We continue summing up the results of action cinema for 2018, and in this article we will talk about perhaps the most juicy nominations - “Best Action Film Actor” and “Best Action Film Actress”.
Best Action Film Actor 2018
Scott Adkins (Accident, Collectors, Incoming) (30%, 51 votes)
“Great things require tireless constancy,” said Voltaire. If only the great French poet knew how many times a surname Adkins appears in the results of our voting, I would devote, if not a poem, then a philosophical treatise to Scott’s constancy, and then drink. Let's philosophize, too, but we won't drink. What is so special about Adkins that makes him conquer all our Olympus? The phenomenon of “white hope” fighting games, despite the fact that “nadezhda” turned 42 this summer? A trail from a bearded underground fighter named Boyka, who still can’t leave the prison walls? Scott's incredible work ethic? Or is it all a complex success? We must honestly say that when we formed this nomination this year, we had almost no doubts about Adkins’ victory.
So we have "Accident", where the same familiar Adkins is inside a parable story about a syndicate of hired killers, although one voice-over is not enough to call it a parable. Is this a lucky chance for Scott or an unfortunate one? He had already played a killer, he already wore a leather jacket, with Michael Jai White or Tim Man he has already fought. Did he do anything fundamentally new in this film that he hadn’t done in others? Big question. Write in the comments if you have any ideas.
"Collectors" - already more interesting. An unconventional hero for Scott, more realistic, without the touch of invincibility and a stone head (legs, beards, emphasize as necessary). There is a touch of multi-genre, you can feel the irony of the authors of the film in relation to the characters who constantly overcome obstacles, get into trouble and generally make a bunch of mistakes and mistakes, while not forgetting to show us their rich inner world. But the happy ending is cancelled.
"Incoming" - low-budget science fiction, where Adkins is bad again and has a beard again. Besides bad Adkins, there are bad fights and bad writing. In short, a “perfect” combination of non-ideal elements. But old Scott will pull out something else, the main thing is to put his face on the poster for the film and reflect the same face in the trailer.
So is there anyone who can compete with him? Is it possible, for example, for someone young and gaining momentum? Kan Aydin for new hope in action cinema? Maybe there is someone else in mind? We are in no way making a complaint against Scott, but are simply trying to understand what is happening in the modern fighting game cinema. Do you have anything to say about this? The “send comment” button is waiting for you! We wish Scott Adkins success and more diverse film roles.
Iko Uwais (Night Follows Us, 22 miles) (17%, 29 votes)
"The night is coming for us" Uwais goes after Adkins and is right on his heels. The gap in votes by almost half is, of course, a lot, but still silver, and not a preferential place in the smoking room.
В "Nights" Yuwais is not a random hero with a confused face, but the main villain. Moreover, the villain is in torment and doubt, and therefore, the character has a place to reveal himself, and Iko has a place to play, so, at least from the point of view of the range of characters, the progress of the Indonesian is obvious, although this very face of the villain is still does not look like it.
"22 miles" - here the story is more complicated. Yuwais's character is also ambiguous: neither positive nor negative, but somewhere in the middle. Throughout the film he keeps the main intrigue, and in the end it, of course, breaks through, like a gun shoots, which has been hanging on the wall for a reason throughout the play. To say that the viewer has no idea about anything throughout the entire film is an exaggeration. To say that the shootings and fights in this film are good is a lie. But what we will definitely be honest about is that Iko is in no way inferior to his seasoned co-stars in this film. He is calm, organic and looks confident, although the script, if you can call it that, gives little space for the star of “The Raid” to develop. Even though with great desire Peter Berg could have replaced Yuwais with someone else, he doesn’t look like just “another Asian” on the Hollywood field. So, perhaps, Uwais's real conquest of Hollywood is just around the corner.
Donnie Yen (Chasing Dragons, Big Brother) (13%, 21 votes)
Where would we be without mastodons? - you ask. “We can’t go anywhere without them,” we answer, realizing that someone Donnie Yen - this is our everything.
"Chasing Dragons" - a crime drama based on real events, and part-time acting tandem of Donnie Yen and Andy Lau. The film is based on the life of drug dealer Ng-Sek-ho, who went from rags to riches, from immigrant to drug lord.
In this regard, you shouldn’t expect enchanting on-screen fights from Donny, especially since for half of the film he limps and walks with a cane. But his pretentious mafioso with greased bangs and mustache looks quite bright. The film is controversial: everything seems to be in place, but it’s not worth watching again. Donnie diligently portrays an ambiguous bandit, but the image seems somehow collective, and Andy Lau also does not go beyond the usual. But in any case, this is not a failure.
