47 - X-Men 2
Bryan Singer's X-Men is often overlooked in the post Nolan/post Avengers world that we now live in. It was the success of X-Men that kick started the resurgence of interest in Marvel and comic book adaptations. By giving us a darker and more adult superhero movie, Singer successfully brought one of the more difficult franchises to life. However, X-Men 2 (or X-2) was where the franchise hit its stride. The fights are slicker, the characters are cooler and finally we get to see Wolverine kill some folks the way only Wolverine can. It may have dated slightly compared to the new kid on the block, The Avengers, but X-Men 2 is still a great superhero ensemble.
Best bit: Knightcrawler single handedly taking out the White House security force.
46 Predator
If you havent seen Predator, then Im sorry to tell you that when it comes to action, youre uninitiated. Outside of the Terminator series, Predator was one of the major contributing factors to Arnold Schwarzeneggers meteoric rise to prominence as actions MVP and any self-respecting list of great actioners would be remiss without due homage. Predator features choppers (as in get to the), muscles, Arnie, Jessie The Body Ventura, a mini-gun, pissed off commandos and an even more pissed off alien hunter bent on dominating and murdering his prey. What more could you possibly want from an action movie? Its so stark, so lean and devoid of waffle and so intensely entertaining for almost every single second of its runtime that in certain circles it could easily be contender for greatest movie ever! Timeless films are few and far between. Timeless
action films are an even rarer occurrence. And thats why Predator is so special; it never seems to age. Its true. Go back and watch it again; youll find its quite as entertaining now as its always been. Go ahead, Ill wait
Best bit: Jesse The Body Ventura goes bats**t crazy, murders trees.
45 - Starship Troopers
Paul Verhoeven once again graces this list with his subtle, restrained and almost art house depictions of violence. Oh no, sorry, I mean he graces this list with his ultraviolent gore fests and once again pushes the envelope on what the American censors will allow. Once again we are looking to space for the source of our bloody thrills, but this time it is an intelligent race of giant insects nicknamed the arachnids (though none have eight legs.....). We follow the most American looking people ever born as they go from graduation to military basic training to the front lines. The whole thing is about America's war warmongering ways but forget that, forget the smart undertones. Focus on what is important here. Awesome special effects, awesome action and possibly the most literal evil mastermind in cinema history.
Best bit - Rico's epic f**k up on a live fire exercise.