Action Cinema 2022 Recap: Most Anticipated Film of 2023 and Short Action Film

06.03.2023Ravenside

The most anticipated movie of 2023

John Wick 4 (dir. Chad Stahelski) (25%, 37 votes)

The fact that fans of action films are waiting for the next appearance John Wick on the screen as the most important event is no secret or surprise for us, and, to be honest, we ourselves are really looking forward to it. Over its almost 10-year existence, this character and franchise have captured the hearts and minds of a large number of viewers, and the hard worker Keanu, it seems, has become associated with the terrifying killer Baba Yaga more than with the same “chosen one” Neo.

The increased anticipation specifically for the fourth part is also explained by the fact that Chad Stahelski, the main director of the franchise, takes a smart approach to casting, upping the ante with each new film.

The last picture almost brought (or maybe brought?) the audience to catharsis, calling on the beautiful Halle Berry, and put them up as opponents Yayana Rukhyana, Chechepa Arif Rahman and the coolest Mark Dacascos, whom we finally saw again in a top project.

This time, more serious shocks await us. Attentive viewers spotted a Chilean actor and on-screen fighter of the highest level in the trailer Marco Zarora, who is more than worthy of being in such a film. Marco has always been not only a skilled fighter, but also a charismatic actor. We really hope that he will have plenty of fighting and acting screen time and that he will not be lost after half an hour in a random shootout, although the trailer shows that he will be given the chance to test Reeves in action. 

The most attentive viewers saw in the trailer Scott "Trash" Adkins. We all saw his name in the announcements, we watched the interview Keanu Reeves, who flexed his fingers with inspiration, pronouncing the names of the actors, but they were perplexed: where, where is this omnipresent Briton on the screen?

When the masks came off, Scott's fans gasped. Perhaps one of them said: “Ugh, what nonsense, we expected him to fight Wick in the final and appear in all his glory!” And someone chuckled thoughtfully and expectantly. Our editors happily clapped their hands: finally we saw Adkins in a role unusual for him, albeit grotesque and caricatured, as if he had stepped out of Burton’s footage, but clearly interesting. In addition, it is clear that Adkins himself is in full swing from this. 

As if repaying his past debt, Stahelski finally makes it to the set Hiroyuki Sanadu, our love for whom does not fade. Sanada with a katana at the ready in a cool action movie, what could be better? Only Donnie Yen, crossed sword with him in a fierce battle! Well, isn't this a holiday?

To the already classic cast with the participation Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne и Lance Reddick added Bill Skarsgard и Clancy Brown. Well, the stakes are raised. 

We understand that this will be an action movie to the core, an ideal stunt movie, stylish and beautiful, filled with fashionable neon lights, expensive locations and bulletproof costumes.

To think that “John Wick 4” maybe worse and more boring than the previous parts would be wrong. It is unlikely that anything in this developed scheme can be seriously broken, unless perhaps if you turn a film about “Fast and Furious” or similar schizophrenia. But I think that Chad Stahelski everything is in order, both with taste and with the head. A well-deserved first place among the most anticipated films.

The Expendables 4 (dir. Scott Waugh) (19%, 28 votes)

We remember how 13 years ago the first swallow came out on the screens “The Expendables”, which created a pleasant buzz among fans of old-school action films. The idea of ​​bringing together action idols of the past turned out to be unexpectedly fresh, despite the peculiar “staleness” of the casting, and stirred up a wave of nostalgia and questions as old as time from the series: “who will win Rambo or the Terminator?”

Something Sly frankly it didn’t succeed, but something on the contrary - it hit the nail on the head, but what came out next The second part with the villainous Van Damme, saving the youth miscast with almost one wicket and spectacular shows around the world cemented the high status of the project.

Despite even greater madness on the screen and a bunch of new “old” acquaintances, after the release third part audience interest in the franchise has faded, just as the budgets have faded slightly, and the film itself cannot be called very successful, although there were pleasant splashes in it, like Antonio Banderas, who brought some revitalization and expression to the character line.

It is interesting that the three parts were released with a difference of 2 years, that is, they were released almost one after another, which cannot be said about the fourth we expected, the release of which lasted for 9 years, although it was announced at the post-production stage of the threequel.

