Action movies come in various styles. Some are filled with guns and explosions, purely designed to entertain. Others use action scenes as punchlines for jokes, while some strike a balance between humor and seriousness.
Let’s explore these styles and highlight hilarious moments in action films that leave audiences roaring with laughter.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Directed by James Gunn and hailed as one of the most popular films in the last decade, Guardians of the Galaxy masterfully combines comedy and action. A standout moment occurs when Groot sacrifices himself in the third act to save his comrades. To break the tension, Peter Quill challenges the main villain, Ronan, to a dance-off instead of engaging in a shoot-out. This unexpected twist delivers a hilarious trope inversion.
The Nice Guys
Renowned action-comedy director Shane Black presents The Nice Guys, featuring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling as unlikely partners investigating a crime. Throughout the movie, numerous jokes are expertly set up and delivered. A particularly subtle joke involves a dream sequence where Gosling’s character, Holland, imagines Crowe’s character, Jackson, having a gun around his ankle. Later, in a desperate situation, Holland reaches for the nonexistent ankle gun, causing confusion for both the villain and Jackson.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The first installment in the Indiana Jones Trilogy introduces audiences to thrilling serial adventures. When faced with a sword-fight challenge during his search for Marion, the protagonist, Indiana Jones, surprises everyone by casually pulling out a gun and shooting his opponent. Originally written as a trope, this scene turned out even better due to Harrison Ford’s illness on the day of filming.
Face/Off
Known for its over-the-top performances by Nicholas Cage and John Travolta, Face/Off features cheesy acting galore. In the movie, Travolta has to impersonate Cage and vice versa. This results in Cage’s character repeatedly saying, “I want to take his face…off!” while portraying an insane crime boss. The absurdity adds to the film’s comedic appeal.
Inception
Inception, a highly cerebral action movie, explores the boundaries of imagination through shared dream experiences. One amusing moment arises when Eames, played by Tom Hardy, cracks a joke while holding a grenade launcher, teasing Joseph Gordon Levitt’s character, Arthur, about his conventional gun use. The quote “You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, my darling” often resonates with viewers after watching the film.
To conclude, these action movies effortlessly blend comedy and action, offering audiences unforgettable and hilarious cinematic experiences.
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