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Comment RSSAction Movies 2012 – Guide
1.01.12 # Action Movies # 29 CommentsThe Bourne Legacy
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Scott Glenn
Director: Tony Gilroy
Out: 3rd August 2012
Matt Damon’s not in it. The character of Jason Bourne is not in it. Damon and previous director Greengrass were determined to end the series with the third movie, but the studio wants to continue the franchise, as it has made them too much money. This is not a sequel or a reboot, but a standalone story about another agent (Renner) trained by the murderous shadow government operation Treadstone, who went through experiences similar to Bourne’s or the character played by Clive Owen in the original movie. Rachel Weisz plays the love interest. Edward Norton is the antagonist. Matt Damon is not ruling out returning to the series at a later point, so this could act as something of a set-up for that. New director Gilroy adapted the original trilogy and directed Michael Clayton, so it’s actually in pretty decent hands. [Critics: 56%] [Public: 6.9] – Very Good
Total Recall
Starring: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Bryan Cranston, Jessica Biel
Director: Len Wiseman
Out: 3rd August 2012
With a story lying half way between the 1990 version and the 1966 novelette, this sees a factory worker (Farrell) begins to suspect that he’s a spy, though he is unaware which side of the fight he’s on (between nation states Euromerica and New Shanghai). Incredibly (unless I’ve missed something) the movie does not involve Mars in any way, which for me is an enormous letdown. It’s also going to be PG-13, throwing out the wonderful bloody violence of the original. Colin Farrell can lead a good remake, as shown in the entertaining Fright Night redo. Unfortunately he is poison at the box office, and since this reportedly has a massive $200 million budget, there’s an even chance this might be one of the biggest money losers of the year. The director of Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard will need to step up his game in every respect. [Critics: 30%] [Public: 6.3] – Mixed Reaction
The Expendables 2
Starring: Stallone, Statham, Arnie, Willis, Li, Lundgren, Van Damme, Norris, Couture
Director: Simon West
Out: 17th August 2012
The general feeling about the first movie was that it wasn’t as good as its line-up. That may change here with Stallone handing over directing duties to Simon West (Con Air, Tomb Raider). This time Schwarzenegger will do a full week’s shooting, Bruce Willis will do two weeks as the expected villain. And with the addition of Van Damme and Chuck Norris this is now the greatest action cast ever assembled. Let’s hope they can do it justice with a compelling story or at least some stunning fight scenes. [Critics: 66%] [Public: 7.2] – Very Good
Resident Evil: Retribution
Starring: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Colin Salmon, Michelle Rodriguez
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Out: 14th September 2012
In this fifth installment, game favourites Ada Wong, Barry Burton and Leon Kennedy all join the adventure, with the latter as the leader of a resistance group that unites with Alice (Jovovich) to fight Umbrella corporation and the undead. Chris and Claire Redfield (Wentworth Miller and Ali Larter) are not in the movie as they’ve been ‘abducted’ by Umbrella. However, returning characters include Jill Valentine and, oddly, Rain, Carlos and ‘One’ despite all three being killed in previous movies. I’m guessing cloning or flashbacks are involved. It’s not like the narrative has to make any sense at this point. Jovovich has suggested that the Las Plagas parasite from the fourth video game will also feature in the story. [Critics: 29%] [Public: 5.9] – Mediocre
Dredd
Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey, Jason Cope
Director: Pete Travis
Out: 21st September 2012
In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, Judge Dredd (Urban) teams with trainee Anderson (Thirlby) to take down a ruthless clan leader (Headey) who’s pushing the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO. On the plus side, this script was written by Alex Garland (28 Days Later), the movie’s co-produced by Britain’s great DNA Films, and everyone’s determined not to repeat the mistakes of the Stallone version. On the potential downside, Karl Urban doesn’t look the part so far, it’s directed by the man responsible for pedestrian thriller Vantage Point (who landed the gig after Duncan Jones (Moon) turned it down) and there are rumours he’s been locked out of the editing room by the producers. Judge Dredd and the 2000AD universe deserve a great movie, hopefully it’ll work out. [Critics: 77%] [Public: 7.7] – Very Good
Looper
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano
Director: Rian Johnson
Out: 28th September 2012
In the future, time travel is banned but the mob still uses it to send targets back in time where they are eliminated by waiting assassins. When one of the mob’s killers (Gordon-Levitt) recognises his next target as himself (Willis), he’s presented with an obvious dilemma. The movie’s talented director brought us Brick and The Brothers Bloom. Early reviews say it’s great, with well-presented time travel rules, strong characters and uniquely shot action. Sounds like a rip-off tribute to the short story ‘The Hit’ from 2000AD years ago. [Critics: 93%] [Public: 7.6] – Excellent
Okay, no joke, the Clash (Wrath, Bath, Math) of the Titans sequel look pretty damn fun. Can’t believe the sequel looks so much better than the original … though still not “good” in an objective sense.
The Lockout trailer rocks my balls off!
Holy crap.
LOOPER! I love that director, it’s going to rock.
Django, Skyfall … the list goes on. 2012 looks like a VERY good year for action adventure, all these movies look like a blast.
Let’s get real. The Avengers will be the best action movie of 2012. It’s all the stars of the most enjoyable action films of the last five years put into the same one. No brainer. The Dark Knight Rises can’t possibly live up the The Dark Knight. Bane is no Joker.
Dude, I believe you haven’t seen The Expendables 2 yet.
Nice list and some I’m actually looking forward to but whats with ‘The unfairly maligned McG’, really? he has a worse CV than Schumacher so i’m hoping that was a typo.
He became a figure of hate after Charlie’s Angels, now it doesn’t matter what he does, the fanboy community won’t give him a break. Terminator Salvation wasn’t half as bad as it was claimed to be.
Thats true but mostly justified, here is a guy who, regardless of quality still gets to spend millions of other peoples money when all we film watchers want is a good movie. Terminator Salvation wasn’t terrible but he had everything at his disposal to make it the film it should’ve been but he blew it. Until he makes a ‘Phone Booth’ he will continue to find himself vilified.
I am seriously looking forward to TDKR and Safe, if it lets Statham flex a little more than his biceps like you say
I think McG’s movies are average, not dreadful, is what I’m saying. He’s only directed 4 in his life and 3 of them were ok. Schumacher’s directed 23.
4! is that all? thank god for small mercies
2012 looks very good for action films, alot of these are pretty interesting. The last film that had ‘Sweet Dreams’ by Marilyn Manson playing in the trailer was one of the worst I’ve ever seen(Gamer) I dont have any high hopes for Wrath Of Titans..
Looks much better than the comedy selection, especially Safe House, Looper and Django Unchained.
The 2012 action movies I’m looking forward to most are Lockout, Total Recall and The Dark Knight Rises.
I think this time for the expendables, they have make it. With the coming of vanne damm and chuck norris means the best movie ever. Lets hope so
I’m so excited to watch this new spider man. It seems interesting
What? No The Raid: Redemption??? I’m outta here!
Have been meaning to add it. It’s there now.
I think the best action movie of 2012 was transformers 3 dark side of the moon
The best of trilogy
That one was last year.
i must say nice collection and nice work.
It’s not only a good year in movies, also in games.
I’m gonna spent al my money on all good games and movies that are gonna come this year!
The Expendables pile of crap, they must use a template for the story
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Post By Sheridan Passell
1st Jan
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