A lament for lost carnage — and coherence — of action movies.

December 3, 2012 12:00 am
At [one] time T2 seemed bombastic and excessive; now its emphasison characters and storytelling impact seems quaint.
At [one] time T2 seemed bombastic and excessive; now its emphasison characters and storytelling impact seems quaint.

A lament for lost carnage — and coherence — of action movies. Read more: Action Movies Don’t Have to Suck by Vern.Vern’s website: The Life and Art of VernPublished on August 17, 2012

Movies like Salt, Taken, Quantum of Solace, Gamer, The Grey, and Warrior have the kinds of plots that used to be written to string together fights and chases, but the action is so muddled and incoherent it might as well be left out.might as well be left out.

Movies like Salt, Taken, Quantum of Solace, Gamer, The Grey, and Warrior have the kinds of plots that used to be written to string together fights and chases, but the action is so muddled and incoherent it might as well be left out.might as well be left out.

Even the attempted genre-revival The Expendables is disappointingly Post-Action.

Even the attempted genre-revival The Expendables is disappointingly Post-Action.

Steven SoderberghaE™s Haywire showcases some of the most exhilarating fights of recent years by combining the aEœrealisticaE MMA-inspired fighting preferred by Post-Action directors with the long takes and unobstructed shots they fear.

Steven SoderberghaE™s Haywire showcases some of the most exhilarating fights of recent years by combining the aEœrealisticaE MMA-inspired fighting preferred by Post-Action directors with the long takes and unobstructed shots they fear.

Nicolas Winding RefnaE™s Drive, despite being sued by that lady for not being enough like Fast Five, punctuates its slow burn story with superb car chases.

Nicolas Winding RefnaE™s Drive, despite being sued by that lady for not being enough like Fast Five, punctuates its slow burn story with superb car chases.

Fast Five, come to think of it, also has great action and stunts, but good olaE™ R-rated blood wouldaE™ve really helped its Diesel-vs.-Rock fist fight.

Fast Five, come to think of it, also has great action and stunts, but good olaE™ R-rated blood wouldaE™ve really helped its Diesel-vs.-Rock fist fight.

Hyams' 2009 Universal Soldier: Regeneration is a more thrilling action experience than 95% of what studios havereleased in theaters in several years.

Hyams’ 2009 Universal Soldier: Regeneration is a more thrilling action experience than 95% of what studios havereleased in theaters in several years.