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The 1980s were a great decade for action flicks - you could probably run a poll with 50 options here as to which was the greatest action flick of the decade, so many classics were made during those 10 years, and I probably forgot quite a few (had to be a bit selective on the Arnie/Sly movies there).

For me it's a bit of a toss up between Die Hard, Aliens and Raiders. Though my top three would most probably be:

1. Aliens
2. Raiders
3. Die Hard

Interesting question.  A lot of good movies on that list.

For some reason I have trouble grouping Raiders on the list.  It doesn't seem quite like the others.

All in all though I'm going to go with RoboCop.

Really tough poll.

My top three off the list:

Conan the Barbarian
Robocop
Big Trouble in Little China

Top 2 are Red Dawn and Die Hard, but I can't choose one.

Quote from: sbr on September 23, 2012, 01:06:46 AM
Top 2 are Red Dawn and Die Hard, but I can't choose one.

I adore Red Dawn, but to consider it one of the best two action movies of the 1908s is just silly.

Very difficult to choose. So many awesome ones:

Conan the Barbarian
Aliens
Robocop
Predator

Where is Heartbreak Ridge?

Quote from: Hansmeister on September 23, 2012, 02:14:53 AM
Where is Heartbreak Ridge?

"Other".

Voted for Predator, but Total Recall should be on the list.

Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 23, 2012, 03:06:28 AM
Voted for Predator, but Total Recall should be on the list.

It would have been if it hadn't been released in 1990. Which, for clarity, is not part of the 80s.

Raiders, then Empire, then the rest of the movies in those series, then Die Hard.

Quote from: Syt on September 23, 2012, 03:11:38 AM

Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 23, 2012, 03:06:28 AM
Voted for Predator, but Total Recall should be on the list.

It would have been if it hadn't been released in 1990. Which, for clarity, is not part of the 80s.

It was 80s in spirit.  :blush:

Impossible to choose! :o

Quote from: Hansmeister on September 23, 2012, 02:14:53 AM
Where is Heartbreak Ridge?

While I enjoy Heartbreak Ridge quite a bit, it is hard to rank it well with other 80's action flicks.  The only "action" is right at the end, and it is easily quite weak compared to films like Die Hard.

 :area52: :area52:

So many great movies, can't vote.

Quote from: lustindarkness on September 23, 2012, 10:57:16 AM
So many great movies, can't vote.

Yeah, the term "action flick" is too broad;  there's several genres in that list, from cop-and-buddy flicks to Reagantosterone hits.

I wouldn't even put Die Hard, Raiders or possibly even Aliens in there, as they actually transcend the basic concept of "action flick":  they're of the highest cinematic experience, they're what movies are all about in the greatest sense.

I agree with Beeb that Raiders doesn't belong on the list.  If it did, it would be #1.  Every frame, every line of dialogue, is perfect.  A flawless movie.

So of the ones that are action flics, Aliens then Die Hard.

Same with Empire Strikes Back, that could also be categorized as an Action Movie, and did not even make it to Syt's list.

I thought about whether to include Raiders or not - I decided in favor, because I find the action set pieces to be very dominant in that one and they're what stick with you.

I decided against putting Empire on the list because while the action scenes are very good and memorable, it's more remembered for its story IMHO. YMMV.

EDIT: I regret not putting The Road Warrior on the list, though.

You also left off Mega Force.  :mad:

Quote from: lustindarkness on September 23, 2012, 11:40:29 AM
Same with Empire Strikes Back, that could also be categorized as an Action Movie, and did not even make it to Syt's list.

I would characterize Empire strikes back and Raiders of the Lost Ark "Adventure" films, though if you are going to include them, why omit the Mad Max films?  Die Hard is the best example of classic "80's action" I think there is.  I admit, I have a weak spot for 1980's action films.  Great stunt work, hokey one liners, little to no CGI.

There's A Better Tomorrow which started the trend but it has to be The Killer which is more than an action flick though.
Of course, it only arrived in the West in the early '90s like A Better Tomorrow  :hmm:

Where is Death Wish 3?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvSwpljtxlg

That seems pretty damn action..able to me.

Quote from: Razgovory on September 23, 2012, 11:55:10 AM

Quote from: lustindarkness on September 23, 2012, 11:40:29 AM
Same with Empire Strikes Back, that could also be categorized as an Action Movie, and did not even make it to Syt's list.

I would characterize Empire strikes back and Raiders of the Lost Ark "Adventure" films, though if you are going to include them, why omit the Mad Max films?  Die Hard is the best example of classic "80's action" I think there is.  I admit, I have a weak spot for 1980's action films.  Great stunt work, hokey one liners, little to no CGI.

Indeed and especially so.

The general absence of hokey one liners is one of the reasons Aliens beats out Die Hard.  Although most of the Jar Head manly talk is pretty cringe-inducing.  With the obvious exception of Valasquez' line, one of the best lines EVAH.

I may be in the minority here but hokey one-liners are part of why I love 80s action flicks.

Quote from: Tonitrus on September 23, 2012, 11:54:35 AM
You also left off Mega Force.  :mad:

Oh, that's a fun movie.

I think Die Hard is the most important, but of the ones I've seen Raiders is probably the best, although it's a toss-up.

I don't feel the the Star Wars movies count either, but if they did, I'd vote Return of Jedi.

Quote from: Tonitrus on September 23, 2012, 11:54:35 AM
You also left off Mega Force.  :mad:

I'll have to see if that abortion is on netfux.

In those kind of pools, I always vote for Commando.

Wait, Raiders?  What the hell am I saying?  Obviously, I meant Temple of Doom.

Without question, Die Hard.

I really enjoy most of the others, but Die Hard stays with you.

Quote from: Grey Fox on September 23, 2012, 07:38:08 PM
In those kind of pools, I always vote for Commando.

King of the One Liners. :cool: