Theaction genreis one that’s constantly evolving and progressing to new heights; every time another great action movie comes along, the influence of that project can be felt on the genre as a whole. Franchises likeJohn WickandJason Bourneplayed crucial roles in the shift towards more dynamic action movies that utilize fluid camera movements and intricate choreography, while series such asJames Bondhave impacted the tropes and conventions of action storytelling. Thebest action moviesare the ones that push boundaries, and there have been plenty of recent examples of this.
Incidentally, streaming services such as Netflix have been hugely important in changing the way audiences interact with the action genre, starting multiple big-budget franchises that are perfect for at-home viewing. Movies likeExtractionhave become some ofNetflix’s best-performing moviesthanks to their fast-paced storytelling that doesn’t demand too much attention or investment to enjoy. All of these movies have progressed action cinema in some way, starting trends that have quickly been picked up and incorporated into other entries in the genre.
This Is Perhaps The Single Greatest Fight Scene In Any Movie
Oldboy Has A Brilliant One-Shot Fight Sequence
Park Chan-wook’sOldboytells the story of a violent man who’s been held captive for several years, who finds himself suddenly released and forced to uncover the identity of his captor using just a cell phone and some money. The movie features an incredibly memorable hallway fight scene in which Choi Min-sik’s protagonist takes down a swarm of attackers in an enclosed corridor.The sequence is filmed like a side-scrolling video game, focusing solely on the main character as he takes down the entire gang with some makeshift weapons and well-timed dodges.
20-Year-Old Revenge Thriller’s Re-Release Outgrosses Its Original Run
The recent re-release of Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy has struck box office gold, earning more than its initial North American run in five days.
What’s so impressive aboutOldboy’s hallway fight scene, beyond the delicate choreography and stunt work, is the energy that Park Chan-wook manages to create on the screen.There’s an incredible amount of tensionand apprehension that leads up to the sequence, making that first punch even more satisfying. The fight also feels extremelyrealand authentic; the character doesn’t have any game-changing superpowers, but rather he takes several dangerous hits before ultimately coming out on top. This helps build the tension even further and immerse the audience in the moment.
Action Cinema Wouldn’t Be The Same Without Oldboy
The Movie Has Influenced The Most Successful Action Movies
Oldboywas undeniably one of the most influential action movies of the early 2000s, and many of today’s most popular films were clearly inspired by its fluid direction and energetic filmmaking.The firstJohn Wickmovie is an obvious example, with similarly dynamic fights that have the protagonist bleeding on his knees before unleashing some brutal kills with unconventional weapons.John Wick’s violent deathsare clearly inspired byOldboy, and in turn, they inspired many other projects that followed.
Additionally,Oldboyhas notably inspired some of the MCU’s most prolific fight scenes, fromGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s hallway rumble to Daredevil’s many alleyway brawls. It was one of the first examples of such a tightly confined fight that also managed to feel spacious and alive, which was all done through Chan-wook’s energetic direction. Another great example is the elevator fight inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier, which feels like a much crisper and brighter example of the same idea.
What Are The Other All-Time Great Action Movie Fight Scenes?
Oldboy Isn’t The Only Action Movie To Push Boundaries
Throughout the years, there have beenmany incredible cinematic fight scenesthat pushed the boundaries of what movies could do. Classic adventure movies likeRaiders of the Lost ArkandThe Mummyperfectly demonstrated how to capture the electricity of hand-to-hand combat, while projects such asBraveheartandGladiatorlater shifted towards amuch grander, orchestrated type of fight scenethat included hundreds of background extras and stunt doubles. This trend was especially present in historical and fantasy epics, withThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towershaving perhaps the most iconic example with the Battle of Helm’s Deep.
In recent years, there’s been a more evident shift towards tighter, intricate fight sequences that use sharp camera movements to capture the energy of the combat.
In recent years, there’s been a more evident shift towards tighter, intricate fight sequences that use sharp camera movements to capture the energy of the combat. This started with scenes like the home invasion inJohn Wick, and later manifested inaction moviessuch asNobodyandAtomic Blonde. Both of these movies have fierce, bloody fight sequences that use enclosed locations to increase tension and allow their protagonists to interact with their environment in unique ways.
Oldboy
Cast
Oldboy follows the story of a man mysteriously imprisoned for 15 years without explanation. Upon his release, he embarks on a quest to uncover the identity of his captors and understand the motivations behind their actions. This gripping tale navigates through themes of vengeance and discovery.