After the first ten minutes "Big Brother", we thought: well, Donny is no longer young, his retirement age has been extended, we need to take care of ourselves, so we decided to switch to family films. Now, we think, there will be some kind of not very funny comedy or teenage drama, in which the handsome Donnie sets the schoolboy on the right path. We looked and sighed, and then suddenly this started happening! Not just in the best traditions, but in the best traditions of the best traditions. Full-fledged battle scenes, also massive, and with destruction. Mark off a bunch of gopniks? Please. Scatter a team of MMA guys in the corners? Yes, for my dear soul. Will he meet with his childhood enemy and his own demons, while at the same time smashing his school class to pieces? Just give us a reason, we don’t care about property damage!
Donny here seems to remember past exploits: classic spins and throws, wrestling and hand-to-hand combat, a knife and improvised objects. There is something to look at, there is something to review, fortunately everything was filmed quite readably, and not blood from the eyes, although there was also some post-processing.
But with plot content it’s more difficult. The inner world of the hero Ian is not deeply revealed, although the main personality traits and background of the character are dotted out. We know his fate, we understand the transformation, his motivation is clear. In general, nothing superfluous, although they clearly skimped on details and volume.
The lines of the schoolchildren are also drawn quite schematically. In the film, many important problems of teenagers are solved quite quickly and even somehow smoothly, although in reality everything happens far from being so rosy, if not tragic. Separately, it should be said about the habit of the newly-minted teacher in any incomprehensible situation to wave his fists and rather harshly deal with enemies in front of the schoolchildren. This is kind of pedagogy, you know. But still, the film has a moral and it is honest, although it may not cause a deep emotional reaction in the audience. On the other hand, maybe we have become hardened?
Best Action Film Actress 2018
Julia Estell (The Night Follows Us) (27%, 39 votes)
It just so happens that interesting female fights in fighting games are not that common. This does not mean M versus F, but fights in which only women participate. If you remember the 80s or 90s, then you can count the pearls of choreography or even just strong “good performers” on your fingers and leave it at that. It’s clear that in Eastern cinema there are more female fighters and fights with their participation than in America or Europe, but there are not a lot of them either. And if you have examples of good female film fights, comments are always open.
"Night is coming for us" in this sense, a good example. A film made in the style "Reida", and especially its second part, is quite beautiful visually for a small budget, with an attempt to introduce many colorful characters, and, of course, with an abundance of blood, corpses and guts, which cannot be taken away from the Indonesians. If you have guts, be kind enough to let them out, otherwise don’t even get into the frame. One of these characters (not gutless, but bright and colorful) is the winner in this category - Julia Estell. Her heroine is mysterious and silent, looks down on her and clearly thinks a lot about herself, which helps her conceal intrigue. And given that the film’s audience is predominantly male, the intrigue takes on a special shape. Honestly, there is a feeling that the heroine Estelle overshadows the main character and his antagonist.
Among other things, Julia has a very long on-screen duel with two opponents, in which all three girls beat each other for a long time and from the heart. In general, sincerity and emotionality in women’s fights is a separate story, but more on that another time. In terms of choreography, cinematography and battle concept, we have three characters, each with their own image and their own weapons, although their fighting style is not very different from each other. At the same time, the fighting game has both obvious advantages - rhythm, emotionality, good duration, and standard problems - in some places there is slowness in movements and connections, and if one villain attacks, then the second, as a rule, waits for her turn. The question of the appropriateness of bloody details and entrails remains open, let everyone decide for themselves. In our opinion, they could be reduced. But despite this, Julia Estell is good.
Amy Johnston (Accident) (24%, 35 votes)
Amy Johnston already appeared on our list last year in the same category and in the same place (for 2016 Amy took third place), and even partially with the same film. It would seem that there is silver here, silver there, nothing has changed. That’s how it is, but today we will dwell on her role in more detail. IN "Accident" Amy appears before us as a negative character, and this typical trick can be compared to progress Iko Uwaisa, which is written about in the nomination "Best Actor". Johnston is no longer a heroine - God's dandelion, scattering enemies shyly, as if in defiance, but a bitch in leather pants, who received the final battle not with a neighbor or a no-name extra, but with herself Adkins.