The audience gained a little desire, Sylvester and his colleagues took part in other projects for this, and now the long-suffering fourth is looming on the horizon “Expend4bles” with a former stuntman Scott Waugh (“Need for Speed”) in the director's chair, a classic B-movie story about an atomic bomb, and some weird casting.

A few regulars remain on board - this, of course, Sylvester Stallone, who refers to the fact that this part will be the last for him and his Barney Ross, and he transfers the leading role of the main egg-bearer of the team Statham\Christmas, who is not going to disappear anywhere, just like Dolph Lundgren с Randy Couture, remaining in this watering can gang.

Joins the old-timers Iko Uwais in the role of the main commander, which is doubtful and interesting at the same time, plus Tony JAA, strongman Eddie Halland Fifty Cent, Andy Garcia и Megan Fox. The last trinity, hand on heart, is of no importance to us.

Since our site primarily covers martial arts in cinema, the presence of Yuwais and Jaa definitely makes us happy. The main fight choreographer is a stuntman Vlasto Ivanovich, we don't know for sure how much productive screen time Iko and Tony will have, but photos from the set promise us a fight between Uwais and Statham. 

Second place in this category, and we waited The film was released last year, so we continue to wait for this year too, because there is never too much old school.

Tyler Rake: Rescue Mission 2 (dir. Sam Hargrave) (18%, 26 votes) 

First "Tyler Rake", in original “Extraction”, is the directorial debut of a stuntman and action designer Sam Hargrave (“Atomic Blonde”), which gave us a kaleidoscope of chases, shootouts and fights. The movie was shallow, not the most original in plot, and it was clear that the creators threw all their energy into a pure and uncomplicated craft. In this sense, the picture is very similar to the one released recently "The Gray Man", also a rather thoughtless project from the Russo brothers, where non-stop action was performed by a Hollywood star Ryan Gosling. In "Tyler Reike" such a star he performed and will perform again Chris Hemsworth, and the Russos were also not far away, only as producers. 

The first thing that comes to mind in “Rake” is the fight scene, filmed with the effect of one take. Our editors are very fond of such filming and even released two parts of videos dedicated to this film technique.

There is a feeling that “Tyler Rake: Rescue Operation 2” will be a darker and more adult film. Of course, the first part was not at all for children, but rather bloody and there was more than enough “adultness”, but we are not talking about blood or outright scenes of violence, but about drama. Even the picture looks darker and more ascetic. This time around, Hargrave will be teaming up with a veteran stuntman Nun Orsatti (“Ninja Assassin”, “Mechanic”, “Ride Together”), who has about 200 projects under his belt.

Chris Hemsworth was always a good actor, with much bоgreater range than the God of Thunder and Lightning in comic blockbusters or the weirdo in reboots "Men in Black", although he tries his best here and there. 

Maybe "Tyler Rake" will become a new long-running franchise for him, and the character will be revealed from some interesting side, because in films of this kind, the leading actors are often easily replaceable (imagine that Hemsworth is played by the same Gosling, Cavill, Hammer or Pine), and mowing down movie enemies with a bearded In the 21st century, only the lazy or those whose beard does not grow have not tried squinting.

On the other hand, Hargrave has now gained directorial experience and improved his skills, so he may no longer make any mistakes, and Hemsworth is now in an even higher status than he was a couple of years ago.

“Tyler Rake: Rescue Operation 2” completes the top three in this category, and we, as they say, “will watch.”

Short action film

Sifu (dir. Christopher Clark Cowan) (24%, 12 Votes)

“Sifu” from the director Christopher Clark Cowan (“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” “King’s man: The Beginning”) is essentially an advertisement for a game of the same name released in February on PS5. Despite its promotional purpose, the video is made very high quality and cinematically, with a good picture, dramatic music emphasizing the theme of revenge and well-placed accents.

The main character is the owner of a magical talisman, which brings him back to life every time he dies, but after this resurrection the bearer of the talisman becomes several decades older. 

The main role was played by a stuntman and actor Alvin Sin (TV series "The Mandolorian"), and his opponents are Jay Kwon (“Made in Chinatown”), Di Why Sao (“Lord of Shadows”) and others. As the main villain, and essentially a cameo, he appeared in the short film Jen Sang Otherbridge (“In Search of Adventure”, “Bloody Moon”, “Shadow”). There was no duel between him and the main character, but he looked textured on the screen as always.

