The 1990s produced plenty of great action comedies, with a mix of Hollywood blockbusters, martial arts movies and buddy cop comedies. Action comedies are often popular at the box-office, since they offer lighthearted humor and some enjoyable spectacle that casts a wide net. It’s no surprise to see that some of the biggest hits of the ’90s were action comedies, likeTrue LiesandMen in Black.
The 1990s produced some of the best action comedies of all time, and these movies are just as fresh and easy to watch as ever. Made just before the explosion in CGI, a lot of the best action movies of the ’90s represent the pinnacle of practical stunts. Actors like Jackie Chan and Arnold Schwarzenegger brought their skills to the comedy genre, and they were assisting by stunt choreographers and performers who helped create kinetic, hard-hitting action that still looks great.
Last Action Herowas initially seen as a flop, both critically and commercially, but it’s become recognized as one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most underrated movies.Last Action Hero’s metacommentary on the risible nature of the action genre may have been too far ahead of its time. Schwarzenegger plays a big-screen action hero who is saddled with the responsibility of a child who magically gets transported into the world of his movies.
Last Action Herodeconstructs the action genre from the inside out.
Last Action Herodeconstructs the action genre from the inside out, toying with the tropes that audiences often take for granted. This allows Schwarzenegger to flex his comedy chops and show some self-aware humor, butLast Action Heroalso delivers enough exciting action.Director John McTiernan also helmed hits likePredatorandDie Hard,so he certainly knows how to give audiences what they want.
Taxidoesn’t have the international audience that it deserves, but the French action-comedy is just as fun and exciting as anything made in Hollywood. For those who appreciate non-English language movies, there’s a lot to love inTaxi.As action-comedies go, it delivers more than enough hard-hitting action, including shootouts, chase scenes and some powerful car stunts that toss vehicles around like they’re toys.
Taxipairs a joyrider with an inept police officer as they track a group of German bank robbers in Marseille. Their disjointed dynamic is often the source of the movie’s humor, but there’s also a lot of comedy in the sheer audacity of the practical stunts. Gérard Pirès creates a carnival of chaos that sweeps up the audience.Taxispawned an entire franchise, andit got an underwhelming American remake in 2004 starring Jimmy Fallon and Queen Latifah. The original remains the best.
There’s a clear divide between the newerBad Boysmovies and the originals directed by Michael Bay. While the more recent sequels may be more popular with critics, it’s hard to replicate Bay’s signature brand of chaos. Bay has never been a critical darling, but his movies are relentlessly entertaining, andBad Boysis the perfect example of his ability to deliver high-octane thrills with crowdpleasing humor.
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Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s hilarious brotherly dynamic has helped sustain theBad Boysfranchise, and it’s as funny as ever from their very first moments on-screen together. Their witty back-and-forth is one thing that the originalBad Boysgets right immediately. Bay also indulges his penchant for explosive action. There are more refined and more intelligent movies out there, butit can be hard to resist the knuckleheaded charms thatBad Boyshas on show.
The Legend of Drunken Masteris the second movie in Jackie Chan’s franchise, so it’s sometimes referred to asDrunken Master II.The sequel came out 16 years after the original, and it takes everything up a notch, showcasing Chan’s pedigree as a master of physical comedy. It’s a joy to see someone so obscenely talented using their skills for comedic effect, but Chan’s creativity is just as impressive as his martial arts prowess.
The Legend of Drunken Masteris one ofJackie Chan’s funniest movies, partly thanks to his remarkable ability to turn any ordinary object he chooses into a weapon of some kind. His fighting style has the same joyous creativity of improv comedy, as Wong’s off-the-cuff decision-making in fights is constantly surprising.Another obvious inspiration for Chan is Buster Keaton, sinceThe Legend of Drunken Masterhas plenty of wildly improbable physical gags.
It’s debatable whetherAustin Powers: International Man of Mysteryshould count as a true action comedy, since it’s certainly less focused on action than theJames Bondfranchise which it parodies. What’s not up for debate is the movie’s hilarious swinging style, as Mike Myers creates an iconic comedy character and sends him off on a wonderfully silly adventure.He also plays Austin’s nemesis, the aptly named Dr. Evil.
Myers clearly revels in the excesses of theBondfranchise, and he blows them up to spectacular extremes.
