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Post by Laslo Hollyfeld on Sept 15, 2006 18:01:13 GMT -5
I saw this the other day on the Washington Post's website. The author was lamenting the fact that there really isn't an American action hero-type in the same vein of John Wayne or Steve McQueen anymore. Most of the really cool action hero types, he says, have either gotten too old or too soft. (All this, just as Stallone is attempting a comeback...)
He then went on to "build" what an action star should be by using the best qualities from previous stars. A little John Wayne, a little Clint Eastwood, a little Lee Marvin, etc.
It got me thinking about who I would "cannibalize" to make a modern day action hero. Before I do so, isn't it sad that instead of pointing to an already established actor, we are instead forced to look to the past? To look for our current tough guys, we turn to the Jason Stathams, the Hugh Jackmans, and to a lesser extent, the Colin Farrells of the world.
Anyway...
I'd start with Clint Eastwood's eyes. Nobody in their right mind wants to be on the business end of one those patented "outta my way or else" stares. Dirty Harry almost didn't need that .44 magnum, and had it been daylight during the last scene of Unforgiven, William Muny could have ridden out of town unarmed...
I'd give him John Wayne's grimace. Pure determination and grit.
I'd give him whatever amount of ice water used to run through Al Pacino's veins. He's become a caricature of himself, but remember the old days?
I'd give him the resiliance of Bruce Willis' John McCain and Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones. Were there ever two guys who could take a better beating and still come back?
For a voice, I'd go with Sam Elliott. Pure Americana, even if he's most known for his ads for the beef council. Still, he's got a tough guy voice like no other.
Finally, I'd give him the overall likeability of Kurt Russell. Amiable yet gruff, our hero needs to be relatable by the audience.
So there you have it. Any thoughts? Who would you piece together in a Frankensteinien way?
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Post by MsCali on Sept 16, 2006 2:05:56 GMT -5
Hmmm...mine would have the muscles of Christian Bale in Reign of Fire (along with the shirtless qualities from that same movie). He would have the fighting skills of Christian Bale from Batman. The voice of Christian Bale from Batman. The mental strength of Christian Bale from Batman. The Steely gaze of Christian Bale from Batman. Okay, mine would be Christian Bale from Batman, minus the stupid costume and a shirt. Really, I don't think I could do much better than you, except I would leave out Kurt Russell. I don't like him at all. Maybe replace him with Michael Douglas from Romancing the Stone - tough enough to get along in the jungle while running from the bad guys and protecting the woman, but soft enough to fall in love with her and be all romantic (he bought her a boat!), but after that, still tough enough to not only best that crocodile, but turn him into boots while he is at it.
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Post by Laslo Hollyfeld on Sept 16, 2006 11:01:10 GMT -5
The article, though, was about the lack of American action heroes. There are plenty of non-American hero-types these days. Bale is a good example.
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Post by MsCali on Sept 16, 2006 12:38:20 GMT -5
Ah, yes, but you see, I choose to forget about his Welsh accent (though, it doesn't bug me as much in the previews for The Prestige as it does when he is just talking in real life).
Okay, I'm just going to go with yours, with my change from Kurt Russell to Michael Douglas, and the addition of the wit of Val Kilmer in Tombstone.
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Post by The Movie Mark on Sept 16, 2006 14:22:56 GMT -5
Really, I don't think I could do much better than you, except I would leave out Kurt Russell. I don't like him at all. Maybe replace him with Michael Douglas from Romancing the Stone ?!?!?!?!?! Um. YOU DON'T LIKE KURT RUSSELL?!?!?!?! And to add insult to injury you're trying to say that Michael "Suit and Tie Wuss" Douglas is better than him?!?!?! You have just broken a major Movie Mark commandment, Ms. Cali. I'm just too shocked and disappointed to know what else to say. I'll add more to this thread later but making the suggestion to replace Kurt Russell with Michael Douglas just had to be commented on. *shakes head slowly and sadly*
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Post by MsCali on Sept 17, 2006 1:10:39 GMT -5
Actually I don't like Michael Douglas much better, but I LOVED Romancing the Stone when I was a kid (yes, I was allowed to watch that movie at 6...my parents were usually much more strict than that...I don't know why I was able to see that movie a hundred times) and thought his character was cool. Much cooler than Kurt Douglas (yes, even as Wyatt Earp. He was actually the weak point of Tombstone for me). So no, JB, I don't like Kurt Russell. At all. Can't stand him.
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Post by Laslo Hollyfeld on Sept 17, 2006 7:14:01 GMT -5
But we're talking about Jack Burton! The Pork Chop Express! MacReady! Herb Brooks! We're talkin' about Snake Freaking Plissken!
C'mon...