The choreography in the video is “neoclassical” - a mixture of kung fu stylization and a modern reactive approach. A camera walking in a circle creates the effect of presence and continuity of the take, post-processing of strikes and movements adds mysticism, and kicking an opponent with a wooden box sends greetings “Ong Baku”. The impression is slightly spoiled by the somewhat ridiculous false beard and the strong sketchiness of what is happening, but still this is a short film and an advertisement, and these are not so noticeable disadvantages, since the short film took first place in this category.

Twisted Tigers (dir. Joseph Le) (22%, 11 Votes)

“Rotating Tigers” has a fairly solid 30-minute running time and boasts a full-fledged verified storyline. Plays the main role Tarrel Cota Bullock, whom we remember from the short film “Afro-Samurai Vinaigrette”, nomination participant "Best fight 2019" in the “Editor's Choice” section.

Turrell plays a former street gang member who is haunted by tragic flashbacks from his past and, as a result, PTSD. He masters the martial arts while living a life of humility and a vow of non-violence, but he must stray from his principles to save his students who are stuck in a local gang.

There are not so many on-screen fights as such in the video, and the lion's share of the screen time was spent on the relationship between the main character and his students, revealing storylines and dramatic moments. And this, I must say, is not bad at all, because as a result, the fight scenes are filled with meaning and depth. The brothers choreographed the action Andy Le и Brian Le, which at this point no longer need any introduction. 

The fighting in the film is strong and reminds us of something “Sifu”, which we wrote about above. The same walking camera, simulating the effect of presence and continuity of the frame, the same mixture of kung fu and modern action design. Even the picture and color rendition have a lot in common. 

The final credits give us bloopers and outtakes in the best traditions of old Jackie, and we give the short film “silver” in this category.

Kung-Fu Story (dir. Alexey Minaev) (20%, 10 Votes)

Although the short film is called "Kung Fu Story" there is no story in it, but there is a mini-sketch from a martial arts practitioner and stuntman Alexey Minaev and his two partners - Anton Guryanov и Dmitry Diesel.

The video appears online under a catchy and, frankly, clickbait title “The wushu player killed two thugs in the octagon” which is more true, although these thugs ended up in the octagon almost by accident.

The audience does not know why and why a conflict broke out between the participants, and why these same “thugs”, rolling their eyes, attacked the wushu player, who, admittedly, also, in the atmosphere of the fight hall, looks like a random visitor in his traditional wushu. Maybe he didn't pass face control?

However, is this really so important if the short film does not pretend to have a plot, but shows us a “business card” with strong choreography in the best traditions "Monk" и “Lotus Strike”. The fight culminates in a tribute Jackie Chan, in which to the music from "Police Story" the main character defeats enemies. An unequal battle “two against one”, contrasts in fighting styles, a little humor, exaggerated emotions and bloopers in the credits - all these are traditional elements of the films of old Jackie, which Minaev and his comrades demonstrate with respect for the original and with a sense of proportion. Readers of our site also noted this and gave the short film a bronze medal.

Home » Movie News » Action Cinema 2022 Recap: Most Anticipated Film of 2023 and Short Action Film
Tags: extraction 2, John Wick: Chapter 4, Sifu, The Expendables 4, Twisting Tigers, Alexey Minaev, Anton Guryanov, Jay Kwon, Jason Statham, Di Why Sao, Dmitry Diesel, Donnie Yen, Iko Uwais, results of action cinema 2022, Keanu Reeves, Chris Hemsworth, Marko Zaror, Sylvester Stallone, Scott Adkins, Sam Hargrave, Tony JAA, Hiroyuki Sanada, Chad Stahelski, Alvin Sin

Related materials:

KinoBlitz: Mortal Kombat 2, The Karate Kid 2, Furious, Day Job

ACTION: Documentary series about stuntmen

Interview with Pavel Belba for Denis Soldatov’s channel

Sammo Hung and his life achievements. Part two

Short film "Gentlemen's Fight club" from 2WS Action

"The Prosecutor" with Donnie Yen and "The Running Man" with Glen Powell