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Sometimes, the movie has something that makes it more original than it might have seen, be it the cast, or one clever plot idea. Whatever the case, multiple seemingly generic action movies are actually great or close to it, and the fans of the genre should give them a chance.
5 Beta Test (2016)
Beta Test got a lot of hate from the audience, and it has only a 5.8 rating on IMDb. Despite that, the movie has a lot to offer. While it does contain some cliché elements (such as an evil boss of a corporation), what makes it unique is that a part of it looks like a video game. That’s because the main hero Creed (Manu Bennett) gets attacked and implanted with a device that lets the gamer Max (Larenz Tate) control his actions.
So even though Max thinks he’s playing a video game, everything Creed does under his control is happening. The movie switches between the game scenes and the ones from real life. Manu Bennett gives a solid performance in the leading role and Tate also doesn’t disappoint. Beta Test won’t be breaking any records but thanks to its idea, the movie works, even though the fighting scenes don’t always look so convincing.
4 The Sleepover (2020)
Action movies are a popular genre, and as such, a lot of new ones premiere each year. Yet it’s difficult to find action movies that would be accessible for children as well. The Sleepover is an exception to this rule. The story has its weaker moments, but overall, the movie works, and it will entertain both younger and older viewers. Children have to find their parents after they had been kidnaped from their home. The movie switches between two perspectives, so the viewers always know what the children are doing and what situation the parents are in.
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As a result, The Sleepover keeps a fast pace, and it’s funny at times when things don’t go according to plan. Last but not least, the movie has a strong cast, especially Joe Manganiello as Leo and Ken Marino as Ron (and the rivalry between them) don’t disappoint.
3 My Spy (2020)
Another movie that initially might look like a standard generic action piece but has more levels to it is this family story. Dave Bautista plays the titular spy called JJ who unexpectedly befriends the clever nine-year-old girl Sophie, who discovers who he really is.
A friendship between an adult spy and a young child isn’t something commonly seen in action movies, and the jokes and the friendship between JJ and Sophie is one of the highlights of the film. My Spy also knows very well what genre it belongs to, and it makes fun of the conventions of action movies, especially when Sophie convinces JJ to start training her as a spy as well. As a result, My Spy is easily one of the most notable comedy movies of 2020.
2 Red Notice (2021)
When the viewers think about the story of Red Notice really hard, they realize that it doesn’t always make sense. But other than that, the movie manages to fulfill the task that it most likely set out to do - that is to entertain the audience. The cast is excellent and the bickering between the main characters is one of the major reasons why to watch the movie.
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Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds create an unforgettable reluctant buddy duo in the movie, but Gal Gadot also doesn’t disappoint. In the end, Red Notice is a must-watch for all fans of the three actors or simply for everyone who just wants to relax or enjoy a movie about a group of characters who aren’t always very heroic.
1 Keeping Up With The Joneses (2016)
Action movies don’t often focus on people who lead perfectly civil, ordinary, maybe even slightly boring lives. Yet that’s exactly what Jeff (Zach Galifianakis) and Karen (Isla Fisher) are doing. At least until they meet their new neighbors, the stylish couple Tim (Jon Hamm) and Natalie (Gal Gadot), and start suspecting that there’s more to their new neighbors than meets the eye. However, Jeff and Karen might not be ready for the truth. The movie puts two very different worlds into contrast and a large part of its humor is based on the fact how Jeff and Karen will deal with the realization of who their neighbors are and what they’re doing. Danger seems to follow in Tim’s and Natalie’s footsteps.
Once again, the movie manages to make fun of storytelling tropes often used in action movies so even though the story might not seem so original at first, Keeping Up With the Joneses is cleverer than many viewers gave it credit for. It helps that all the four actors in the leading roles are excellent and the chemistry (be it romantic or friendly) works between them.
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