Austin Powersis an endlessly quotable movie, thanks in part to Myers' over-the-top British accent. He clearly revels in the excesses of theBondfranchise, and he blows them up to spectacular extremes. This extends to the action sequences, as Austin battles legions of faceless goons without breaking a sweat. One of the movie’s best jokes comes from examining this trope, as a henchman’s wife is given the tragic news of his death.
Jim Carrey’s career exploded in 1994, as he starred inAce Venture: Pet Detective, Dumb & DumberandThe Mask,making him a huge star overnight.The Maskis still one ofJim Carrey’s best movies, and arguably the one movie that shows off his singular talents as a comedic performer better than any other. The role of Stanley Ipkiss, a man who discovers a mask that gives him magical powers, gives Carrey the opportunity to play around.
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Just likeAce Venturaand some of Carrey’s other big hits,The Masksees him playing a larger-than-life comedic character who seems to have no basis in the real world. While this could make the movie unrelatable and strange, Carrey’s exuberant performance is key to maintainingThe Mask’s sense of humor. The random chaos that runs throughout the movie never feels like too much.
4The Mummy (1999)
The Mummy Is An Action-Packed Adventure With Some Great Performances
The Mummyis a remake of the 1932 movie of the same name, and it very much feels like a throwback to the glamor of Old Hollywood. It has a thrilling sense of adventure, a touch of romance and some great action scenes, but one thing that separatesThe Mummyfrom the original is its humor. Brendan Fraser knows how to get a laugh, and his character often acts as a conduit for the audience, shocked at how bizarre the situation is.
It has a thrilling sense of adventure, a touch of romance and some great action scenes.
The Mummynever takes itself too seriously, and its cheeky sense of humor allows the audience to get lost in a grand adventure that includes booby-trapped tombs, compelling puzzles and a brush with the supernatural. Another remake ofThe Mummyin 2017 failed to hit the heights of the 1999 version, showing how important the movie’s sense of humor is to its appeal.
True Lieswas the most expensive movie ever made back in 1994, but James Cameron has routinely proven that studios can trust him with their investments. He worked his box-office magic once again, andTrue Lieswas also a hit with critics. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s affable performance as a secret agent who keeps his work hidden from his wife brings the best out of him, and Jamie Lee Curtis is also in fine form.
The tension between all-out action and mundane domestic life is key to the movie’s sense of humor.
The premise ofTrue Liesis a little absurd, but the movie is charming and funny enough to get away with it. In fact, the tension between all-out action and mundane domestic life is key to the movie’s sense of humor.James Cameron’s eye for cinematic spectacle is unrivaled, butTrue Liesis really a comedy about marriage. It shouldn’t be ignored among Cameron’s big franchise blockbusters.
Fans of martial arts movies knew about Jackie Chan long before he started working in Hollywood, but for many people, movies likeRush Hourwere their first taste of Chan’s talents. While itmay be relatively toned down compared to some of Chan’s Hong Kong action movies that he directed himself,Rush Houradds better jokesto complement the remarkable stunts and physical comedy.
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Pairing Jackie Chan with Chris Tucker proves to be an inspired move, as their conflicting styles creates a hilarious culture clash comedy. Tucker is the brash, fast-talking American, while Chan plays his role well as a tight-lipped, stoic foreigner in a strange land. Just as their characters work well together, Chan and Tucker develop a great opposites-attract dynamic. It’s no wonder thatRush Hourevolved into a franchise, andthere have been reports ofRush Hour 4for years.
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith are the perfect odd couple inMen in Black,with Smith playing a naive rookie and Jones as the reliable old hand. Although there are aliens, sci-fi gadgets and a bizarre closing sequence that shows the entire galaxy being used in a game of marbles,Men in Blacklargely follows the tried-and-true formula of a buddy cop comedy. This recognizable structure helps ground a story that could otherwise stray into sci-fi weirdness.
It’s everything one could want in an action comedy.
Jones and Smith’s infectious chemistry lies at the heart ofMen in Black’s appeal, but there are also plenty of lively action scenes to keep things moving along.The first chase scene sets the tone for the whole movie, as Jay pursues a suspect throughout New York City without knowing that he’s a visitor from another planet.Men in Blackhas great jokes, creative action scenes and a fun sci-fi twist. It’s everything one could want in an action comedy.
