9 Action Movie Costumes That Make No Sense

From the impractical to the revealing to the downright stupid: Which costume is the most idiotic?

Pamela Anderson Barb Wire
Gramercy Pictures

Costumes in movies are one of the most underappreciated aspects of production. A great costume that fits the tone and the plot can create iconic images that resonate for years. Halloween fans love inspiration.

However, for every great and fitting costume, there are always the bad ones. An illogical costume that misses the mark can ruin the immersion for the audience. Fans get too distracted by the eye-catching outfits that it stands out like a sore thumb.

Unsurprisingly then, one of the worst perpetrators of impractical wardrobe is the action movie genre.

When you are dodging bullets and crashing cars in an action flick, you want some solid protection. A bulletproof vest? Full coverage? An outfit that can stop those pesky cuts and scrapes?

Apparently not.

In fact, a lot of action movies seem to focus on the marketability of their costumes rather than the practicality. Consequently, most the outfits on this list are clearly designed to attract their audiences rather than actually be useful to their wearers.

9. Angelina Jolie In Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Pamela Anderson Barb Wire
Mutual Film Company

Lara Croft is the female explorer from the long running series of Tomb Raider video games, which received a movie adaption in the 2000s. Angelina Jolie played the titular character in the height of her career and Lara Croft became an action heroine icon. That said, her costume became even more famous for how impractical it is.

Sporting short-shorts and a skin tight tank top, Lara Croft was never truly prepared for her exploits. The costume is taken straight from the video games of course, so you can see why the filmmakers decided to keep it. Still this means Croft goes through countless dangerous situations, all while having as much flesh on show as possible.

The production team clearly wanted to cash in on Jolie's sex appeal and the original Tomb Raider outfit was their easiest way. Still, when she's dodging bullets and dashing through wreckage, you would think that she would want some more protection.

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