Denzel Washingtonis one of the greatest actors of his generation, but he’s rarely recognized for his contributions to the action genre through some of his best movies. Since he’s such a versatile performer, it’s easy to forget thatWashington has been in just as many action-oriented projects as any other genre.WhileDenzel Washington’s best drama moviesare more widely discussed and are the films he’s been awarded for, they’re far from his other projects. However, there have been a few instances when Washington’s work in action films has been too iconic and skillful to ignore.
Part of the reason Washington’s work within action movies is so notable is thatfew of his films merely stick to one niche of the genre.Seamlessly blending elements of thrillers, mysteries, and even Westerns, Washington’s action films are unlike anything else onscreen. This is fitting for the actor, as he always takes on unique projects that push him to his limits in the fight sequences and the character-driven moments. Additionally, the characters he takes on, whether they’re traditional heroes or morally ambiguous figures, are always complex individuals full of nuance for Washington to bring to life.
After collaborating with Carl Franklin onDevil in a Blue Dress, Washington reunited with the filmmaker forOut of Time, a twisting action-thriller that leaves you guessing until the very end.Washington’s character, Matt, can’t be sure who to trust and where to place his faiththroughoutOut of Time, as he’s emotionally manipulated and fooled many times over. However, as the audience, we’re just as shocked and vengeful as he is when Matt learns how the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
Matt is a great protagonist, as it’s easy to empathize with him and place yourself in his shoes throughout the story.
As one ofDenzel Washington’s best crime movies,Out of Timeis easily praised for its slick visual style and compelling central performances. Matt is a great protagonist, as it’s easy to empathize with him and place yourself in his shoes throughout the story. Full of romantic drama as well as chase scenes, lies, and criminal intrigue,Out of Timeshould be a better-remembered part of Washington’s filmography. His chemistry with Eva Mendes and Sanaa Lathan helps to ground the film.
Out of Time (2003)
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The Taking of Pelham 123has been adapted for the screen several times, with Washington’s 2009 project being the most recent. One of the reasons thatThe Taking of Pelham 123can be translated to the screen so well in different eras is because it follows the hijacking of a subway car, and the way subways run has been deeply impacted by emerging technologies. The modern iteration ofThe Taking of Pelham 123explores how computerization and new tech both help and hurt situations like this.
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Washington leads the cast, but he’s far from the only famous actor in the cast. John Travolta plays the central antagonist, Ryder, and both John Turturro and James Gandolfini appear throughout the film. While the star-studded cast isn’t the only reason to watchThe Taking of Pelham 123, it elevates the tense and immediate story that draws the viewer in. As Walter, the uncertain protagonist,Washington portrays the character not as a natural hero but as a man who does what he has to and steps up.
The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)
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There are few things the action genre does better than revenge,andMan on Fireis a great example of this. Washington’s character, John W. Creasy, is still packing plenty of CIA skills when he becomes a bodyguard for a young girl in Mexico City and embarks on a violent tear across the city in search of her. Starring a young Dakota Fanning as Pita, the girl Creasy’s protecting,Man on Fireis an updated take on the 1980 novel by A. J. Quinnell.
Though the book was first brought to life in 1987, the 2004 iteration makes enough changes to successfully differentiate the two projects while staying true to the heart of the narrative. The father-daughter relationship that blossoms between Creasy and Pita is the emotional centerpiece ofMan on Fireand is the reason we care so deeply, asCreasy cuts a bloody path throughout the city in the wake of her kidnapping.While Creasy is terrifying and powerful, the viewer is on his side in his search for Pita.
Man on Fire (2004)
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Washington and Chris Pine are tasked with stopping a runaway freight train inUnstoppable, a sharp action-thriller that follows in the footsteps of iconic films likeSpeed. The stakes are already high inUnstoppablewhen we first learn the train can’t be powered down, butthis intensity is increased tenfold when it’s revealed the freight is carrying toxic chemicalsand might have to be derailed into a town. Frank (Washington) and Will (Pine) are unlikely heroes inUnstoppable, but they make a compelling pair.
The chemistry between Washington and Pine helps keep the audience invested in the personal and character-driven aspects ofUnstoppable, as it’s impossible not to be engaged by the runaway train. Watching Frank and Will work together and race against the clock to save lives is incredible, andUnstoppablerevels in every second of its premise.Fun and adrenaline-pumping until the film’s final moments,Unstoppableis an underrated action flick.Unstoppabledoesn’t try to complicate itself with anything other than the pure enjoyment of watching two regular people save the day.
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Robert Zemeckis directedFlight, a complex, character-driven drama that includes most of its action sequences in the first third of the film. Washington plays the pilot, Whip, who has substance abuse issues that follow him throughout the story. Almost all of the high-octane drama occurs early on inFlight, asWhip is forced to safely land a plane after a technical failure while he’s under the influence.It’s a tense sequence, and even though Whip lands the plane, this is far from the end of the story.
