg
industry legends like Steven Spielberg
industry legends like Steven Spielberg forget peace for now we have to show
forget peace for now we have to show
forget peace for now we have to show them we’re strong and Quentin Tarantino
them we’re strong and Quentin Tarantino
them we’re strong and Quentin Tarantino because they’re not as well known for
because they’re not as well known for
because they’re not as well known for their action movie works as they are for
their action movie works as they are for
their action movie works as they are for their efforts in other genres well I won
their efforts in other genres well I won
their efforts in other genres well I won again say what again I dare ya I gotta
again say what again I dare ya I gotta
again say what again I dare ya I gotta get your mother say what one more
get your mother say what one more
get your mother say what one more goddamn time
goddamn time
goddamn time number 10 George Miller kicking off our
number 10 George Miller kicking off our
number 10 George Miller kicking off our list with speed Miller first caught our
list with speed Miller first caught our
list with speed Miller first caught our attention in the late 70s when Mad Max
attention in the late 70s when Mad Max
attention in the late 70s when Mad Max blasted onto the screen
two sequels later he became one of the
two sequels later he became one of the genres heavyweights creating some of the
genres heavyweights creating some of the
genres heavyweights creating some of the most intense car chase sequences ever
most intense car chase sequences ever
most intense car chase sequences ever put on film
in his 2015 magnum opus Mad Max fury
in his 2015 magnum opus Mad Max fury road we again saw brilliant car chase
road we again saw brilliant car chase
road we again saw brilliant car chase sequences elevated to the point of
sequences elevated to the point of
sequences elevated to the point of cinematic brilliance through stunt work
cinematic brilliance through stunt work
cinematic brilliance through stunt work and practical effects
if 6la took place in an apocalyptic
if 6la took place in an apocalyptic wasteland it it looked like a George
wasteland it it looked like a George
wasteland it it looked like a George Miller flesh
number nine Michael Bay it’s an easily
number nine Michael Bay it’s an easily 100 times cooler than Armageddon
100 times cooler than Armageddon
100 times cooler than Armageddon I swear to God say what you want about
I swear to God say what you want about
I swear to God say what you want about the guy he knows how to shoot action my
the guy he knows how to shoot action my
the guy he knows how to shoot action my name is Optimus Prime
name is Optimus Prime
name is Optimus Prime although later works were marred by the
although later works were marred by the
although later works were marred by the overuse of cliches like the spinning
overuse of cliches like the spinning
overuse of cliches like the spinning camera multi shot explosion coverage and
camera multi shot explosion coverage and
camera multi shot explosion coverage and objectifying the female gender phase
objectifying the female gender phase
objectifying the female gender phase body of work features some brilliant
body of work features some brilliant
body of work features some brilliant entries that deserve a place in every
entries that deserve a place in every
entries that deserve a place in every action aficionados library
with mind-blowing entries like the rock
with mind-blowing entries like the rock bad boys
and Armageddon they probably would have
and Armageddon they probably would have placed higher if you just not making
placed higher if you just not making
placed higher if you just not making those damn Transformers movies already
those damn Transformers movies already
those damn Transformers movies already oh god I can’t even tell you how much
oh god I can’t even tell you how much
oh god I can’t even tell you how much I’m not your little bunny number eight
I’m not your little bunny number eight
I’m not your little bunny number eight Paul Verhoeven can you fly Bobby Clarke
Paul Verhoeven can you fly Bobby Clarke
Paul Verhoeven can you fly Bobby Clarke oh this dutch director hit the hollywood
oh this dutch director hit the hollywood
oh this dutch director hit the hollywood mainstream in the 80s with one of the
mainstream in the 80s with one of the
mainstream in the 80s with one of the decades defining action classics Robocop
later adding Total Recall and Starship
later adding Total Recall and Starship Troopers to his resume Verhoeven
Troopers to his resume Verhoeven
Troopers to his resume Verhoeven established intensity frenetic violence
established intensity frenetic violence
established intensity frenetic violence explicit sexual content and societal
explicit sexual content and societal
explicit sexual content and societal send ups as his trademarks fully
send ups as his trademarks fully
send ups as his trademarks fully automatic Morita wants to hold it
automatic Morita wants to hold it
automatic Morita wants to hold it citizen rule people making a better
citizen rule people making a better
