4. Ronin (1998)
Robert De Niro leads a classy ensemble cast in director John Frankenheimers sleek Paris set action thriller. De Niro is a resourceful mercenary whose team is tasked with stealing a briefcase (whose contents are teasingly never revealed) from a group of people whod rather hang on to it. Expertly shot car chases and gun battles ensue. An enjoyably old fashioned thriller thats anchored by De Niros sardonic, weathered soldier of fortune and bolstered with great supporting turns by Jean Reno and Sean Bean. Veteran filmmaker Frankenheimers eye for action leads to arguably two of the best car chases in cinema history, both of which are extended exercises in white knuckle suspense. The film also contains some nice taut set pieces and intriguing character interplay. It's been a long time since De Niro has had a bona fide classic (Showtime aside, obviously) but Ronin is certainly his best work in recent years, with a role that fits him like a glove.