10 Best Epic Hollywood Punch-Ups
1. Nada V Frank (They Live)
John Carpenter’s satirical sci-fi from 1988 is a beautifully constructed slaying of corporatism, wrapped up in an alien invasion film. An instant cult classic and all the better for, at its centrepiece, one of the barmiest, over the top fisticuffs scenes ever put to celluloid.
Ex-WWE star ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper is Nada, who – when not chewing gum or kicking ass – discovers an alien infiltration of society thanks to a special pair of sunglasses. Keen to share this revelation with construction work colleague Frank (Keith David) the two men tangle among the trash cans of an alleyway.
What ensues is a six minute fight of brilliant absurdity. A scene chock full of punching, growling, biting, ball-kneeing, butting and the odd suplex. All because one of the men won’t put on a pair of sunglasses.
It’s a fight scene of pure indulgent brilliance – when you think it’s over, another punch gets thrown. And for all the blood, sweat and chaos, the question that remains is: How tight has Roddy Piper got his belt, for that shirt to remain so neatly tucked in?