Flightdoes a great job showcasing two prominent sides of Washington as a performer, as Whip is a skilled hero as well as a flawed character who needs to recover.
Flightdoes a great job showcasing two prominent sides of Washington as a performer, as Whip is a skilled hero as well as a flawed character who needs to recover. Throughout the film, the audience accompanies Whip on his journey to come to terms with his drinking and recognize that his heroism doesn’t erase his mistakes, and vice versa. Few other actors could portray this balance and nuance as skillfully as he, but Washington is more than up to the challenge.
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The Book of Eliis one of the more unique additions to Washington’s filmography and is often overlooked within the action genre and the post-apocalyptic sphere. However, at the time of its release,The Book of Eliperformed extremely well at the box office, even in the wake of middling reviews from critics.Washington’s central performance as Eli can’t be ignored as a pivotal factor in the movie’s success,as the actor weathers the plot twists with grim defiance throughout the story.
The Book of Elialso features Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman, and Jennifer Bealsas members of a group Eli encounters. Oldman’s character becomes the central foil to Eli as the two men seek a sacred book for different reasons. Though it could be argued that the post-apocalyptic genre has become oversaturated today,The Book of Elidifferentiates itself from other end-of-the-world blockbusters that pit people against each other as they attempt to survive. InThe Book of Eli, Washington is the unquestionable hero, making it easy to root for him.
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There have been many iterations ofThe Magnificent Sevensince Akira Kurosawa’sThe Seven Samuraiwas adapted to the Western genre in 1960.Washington leads the 2016 iteration as Sam Chisholm, the U.S. Marshalwho leads the band of seven outlaws and bounty hunters who become the unlikely heroes ofThe Magnificent Seven. ThoughThe Magnificent Sevenisn’t a neo-Western, which was a popular genre niche in the 2010s, it does expand upon many traditional Western tropes.
Westerns incorporate many elements of action films, but put exciting spins on these epic onscreen moments.The Magnificent Sevenreminds us that Washington is just as capable of bringing to life an epic car chase scene as he is a good old-fashioned shootout at high noon. There’s little question that Washington’s participation in the project is a large part of why the film succeeded at the box-office and earned a decent reputation in comparison to the other adaptations.
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The mark of a great action hero is their ability to play a villain, andWashington gave one of the best performances of his career as the morally bankrupt Alonzo Harris inTraining Day.Ethan Hawke joins Washington in the crime drama set in Los Angeles.Training Daysees Harris take the young police officer, Jake (Hawke), on a terrifying ride through the city. It’s soon revealed that Harris isn’t training the young Jake but using him as a tool to further his own corruption.
Washington won the Academy Award for Best Actor forTraining Day, a well-deserved accolade, especially since action-driven films likeTraining Dayaren’t always recognized during awards season. However, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that Washington is giving the performance of a lifetime inTraining Day.Harris is deliciously evil, making you want to cringe away from his despicable actionswhile pulling you deeper into the drama. ThoughTraining Dayis also a thriller and crime movie, it blends genres seamlessly, immersing the viewer in the violence.
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Paul Mescal might be the hero ofGladiator II, butWashington’s role in the historical blockbuster indicates that the actor is capable of evolving and adapting within the genre.He shines just as brightly in his action-oriented scenes as he does in the tense moments packed with layers of subtext and dialogue.Gladiator IIexemplifies where the action genre is heading in the 2020s and shows that Washington can fulfill many roles within it, not just the hero.
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Washington understands that projects likeGladiator IIand action movies in general need to be well acted in addition to explosively engaging, as this helps the audience care about the characters.The juxtaposition between Macrinus (Washington) and Lucius (Mescal) inGladiator IIbuilds their animosity and electric dynamic,which ultimately culminates in a showdown between them. Though Washington’s Macrinus is older, his experience and knowledge make him just as formidable as the young Lucius.
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The Equalizer
There’s little question thatThe Equalizermovies deserve greater recognitionwithin the action sphere, as the trilogy demonstrates what’s great about action movies in the 21st century. Though the plots can get serious, they’re also unafraid to be fun and dynamic, taking the audience on an unforgettable thrill ride. WhileThe Equalizerdoesn’t take itself too seriously, it clearly has a lot of love for action movies, as seen through the great fight scenes.
The Equalizerhas become a streaming hitmany years after the franchise first started because audiences have realized how much the projects have to offer. With well-choreographed action sequences and exciting espionage,The Equalizermovies would be engaging on their own. However, with Washington anchoring the projects as Robert McCall, they’re made all the stronger.Denzel Washingtontakes his experience within the action genre and puts everything he’s got intoThe Equalizerfilms.
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