citizen rule people making a better tomorrow while all of that may have the
tomorrow while all of that may have the
tomorrow while all of that may have the ratings boards panties in a twist we say
ratings boards panties in a twist we say
ratings boards panties in a twist we say bring it on
in a genre that caters to indulgence
in a genre that caters to indulgence nothing’s better than a director who
nothing’s better than a director who
nothing’s better than a director who shows us what we want and lots of it
shows us what we want and lots of it
shows us what we want and lots of it we’re married consider that a divorce
we’re married consider that a divorce
we’re married consider that a divorce number seven yook Bissell to keep your
number seven yook Bissell to keep your
number seven yook Bissell to keep your mouth up a Loutre guy can appreciate Oh
mouth up a Loutre guy can appreciate Oh
mouth up a Loutre guy can appreciate Oh turns out France produces more than just
turns out France produces more than just
turns out France produces more than just delicious pastries and wine
delicious pastries and wine
delicious pastries and wine yuck Bissell is one of the pioneers of
yuck Bissell is one of the pioneers of
yuck Bissell is one of the pioneers of the stylized movement cinemas ooh look
the stylized movement cinemas ooh look
the stylized movement cinemas ooh look heavily used in its first action for a
heavily used in its first action for a
heavily used in its first action for a La Femme Nikita
with his characteristic lush visuals in
with his characteristic lush visuals in full effect
full effect
full effect vessel then made his mark on the jars
vessel then made his mark on the jars
vessel then made his mark on the jars history with Leon the professional I
history with Leon the professional I
history with Leon the professional I work for you in exchange you teach me
work for you in exchange you teach me
work for you in exchange you teach me how to clean since then
how to clean since then
how to clean since then he’s continued to solidify his legacy
he’s continued to solidify his legacy
he’s continued to solidify his legacy with the Fifth Element Lilu and Lucy
with the Fifth Element Lilu and Lucy
with the Fifth Element Lilu and Lucy some they put a bag of drugs in me I
some they put a bag of drugs in me I
some they put a bag of drugs in me I need you to remove it it’s leaking
need you to remove it it’s leaking
need you to remove it it’s leaking apparently he’s got a thing for kick-ass
apparently he’s got a thing for kick-ass
apparently he’s got a thing for kick-ass women but then again who doesn’t who
women but then again who doesn’t who
women but then again who doesn’t who number six
number six
number six Kathryn Bigelow Bigelow quickly shouted
Kathryn Bigelow Bigelow quickly shouted
Kathryn Bigelow Bigelow quickly shouted down the notion that women can’t direct
down the notion that women can’t direct
down the notion that women can’t direct action managing to blend in as both a
action managing to blend in as both a
action managing to blend in as both a mainstream heavyweight and an artist she
mainstream heavyweight and an artist she
mainstream heavyweight and an artist she first blew our minds with three
first blew our minds with three
first blew our minds with three back-to-back action classics blue steel
and strange days with the latter two
and strange days with the latter two being produced by her now ex-husband
being produced by her now ex-husband
being produced by her now ex-husband James Cameron later in her career she
James Cameron later in her career she
James Cameron later in her career she used action to create moments of
used action to create moments of
used action to create moments of insurmountable tension and drama while
insurmountable tension and drama while
insurmountable tension and drama while also getting across clear political
also getting across clear political
also getting across clear political messages as seen with the Best Picture
messages as seen with the Best Picture
messages as seen with the Best Picture and Best Director winning The Hurt
and Best Director winning The Hurt
and Best Director winning The Hurt Locker and 2012 zero dark thirty yeah
Locker and 2012 zero dark thirty yeah
Locker and 2012 zero dark thirty yeah anything bin laden farmer on the Afghan
anything bin laden farmer on the Afghan
anything bin laden farmer on the Afghan border near toward war reports a
border near toward war reports a
border near toward war reports a diamond-shaped pattern of the hills told
diamond-shaped pattern of the hills told
diamond-shaped pattern of the hills told me on the center the diamond plane by
me on the center the diamond plane by
me on the center the diamond plane by four guards consistent with UBS
four guards consistent with UBS
four guards consistent with UBS movements number five Tony Scott
posthumously hailed as one of the great
posthumously hailed as one of the great action directors of all time Tony Scott
action directors of all time Tony Scott
action directors of all time Tony Scott is fondly remembered for bringing some
