Is the true action hero dead?

#1
BadJerry20

BadJerry20

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#1
Just watched The Expendables, and it got me thinking what happened to the action hero? We used to have Sly, Arnold, JCVD, Segal, Norris, Jet Li, Statham, Willis, etc. And while they are still kicking around, only Statham and Willis really do much anymore. So now we have Ryan Reynolds, Chris Evans, and Chris Pine doing the tough guy roles? Just wondering what the hell happened? Sorry random thought.
 
#2
#2
Could be a cultural change in what Americans now view as a 'dangerous' and formidable person. Brut force, muscles, and over-the-top bravery were a staple in the 80's and 90's tough guys.

Seems like there's a new perception of what "real life" tough guys are today. Today's hero isn't a ripped machine gun toting bada$$ who blindly charges in to take on entire armys alone.

They are portrayed as highly trained, smart, and lethal; often using technology and wits instead of muscles to best the bad guys. Jason Borne (Matt Damon) is the posterboy for the new action hero.
 
#3
#3
That's a good point. The hero has changed, but still when they do have the "ass kicker guy" its an odd choice. One guy that could possibly be a new tough guy, would be Ben Foster. Or maybe some MMA guy crossing over, which has already begun. All this being said I'm not really an action guy in the first place, just a random thought.
 
#4
#4
The shift has definitely been towards cunning and guile rather than brute force. Statham and Damon as Bourne are excellent examples.
 
#5
#5
Disagree on Statham, he is definitely a brute force type of guy. Transporter and crank are examples.
 
#6
#6
The rise of comic book movies have cut into the action movies as well. A lot of them have the same idea.
 
#7
#7
Very true, right now comics do have action movies covered right now. I just remember I used to think the old school guys could kick my ass. Now besides Statham and perhaps Jeremy Renner I dont think that at all.
 
#8
#8
BadJerry20 said:
Disagree on Statham, he is definitely a brute force type of guy. Transporter and crank are examples.
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I disagree. I've watched two Conan the Barbarian movies in the last month. I think guys like Arnold and Dolph used a lot of a brute force, and in different ways than Statham. He's strong and will muscle people, but he's not enormous and most fight scenes he has involves him making use of his surroundings to help him. That's what I'm talking about, and it's the same sort of thing you see with Damon as Jason Bourne.
 
#9
#9
milohimself said:
I disagree. I've watched two Conan the Barbarian movies in the last month. I think guys like Arnold and Dolph used a lot of a brute force, and in different ways than Statham. He's strong and will muscle people, but he's not enormous and most fight scenes he has involves him making use of his surroundings to help him. That's what I'm talking about, and it's the same sort of thing you see with Damon as Jason Bourne.
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Well nobody is brute force like those 2 guys. Lol I wouldn't statham is cunning, crafty maybe. But he's gonna come right at you. I dont see any Damon in Statham. Probably in between say a Conan and a Bourne. My point is I don't see most "action guys" that I think he could kick my ass like the old days. Statham I would not fight, Damon I'd beat the snot out of.
 
#10
#10
Arnold and Dolph used a lot of steroids! =D
 
#11
#11
Duane 'The Rock' Johnson might be the closest to the action hero of yesteryear. If he didn't have the tax/legal problems, I think Wesley Snipes could have started taking on more of those types of roles after his performance in the Blade trilogy. I think you'll be seeing more Chris Hemsworth than Ryan Reynolds/Chris Evans for these types of roles in the near future.
 
#12
#12
etmccreary said:
Duane 'The Rock' Johnson might be the closest to the action hero of yesteryear. If he didn't have the tax/legal problems, I think Wesley Snipes could have started taking on more of those types of roles after his performance in the Blade trilogy. I think you'll be seeing more Chris Hemsworth than Ryan Reynolds/Chris Evans for these types of roles in the near future.
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The worst thing that happened to the Rock was the deal he signed with Disney.
 
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#13
#13
etmccreary said:
Duane 'The Rock' Johnson might be the closest to the action hero of yesteryear. If he didn't have the tax/legal problems, I think Wesley Snipes could have started taking on more of those types of roles after his performance in the Blade trilogy. I think you'll be seeing more Chris Hemsworth than Ryan Reynolds/Chris Evans for these types of roles in the near future.
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Love the Rock. He was convincing as a tough guy, and he can actually act. After The Rundown I was excited for him to make a career out of those kinds of movies. He didn't. Sad.
 
#14
#14
n_huffhines said:
Love the Rock. He was convincing as a tough guy, and he can actually act. After The Rundown I was excited for him to make a career out of those kinds of movies. He didn't. Sad.
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I think (hope) he will start to pop up in more of those types of movies (Fast 5 and apparently Fast 6) in the future.
 
#15
#15
n_huffhines said:
Love the Rock. He was convincing as a tough guy, and he can actually act. After The Rundown I was excited for him to make a career out of those kinds of movies. He didn't. Sad.
Click to expand...

Loved the thunder vs. lightning scene :)
 
#16
#16
Another reason you haven't seen the true "action hero" as of late is the rise of the Superhero movies.
 
#21
#21
He's cunning. I mean the old school straight crack your skull guys. Those guys just don't exist anymore.
 
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