And if the flaws in the choreography are not difficult to see, and the fight itself was not particularly original and varied, then you definitely believe in Amy’s bitchiness. Even her look and gait have changed, and it’s not because of the flashy makeup. If she had been in a top project, yes, with a good choreographer, and maybe with other “action” actresses shoulder to shoulder, perhaps things would have gone even faster, because the main distinguishing feature of Amy Johnston is that she is not a stunt woman, namely action movie actress, and maybe not only combat. We believe, we hope, we follow his career. For now - second place.
Jennifer Garner (Crimson Mint) (10%, 14 votes)
Как Liam Neeson opened at one time the half-forgotten gate of films from the “pensioners are back in the saddle” series, and Charlize Theron and its "Blonde" once again returned cinema's interest in the image of a strong woman against male villains. There were many similar films before Theron, the only question is the quality of the final product. Problem "Crimson Mint" not in following the conjuncture, but in total secondaryness, in the swamp of which all potential life shoots have disappeared. To the leading lady Jennifer Garner there are no significant complaints, she seems to fit well into the aesthetics of the genre: strong-willed cheekbones, intent gaze, excellent physical shape - what else is needed? But we need a script, which doesn’t exist, and a breath of fresh air in this stuffy genre about revenge for a family, in which the same Charles Bronson в "Death Wish" 1974 has already said everything that can be said, just look at the numerous sluggish sequels and remakes.
When viewing "Crimson Mint" the viewer doesn’t even have time to really understand what’s happening and get used to the heroine and her family, when suddenly the indestructible death machine Jennifer Garner appears in front of us, who masterfully crushes enemies like Kaptyansky, skillfully mastering martial arts, shooting, tactics and camouflage, as well as psychological readiness to kill everyone. How? Where? It seems that the screenwriter simply tore pieces out of the script to heat the stove with, or his hungry cat chewed the pages, and in this form he sent it to work. The film doesn't have any strong characters or an interesting plot twist, and there's no spectacular action, especially when you compare the film with its similar contemporaries. And there’s no talk of empathy for the characters.
Well done Jennifer Garner? She's great, but everything else is bad. Is her bronze in our voting logical? In the absence of fish and Nevsky - Russian Arnold.
Well, okay, with Nevsky, so be it, it’s too much.
Sofia Boutella (Hotel Artemis) (10%, 14 votes)
"Hotel Artemis" - post-apocalyptic noir. The cinema is glossy and intimate at the same time. The picture is beautiful, the characters are colorful, but the feeling of incompleteness haunts you until the end of the viewing. The film is like a pilot episode of a series or a demo version of a comic book adaptation, it seems that the passions are far-fetched, and in general it is not worth it, and the characters die just like that. Something taken from "Atomic Blonde" and of course "John Wick", something from "Bunraku", something from numerous films whose plot frame is strangers in a confined space, be it a hotel, a hut in the snow, a stuck elevator or a queue at the local social security office. Each has its own line, its own secret and wardrobe with skeletons.
Sofia Boutella not the main character, but one of the plot-forming ones, and her advantages do not end there, because there are also purely visual ones. In addition, we have a fight scene that is somewhat reminiscent of the Indonesian style, in particular the women's fight from "Night is coming for us". A narrow corridor, edged weapons, enemy bodies on the floor. Separately, we note the clever use of contrasting colors - gray walls, a red dress and a scarlet glow from the door, as a result of which the character does not merge with the interior, but stands out sharply and brightly.
The film is more for the eyes than for the brain - there are no revelations, the clichés are thickly smeared, the dialogues are difficult to remember, but there are beautiful locations, costumes, light, color, batista, Jodie Foster and charismatic Goldblum. And Sofia Boutella, which shared bronze in this category with Jennifer Garner.
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Tags: accident man, Big Brother, Chasing the Dragon, Hotel Artemis, Inbound, Mile 22, The Debt Collector, The Night Comes for Us, Crimson Mint, Jennifer Garner, Julia Estell, Donnie Yen, Iko Uwais, results of action cinema 2018, Scott Adkins, Sofia Boutella, Amy Johnston
Tags: accident man, Big Brother, Chasing the Dragon, Hotel Artemis, Inbound, Mile 22, The Debt Collector, The Night Comes for Us, Crimson Mint, Jennifer Garner, Julia Estell, Donnie Yen, Iko Uwais, results of action cinema 2018, Scott Adkins, Sofia Boutella, Amy Johnston
“What is so special about Adkins that he conquers all our Olympus?”