is fondly remembered for bringing some
is fondly remembered for bringing some of action cinemas most classic films to
of action cinemas most classic films to
of action cinemas most classic films to life I feel the need
life I feel the need
life I feel the need hey first be not sacrificing character
hey first be not sacrificing character
hey first be not sacrificing character and story for action Scots works were
and story for action Scots works were
and story for action Scots works were aggressive and exciting and punctuated
aggressive and exciting and punctuated
aggressive and exciting and punctuated by his unmistakable shooting style
with his most notable early career work
with his most notable early career work being the decade defining top gun
being the decade defining top gun
being the decade defining top gun Scott’s career would later be filled
Scott’s career would later be filled
Scott’s career would later be filled with wonderful works from true romance
with wonderful works from true romance
with wonderful works from true romance two men on fire
this final directing effort unstoppable
this final directing effort unstoppable brilliantly made a runaway train the
brilliantly made a runaway train the
brilliantly made a runaway train the film’s antagonist a feat only possible
film’s antagonist a feat only possible
film’s antagonist a feat only possible by an action master number four John
by an action master number four John
by an action master number four John McTiernan right not only abled but
McTiernan right not only abled but
McTiernan right not only abled but dedicated to building a tense and
dedicated to building a tense and
dedicated to building a tense and gripping story around his action John
gripping story around his action John
gripping story around his action John McTiernan has managed to direct not one
McTiernan has managed to direct not one
McTiernan has managed to direct not one not two but three of the all-time great
not two but three of the all-time great
not two but three of the all-time great action films predator come on kill me
action films predator come on kill me
action films predator come on kill me I’m here
I’m here
I’m here die hard next time you have a chance to
die hard next time you have a chance to
die hard next time you have a chance to kill someone don’t hesitate
thanks for the advice and The Hunt for
thanks for the advice and The Hunt for Red October he’s not going to change his
Red October he’s not going to change his
Red October he’s not going to change his mind you’re willing to bet your life on
mind you’re willing to bet your life on
mind you’re willing to bet your life on that as a pretty clear result he
that as a pretty clear result he
that as a pretty clear result he cemented himself among the Great’s with
cemented himself among the Great’s with
cemented himself among the Great’s with action that never feels forced
action that never feels forced
action that never feels forced because a mother some dismisses films as
because a mother some dismisses films as
because a mother some dismisses films as mindless blockbusters and okay sure his
mindless blockbusters and okay sure his
mindless blockbusters and okay sure his movies may be a bit over the top but
movies may be a bit over the top but
movies may be a bit over the top but that’s why we love them okay mother
that’s why we love them okay mother
that’s why we love them okay mother as a matter of fact we need more
as a matter of fact we need more
as a matter of fact we need more over-the-top action in this day and age
over-the-top action in this day and age
over-the-top action in this day and age this is the choppa number three Michael
this is the choppa number three Michael
this is the choppa number three Michael Mann yeah this is Jimmy I got explosions
Mann yeah this is Jimmy I got explosions
Mann yeah this is Jimmy I got explosions are cool but they’re only as good as the
are cool but they’re only as good as the
are cool but they’re only as good as the stories they’re founded because I spend
stories they’re founded because I spend
stories they’re founded because I spend all my time chasing guys like you around
all my time chasing guys like you around
all my time chasing guys like you around the block that’s my life no one knows
the block that’s my life no one knows
the block that’s my life no one knows this better than Michael men whose
this better than Michael men whose
this better than Michael men whose expertly crafted and precise sequences
expertly crafted and precise sequences
expertly crafted and precise sequences come organically from the film’s plots
this is seen time and again in classics
this is seen time and again in classics like The Last of the Mohicans heat and
like The Last of the Mohicans heat and
like The Last of the Mohicans heat and collateral
in his films man repeats themes and
in his films man repeats themes and motifs with his blend of emotion style
motifs with his blend of emotion style
motifs with his blend of emotion style violence and intriguing plot elements
violence and intriguing plot elements
violence and intriguing plot elements benefiting as a result represent what’s
