Action is one of the best genres to pick if you want to lose yourself in a movie. Thepoint is that action films are thrilling and occasionallyjust what you need. The year 2022 has been enjoyable because studios have finished releasing films that had been delayed by the pandemic for up to two or three years. The action movie lineup for 2022 was particularly intriguing because it featured new iterations of many cherished properties from renowned directors.
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FromEverything Everywhere All at OncetoBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, this year’s new slate has it all, featuring numerous superheroes across live action and animation. There are enough action-packed films that feature “fists flying in the air,““thrilling races against the clock,” or “mind games with some ammo thrown in there too.”
‘Jurassic World Dominion’ - 29%
The movieJurassic World Dominionintroduces several new characters who overwhelm its “star,” Owen Grady, in the movie’s true narrative which requires some time to properly unravel and fully understand. In a movie that seems devoted to feeding the audience this idea of recreating the past but with new and better genetics.
Jurassic World Dominionsucceeds because of the nostalgia of seeing Dr. Settler, Dr. Grant, and Dr. Malcolm working together again. They remind audience that this trilogy’s duo was a failed attempt to replicate the magic of Jurassic Park.
‘Secret Headquarters’ - 44%
Secret Headquarters’logline raises doubts about Jack’s identity as The Guard, a superhero. The premise of Jack is typical of 90s films, with a workaholic absent father who doesn’t get to spend much time with his child. Although the script is standard, the movie never fully develops the idea.
Henry JoostandAriel Schulman, who collaborated on writing and directingProject Powerfor Netflix in 2020, have experience with the superhero genre. But ultimately, this movie works better because of its overall positive vibe, maturity, and sense of humor.
‘The Gray Man’ - 46%
The Gray Man, one of Netflix’s star-studded movies till now, is nothing less than a mix ofFast and Furiouswith any other action movie franchise one can think of.The Gray Manis the first book of a proposed series based on the same-titled novel byMark Greaney. The idea is to rely on the popularity of the original adaption, which has been streaming on Netflix since its constrained theatrical run.
The action is so all-consuming that one forgets to stop and use reason. It is worth mentioning the cast ofChris Evansas a villain after almost a decade of him being the righteous superhero as Captain America in MCU. It goes against the grain, yet it succeeds splendidly.The Gray Manis a thrilling and entertaining distraction that can be compared to James Bond’s007and all the other secret agent “O’s” in various ways.Ryan Goslingplays Six well, yet he’s noDaniel CraigorSean Connery.
‘Ambulance’ - 69%
Another person who occasionally doesn’t seem to know when to stop isMichael Bay. While Bay’s early career is full of outrageous action movies that were fun to enjoy, includingBad Boys, andArmageddon, his latter work sometimes feels like a grind that never knows when to end.
But withAmbulance, Bay has rediscovered that earlier version of himself, when he could go big and absurd and maintain a level of excitement and enjoyment throughout an entire picture.Ambulanceis Bay’s sixteenth movie and his first theatrical release since 2017.Ambulancebegins immediately and doesn’t stop until the very end. For the first time in a very long time, Bay creates an adventure that is captivating from start to finish.
‘Sonic The Hedgehog 2’ - 69%
Another triumph for Paramount has beenSonic the Hedgehog 2. Our hero, Tails, navigates through conflicts, friendship, family, and the sacrifices made by heroes. The legendaryJim Carey, aka Eggman, is incredible!
Sonic 2 concentrates on Sonic and his new allies and foes. It’s simply amazing how wellJeff Fowlerhas managed to bring the crazy environment and characters of the Sonic the Hedgehog video games into the real world.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ - 84%
An ode toChadwick Boseman,Black Panther: Wakanda Foreveris one of the most emotional movies Marvel has made in its phases so far. StarringLupita Nyong’o,Danai Gurira,Letitia Wright,Winston Duke,Angela Bassett, andMartin Freeman,Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverblends the boundaries between a hero and an anti-hero with the introduction of righteous rage.
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Boseman’s passing serves as a reminder that some things are irretrievable and that the only thing we can do is learn to live with loss, as Shuri ultimately must. Her approach to dealing with losing T’Challa, however, entails finding a way to deal with her grief by using science and ingenuity to solve the problem of the divine guardianship of Wakanda. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever might not be the ideal MARVEL film, but it does demonstrateits value as a link between Phases 4and 5, as well as from the desolation of loss to a secure foundation from which a new generation can advance.
‘The Northman’ - 89%
The NorthmanbyRobert Eggersis a bleak and bloody Viking story that is a cruel tale of retaliation and common barbarism. Along withNicole Kidman,Ethan Hawke,Anya Taylor-Joy,Willem Dafoe, and Icelandic singing phenomenonBjörkas the Seeress, the movie also stars an utterly seethingAlexander Skarsgrd.
The Northman and Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, have a lot in common structurally. By drawing viewers through a fierce attachment to familial honor,The Northmanforces audiences to deconstruct oppressive patriarchal values, poisonous masculine heroism, and the foolishness of retaliation. Unlike in his earlier works, Eggers' kind of psychological shock is bolder here and more forceful in bursts, yet it hardlysucceeds on the basis of boldness alone.
‘The Woman King’ - 94%
InThe Woman King,Viola Daviscommands an all-female army of warriors that free enslaved women in 1823. The movie, which was directed byGina Prince-Bythewoodand also featuresJohn Boyega, features some of the most exciting action sequences this year.
The movie is a coming-of-age character study in addition tohaving many well-executed action setpieces. After the start, the narrative takes its time to develop all the intricate elements of its world. Beyond Nawi and Nanisca, who bond as they get to know one another better, there are tonnes of other fascinating characters who all shine.
‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ - 95%
As a laundromat owner who finds she is a part of a vast multiverse and must use all of her parallel selves to combat an evil entity,Michelle Yeohdoes an outstanding job. As she switches between “herself,” it can be confusing at first, but you’ll adore the action and Michelle Yeoh’s flawless portrayal.
Everything Everywhere All at Oncetruly lives up to its title with a perfectly calibrated assault on the senses, as stated in theRotten Tomatoes consensus: “Led by an amazing Michelle Yeoh.“The movie is much more than just a straightforward account of a family; it explores themes of love, relationships, human emotions, needs, wants, and potential, while also incorporating aspects of romance, drama, satire, science fiction, action, and adventure.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ - 96%
Top Gun: Maverickwas a big hit worldwide.Tom Cruisereprises the role of Maverick and proves the point that actors like him are evergreen. Tom Cruise’s star power is so potent thatTop Gun: Mavericknot only helped preserve the summer film industry, but the action-packed sequel is now being considered for the Academy Award.
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The Tom Cruise-led sequel also saw a nearly 400% risein viewing for the 1986 original movie and a 140% increase for theMission Impossiblefranchise films.Miles Tellerplays the son of Tom Cruise’s late co-pilot, Goose, in Maverick, which also pays a fitting tribute to what might have beenVal Kilmer’slast starring appearance.
