J

64 Messages

 • 

824 Points

Monday, January 24th, 2022 6:59 PM

Best Action Movie by a First-Time Director?

When it comes to action cinema, it's typical that a director with a lot of experience is brought on board who can be trusted to helm the complicated stunts, fights, chases, explosions, pratfalls and what have you that make up the genre. Just occasionally, however, we get to see a filmmaker come right out of the gate with an action movie and, if not always a classic, it's pretty much guaranteed to be a fascinating watch. Which is the greatest action debut?

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls536863539/

5.1K Messages

 • 

137.8K Points

2 years ago

FYC

Banlieue 13 (Pierre Morel)

64 Messages

 • 

824 Points

@ElMaruecan82​ Thanks, I hadn't heard of that one. Adding it now.

40 Messages

 • 

628 Points

2 years ago

      That's an interesting question, as directors like Chad Stahelski and David Leitch had been heavily involved as stunt coordinators on dozens of previous productions, and Michael Bay had done dozens of music videos. And Bruce Lee is Bruce Lee.

      They're not like Andrew Patterson who has zero experience whatsoever and just decides to make a movie, The Vast of Night, and it's actually really good! Not an action movie, but it's a solid sci-fi with some Spielberg like camera and chases.

      Would Ridley Scott's The Duellists count? Not a traditional action movie, but several sword fighting scenes.

      Didn't know Demolition Man was from a first time director, so I'd say that or Mad Max (impressive for such low budget and little experience). Still haven't seen New Jack City, otherwise might comment on that. 

64 Messages

 • 

824 Points

@vgamerdc​ You know, I've always kind of struggled with that question: is The Three Musketeers action, is Highlander action? I always lean more towards fantasy or "adventure," but if you count Raiders of the Lost Ark, for example (which I certainly do) as an action movie, then other period pieces should be considered too. Which really opens things up.

Champion

 • 

6.4K Messages

 • 

114.6K Points

2 years ago

FYC:

V for Vendetta, first film by James McTeigue

Crank, first film of both Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine

Extraction, first film by Sam Hargrave

Layer Cake, first film by Matthew Vaughn

Dean of Thieves, first film by Christian Gudegast

Brick, first film by Rian Johnson

Harry Brown, first film by Daniel Barber

A Wednesday, first film by Neeraj Pandey

El mariachi, first film by Robert Rodriguez

Executive Decision, first film by Stuart Baird

The Replacement Killers, first film by Antoine Fuqua

64 Messages

 • 

824 Points

@Pencho15​ Oh, man. Thanks for all the suggestions. Now I have to start weeding out some to stay under 35 entrants. 

Champion

 • 

6.4K Messages

 • 

114.6K Points

@JackSlater4​ Those are only the most voted I could find.

Usually votes or ratings are used to trim down lists like this. But it's up to you to come out with the parameters. 

Follow the IMDb Polls in Facebook and Twitter

64 Messages

 • 

824 Points

I decided to sort them by "popularity" and delete the five at the bottom of the list. Hopefully, that way, we're all voting on the most well-known or -liked of all possible choices.

Champion

 • 

13.9K Messages

 • 

324.8K Points

2 years ago

Happy smiley 100

Live Poll

https://www.imdb.com/poll/WLGIVcT1al0/

Please update your post and change the post type to Praise.

64 Messages

 • 

824 Points

@Peter_pbn​ Thanks for the update. I'm afraid I don't know what that means, to change a post type to Praise. Can you walk me through that?

Champion

 • 

13.9K Messages

 • 

324.8K Points

Dan has a detailed description here:

FAQ: Updating Threads After Poll Goes Live