benefiting as a result represent what’s
benefiting as a result represent what’s going what’s my work his ability to
going what’s my work his ability to
going what’s my work his ability to bring deep and dynamic characters to
bring deep and dynamic characters to
bring deep and dynamic characters to life is unparalleled and causes tension
life is unparalleled and causes tension
life is unparalleled and causes tension that mounts to a point of ignition oh
that mounts to a point of ignition oh
that mounts to a point of ignition oh she got huh what we’re left with is a
she got huh what we’re left with is a
she got huh what we’re left with is a gritty and raw action experience
number two John Woo I’d like to take his
number two John Woo I’d like to take his his face Oh making a big name for
his face Oh making a big name for
his face Oh making a big name for himself in Hong Kong before bringing his
himself in Hong Kong before bringing his
himself in Hong Kong before bringing his work to North America Hollywood couldn’t
work to North America Hollywood couldn’t
work to North America Hollywood couldn’t wait to get their hands on this stylized
wait to get their hands on this stylized
wait to get their hands on this stylized master of the genre
his resume from his days in Asia is
his resume from his days in Asia is impressive enough with films like
impressive enough with films like
impressive enough with films like hard-boiled and a better tomorrow making
hard-boiled and a better tomorrow making
hard-boiled and a better tomorrow making their mark but most of us know him for
their mark but most of us know him for
their mark but most of us know him for Broken Arrow damn what a rush
Broken Arrow damn what a rush
Broken Arrow damn what a rush face-off it’s like looking at a mirror
face-off it’s like looking at a mirror
face-off it’s like looking at a mirror only not admission impossible to
even if you don’t know his name you
even if you don’t know his name you almost certainly know his work as no one
almost certainly know his work as no one
almost certainly know his work as no one does slow motion dual wielding gunfights
does slow motion dual wielding gunfights
does slow motion dual wielding gunfights like him
before our top pick yells action here
before our top pick yells action here are a few honorable mentions
Oh dodge this number one James Cameron
Oh dodge this number one James Cameron I’ll be back
I’ll be back
I’ll be back he’s the man behind some of the
he’s the man behind some of the
he’s the man behind some of the highest-grossing and most exciting films
highest-grossing and most exciting films
highest-grossing and most exciting films ever
with a storied career that includes
with a storied career that includes masterpieces like The Terminator
masterpieces like The Terminator
masterpieces like The Terminator get out true lies you’ve ever killed
get out true lies you’ve ever killed
get out true lies you’ve ever killed anyone yeah but they were all bad aliens
Cameron’s legacy is undeniable as a
Cameron’s legacy is undeniable as a director he utilizes the excitement of
director he utilizes the excitement of
director he utilizes the excitement of action to make us laugh scare us or
action to make us laugh scare us or
action to make us laugh scare us or sweep us off our feet get away from her
sweep us off our feet get away from her
sweep us off our feet get away from her you bitch whether he’s warning against
you bitch whether he’s warning against
you bitch whether he’s warning against corporate greed proving that humans and
corporate greed proving that humans and
corporate greed proving that humans and machines don’t always get along or
machines don’t always get along or
machines don’t always get along or introducing yet another kick-ass female
introducing yet another kick-ass female
introducing yet another kick-ass female protagonist broke my arm
protagonist broke my arm
protagonist broke my arm there are 215 bones in the human body
there are 215 bones in the human body
there are 215 bones in the human body that’s one no Cameron is an
that’s one no Cameron is an
that’s one no Cameron is an oscar-winning director who never fails
oscar-winning director who never fails
oscar-winning director who never fails to hit the mark no matter how much work
to hit the mark no matter how much work
to hit the mark no matter how much work or money it takes you’re fired
his action is the reason we find movies
his action is the reason we find movies magical and for that he’s earned the top
magical and for that he’s earned the top
magical and for that he’s earned the top spot on our list come with me if you
spot on our list come with me if you
spot on our list come with me if you want to live do you agree with our list
want to live do you agree with our list
want to live do you agree with our list this is some Sexton what action movie
this is some Sexton what action movie
this is some Sexton what action movie directors did we miss
for more top 10s on your favorite and
for more top 10s on your favorite and explosion heavy films published every
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