Charisma. I have already written that charisma is extremely important for a film actor, of any genre. This one, what’s his name? ~went to Kinopoisk~ Alena Musi, she is completely absent. And in this case, even if you are a acting genius or a mega-fighter, you will not become popular. However, everything can change with age or experience...
Well...charisma is a very subjective concept, but let's say it. Shall we define it as attractiveness? Adkins comes into the frame and all the audience's eyes are glued to him. He starts talking - we listen with our mouths open. Fighting is just catharsis. So? Perhaps not so. How to define it, calculate it, measure it? You can say that it either exists or it doesn’t, and the viewer will feel it... So why didn’t you feel it before, because before Boyka Adkins had a bunch of films with different lengths of screen time? Let's talk about the impact on the genre, on the generation, given that the fighting genre has died as a basic need for male audiences to watch fighting movies. The last actor who influenced the genre in a global sense is Van Damme. Tony Jaa, with all due respect, was a notable bright spot, but he's not a figure on the same scale. However, one must understand that Van Damme shone during the heyday of the genre, and Tony - already in the era of long post-fighting. So what about Adkins? Ersatz Van Damme? I would say one of the reasons is Scott's "format". He is like a template that is universal in terms of type, national type, figure. There is nothing specific about it, it can be integrated into any movie, it is not tied to any background, it is smooth. With beard. no beard, military man, civilian, physical education teacher, geographer, Russian, German, villain, hero. In principle, anyone with a C grade will do.
Or maybe it's something else.
In short, the question is open)
Ravenside,
He's just a cool guy - outside of the screens, plus he gives his best in conditions in which hardly anyone else can give his best. He has very beautiful acrobatics, with such muscles, it is very impressive. Background, national type - he is British, in terms of European appearance he is very cinematic, a kind of stately brunette, as Badyuk said, “Van Damme, Bruce Lee and Lundgren in one bottle.” Ersatz is too offensive for the man whom Van Damme himself recognized as his successor in the genre
>in any incomprehensible situation, wave your fists and deal quite harshly with enemies in front of schoolchildren. This is kind of pedagogy, you know?
Every school should have a teacher like this. There is no one to teach children the simple truth: bad people are bad because they do not deserve your mercy. Such pedagogy is much more useful than abstract and unconvincing moral teachings about “fists that cannot solve problems.” "Life is Tough" (c) Jack Reacher
Yes, there is Ashley Greene, who is unpleasant to look at and ruined the whole film.
Actors and actresses of action films go in pairs - Adkins and Johnston, Estelle and Uwais. Boutella and Garner, in my opinion, are unworthy of the top
It just so happened that there was no one but them.
Merey Shudanbekov,
In the sense that Garner and Boutella are not enough male couple for this...?
I really liked Sofia Boutella in Ecstasy, the film itself is off topic, but nevertheless, I recommend it
Well done Scott, I'm happy for him. It’s true that Ravenside is holding back its indignation, but what did you want?
Accident and Collectors are strong action films, with humor and dynamics. If in an accident he was a little rushed, hiding behind other actors, then in the collectors it was really interesting to look at him as an actor (not how he fights), together with Luis they sang straight - all the dialogues when they are in the car, this is an excellent script and cinematography and acting work.
Kan Aydin is also good, I also voted for him, he’s like Scott’s younger brother - the same fighter, the same type in appearance, only he dresses more stylishly, looks more like a model or something. And yes, I also voted for Plan B and On the Ropes. Is he also the hope of action cinema? Yes. Can he compete with Scott? Yes maybe. But as long as Scott is in the lead, I think he deserves it.
When asked by Ravenside what is happening in modern fighting games right now
Well, actually Scott Adkins and Kan Aydin are the white hopes of action cinema, no one else can compete with them. Well, this is my opinion, I don’t impose it on anyone.
This is more a literary device than real indignation) Although, I won’t hide, I want both a variety of on-screen fighters in general, and a variety of roles for Adkins. In my opinion, the same "Accident" is average.
Ravenside,
I understand you, I am also for diversity. Donny's transformation into a mafioso is always interesting to watch. Regarding the Accident - well, there will be the following results of the nomination, it will be possible to discuss there
Alex Ship,
Still, Donny initially had more acting charisma than Adkins. They started, as it were, with “unequal sources”) Donnia in his youth often looked funny and stupid, but he was always “lively,” so his acting successes are more logical, in my opinion.