TOP 5:
1. Bruce Willis \nBest Films: "Die Hard," "Sin City," "The Fifth Element," "12 Monkeys," "Grindhouse," "Armageddon"
A backlog of quirky, challenging roles have always played havoc with Bruce Willis' career as a mainstream action star, but they haven't stopped him from breathing life into roles like firebrand John McClane in the "Die Hard" films and Harry Stamper in the otherwise banal "Armageddon." Willis' nuanced turn as "superhero" David Dunn in M. Night Shyamalan's "Unbreakable" elevated that film to the status of best comic book movie ever made. Willis is set to revisit John McClane again soon in "Live Free or Die Hard," and I can only hope the cartoonish trailers aren't an indication that smash-em-up action will overshadow the character. -JB
There's something to be said about a man who can go from being a singer named Bruno Radolini and a comedian alongside Cybill Shepherd on "Moonlighting" to starring in the action film that defines the entire genre. Bruce Willis as John McClane in "Die Hard" showed essentially that Average Joe could do action and sell it without needing to look like muscular behemoths such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. Willis owes his success not only to his ability to kill bad guys, but also his likeable demeanor while doing it. The action genre utilizes Willis, now in his 50s, as the badass who is getting older and vulnerable but could still take out every man in the room. "Sin City," "Hostage" and "16 Blocks" affirm this. Here's hoping that "Live Free or Die Hard," despite its PG-13 rating, shows that nobody messes with John McClane. Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker!- CW
Most bald guys in action movies are on the boot end of an ass kicking. Not Bruce. He pretty much wins this one on experience alone, the guy's been in practically every great action movie ever made. End of story.
2. Harrison Ford\nBest Films: "Indiana Jones," "Star Wars," "Bladerunner"
For years, Harrison Ford has proven himself to be the ultimate American action star. As Han Solo, he battled the Empire with a wry smile in the original "Star Wars" trilogy. As Indiana Jones, he sought the world's treasures and offed Nazis with his quick thinking. As Dr. Richard Kimball in "The Fugitive," he outran and outsmarted the establishment to prove his innocence. And as Rick Deckard in "Blade Runner," Ford had the intellect and reflexes to tell a human from a humanoid. His return to Indiana Jones form next year can't come soon enough. - JB
Indiana Jones, Han Solo, Jack Ryan and Rick Deckard are just some of the names Ford has gone by in his established acting career. Whether he is hunting for artifacts or blasting droids, Harrison Ford is a man of action who has earned fans across the globe. He may have slumped recently with "Hollywood Homicide" and "Firewall," but I've got high hopes for the fourth installment in the Indiana Jones franchise. - CW
3. Clint Eastwood\nBest Films: "Dollars Trilogy," "Dirty Harry," "Unforgiven"
Westerns are just a different type of action movie, and Clint Eastwood picked up the pistols just as John Wayne was ready to put them down. Sergio Leone's "Dollars" trilogy crafted Eastwood into the man who sported a poncho, smoked cigars endlessly and was ready to draw at any given moment. Yet as the Western slowly died, Eastwood refused to go with it, becoming "Dirty" Harry Callahan, a.k.a. the meanest son-of-a-bitch to ever be given a police badge. He might be 77 years old today, but he could still kick your ass if he needed to. - CW
Clint owes his credibility as a director to the Westerns he starred in back when he was in front of the camera, not behind it. As a '90s child exposed to blockbusters like "Speed," "Men in Black" and "Indepenence Day," I laughed at my dad when he brought home Clint's classics for me to watch. Looks like pops had the last laugh. - MM
4. Mel Gibson\nBest Films: "Mad Max," "Lethal Weapon," "Braveheart"
Hate on him all you want, but Mel's got game. Forget, for a moment, that his directorial efforts have been more artistically successful than his acting gigs and you'll discover some meaty roles that require as much brains as brawn. Gibson's best roles find him in the position of a man out for revenge. As Max in George Miller's first two "Mad Max" outings, Gibson was out for blood after losing his wife and kid. William Wallace, as sketched by Gibson, helps oust British rule after the royals royally screw his love life, and as Porter in "Payback" Gibson is the revenge-driven criminal you relish rooting for.- JB
This is where I should make a joke about Mel's anti-semantic DUI rant. That won't happen. Instead, I'll just scream at the top of my lungs, "Give me back my son!" Oh yeah and "They will never take our freedom!" His "Lethal Weapon films define the buddy cop genre, and let's not forget The Patriot, Mad Max, and the tragically underappreciated Chicken Run. - MM
5. Clive Owen\nBest Films: "Children of Men," "Sin City," "Bourne Identity"
Not so much for what has come before, but for what may be in store, Clive Owen is an action star to watch closely. Aside from small roles in somewhat notable films, Owen's only extended turns as action heros are in last year's unquestionable futuristic masterpiece "Children of Men" and the unforgettable "Sin City." They're the only times he's raged against the dying of the light thus far, but they're stunning. - JB
Any list demands a new face, and Owen has quickly earned the right to be considered an action star. Starting off small as the sniping professor in "The Bourne Identity" and the Driver in "The Hire" BMW shorts, Owen worked his way up to become a fearless badass in both "Sin City" and "Children of Men." And to further prove it, just watch the trailer to this fall's "Shoot 'Em Up" to see Clive Owen means serious business. - CW
