Top 25 Movie Action Heroes

Action heroes are those characters that thrill us with their derring-do, their dedication to the right things and their defense of the weak and defenseless. When it comes to pure heart pounding action – whether it’s swords, fists or six guns blazing, the action hero cares not, only that the evildoers suffer and the innocent survive. These champions all starred in films that were dedicated to perpetuating that ideal: the mythic nature of heroes in the Greek tradition. Hercules, Achilles and Odysseus were all larger than life and each of the following is exactly that, larger than life.

25. Daniel Craig

Star of the recent rethink of the decades-old James Bond 007 series, Daniel Craig blasted onto the screen with guns blazing and fists swinging, without most of the toys from recent Bond films. Casino Royale, not really a remake, but a whole new imagining, began a new career for the now blond Bond. He is the closest thing to the real James Bond (the character from Ian Fleming) and far more brutal, to point of sadistic. Although he is not exactly a hero, Craig managed to sell the new Casino Royale and people flocked to the theater. Craig’s other films include The Golden Compass, Defiance and Quantum of Solace. All were solid performers, with Craig as a breath of fresh air. He is a welcome throwback to a more manly time.

24. Christopher Lambert

Tarzan and Highlander are enough to include Christopher Lambert on a top 25 action heroes list. I cannot say I’ve ever seen a Tarzan more committed. Lambert’s performance was brilliant. With the exception of the accent, he was Tarzan: frightening and ultimately believable. More amazing was the actor's role as The Highlander. Nearly an overnight cult classic, The Highlander series spawned movie after movie, a TV series and a complete industry around producing swords and armor based on the characters. “There can be only one,” the cry from the immortals in the film, still rings out at competitive events. I credit Lambert for the success. He was able to make the unbelievable believable.

23. Jean Claude Van Damme

I would to expect to get argument if I leave Van Damme off the list. I also expect argument for including him. I’ll admit, Jean Claude Van Damme has had some stinkers, but overall, his films are entertaining, action filled and prove him to be an ass kicker. From Bloodsport to Street Fighter, no one can deny he manages to thrill audiences, at least during the fight scenes. There are two films of note: Universal Soldier and Timecop. Universal Soldier is a cheap attempt at what could have been a great plot, great story and some pretty good action, but it failed (though Van Damme didn’t). Van Damme managed to actually put out a fairly real performance and I enjoyed it. Timecop, on the other hand was a very good Sci-Fi film. Jean Claude Van Damme gave a very good performance, both as the young idealist and as the hard core realist. I was generally caught up in the film and Van Damme’s performance. Also noteworthy, his splits are awesome.

22. Jason Statham

Jason Statham is one of the few actors on the list that are almost pure action heroes. Most all of his films are particularly fast paced thrill rides with bullets flying, knives flashing and fists pounding. Statham is quite the action figure. I’m certainly a fan of his action scenes – they are truly inspired – but his great films are the early ones: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. They rank with some of the best modern gang style films and Statham is great in them. I would like to see him take a few more roles that show both sides of his talent: quick and hearty violence and thoughtful clever planner. It is quite possible that Statham could play the modern Edward G. Robinson or James Cagney.