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Post by tangentgirl on Sept 17, 2006 12:37:33 GMT -5
THANK YOU..... Escape from NY and Big Trouble in Little China (though campier) are among my childhood faves. I like the addition of the Val Kilmer wit of Tombstone (or Real Genius...smile)... but Michael Douglas? I, too, liked Romancing the Stone--- likeable but never saw him as a tough guy. I'll keep Kurt Russell, thanks. I have to leave now or I'll end up missing the previews--- going to a movie--- but I will think on this american action hero thing... (Post 80's/90's).
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Post by nikkibluejeans on Sept 17, 2006 16:46:34 GMT -5
I have to come to the defense of Kurt Russell as well. I have always enjoyed him. I think he would have a lot to contribute to a Patchwork Hero. After all, what's a hero without charisma?? And Kurt's got an overabundance. Amen, Laslo. Amen.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but there's a certain someone missing whose contribution could be that edgy quality that a really good hero possesses... But I'm sure that Johnny will mention him in his post, so I'll leave it to him to represent.
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Post by FieryMaid on Sept 17, 2006 22:32:25 GMT -5
I guess I'm not that old after all (I've been very much feeling old this past month, sad as I'm only 27). Don't think of John Wayne when I think action hero. I think Clint Eastwood though. I couldn't care less about Douglas. Don't see him as an action hero at all. Kurt Russell is awesome. Harrison Ford as well (Indiana Jones?). Mel Gibson (Mad Max and Lethal Weapon and yes, the man was born in NY so he's AMERICAN) and Bruce Wills (Die Hard). The point is, all the American heroic actors are getting old as Eastwood is in 70s (or something), Ford, Russell, Gibson, and Wills are in 50s almost 60s, and I'm just depressed. I was hoping to see someone rise and take their places, but I'm not. The other problem is there simply aren't any good action movie scripts anymore which makes it that much harder.
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Post by The Movie Mark on Sept 18, 2006 14:10:14 GMT -5
I want to hear one VALID reason as to why you don't like Kurt Russell, Ms. Cali. The weakpoint in Tombstone?!?!?! How can you not like the man who gave us the line, "You gonna do somethin'? Or are you just gonna stand there and bleed?"
Sigh.
Seriously, how many of his movies have you seen?
As for the action hero patchwork, I'll just mention some of my favorites without getting too specific. I agree with a lot of the entries already mentioned. Except Michael Douglas *gives Ms. Cali an evil glare*
Clint Eastwood - The Man with No Name. Dirty Harry. The Outlaw Josey Wales. 'Nuff said.
Harrison Ford - Great as Indiana Jones, but he was even better as Han Solo.
Kurt Russell - He's Kurt Russell. He's just got that "I'm pretty much a regular guy except cooler" quality. I love Breakdown, for example. You believe that he's a normal guy in a tough situation who you'd trust to figure a way out of said situation.
It's impossible not to root for him. Unless you prefer womanly actors like Jude Law.
Robert Duvall - I know, I know - he's not your typical action hero. But his grizzled wisdom and overall sense of humor and demeanor as Augustus McCrae in Lonesome Dove has to be included.
Tommy Lee Jones - His "I hate rudeness in a man. I won't tolerate it," rump-whooping that he administered with a branding iron as Woodrow F. Call in Lonesome Dove can't be denied. Plus, Marshal Gerard ruled.
Mel Gibson - Gotta agree with FieryMaid. He was born an American. The borderline psychotic attitude of Martin Riggs is essential.
Bruce Willis - I agree - it's because of his John McClane attributes.
No one's mentioned him yet, but I think The Rock has a lot of potential as a new American action hero. The charisma, personality, and sense of humor are already there.
And, saving the best for last (as NBJ predicted) ... Josh Brolin. The edgy quality that NBJ mentioned consists of what appears to be a simmering internal rage, one that could cause Josh to erupt at any time.
I don't like my action heroes to be wishy-washy. They've gotta have the "shoot first, don't even bother with questions later" Wild Bill persona.
And what if you want a hero who knows a little something about loyalty? Welp, it just doesn't get more loyal than finding the testicular fortitude to cut off your thumb in order to save a friend.
So much for not getting too specific.
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Post by FieryMaid on Sept 20, 2006 19:21:58 GMT -5
Oh yeah, Han Solo. Anyway, Ford's GOTTA be on the list. Yeah, The Rock & Vin Diesel are potentials, but so far they haven't delievered like Ford, Gibson, Russell, and Wills. Russell is AWESOME. Great in Escape movies, Big Trouble in Little China, and I loved Solider. Russell is great but aging like the others listed. Sigh. I'm depressed.........although there are some kids, 20 somethings that I think might be able to fill those action shoes if given a chance. One of those at the top of my hopefuls list is Steven Strait. He handled the action scenes in Sky High and The Covenant well AND he can actually act. He's cute too. Maybe I'm not that depressed after all.
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Post by The Movie Mark on Sept 20, 2006 22:05:31 GMT -5
If we're looking at younger actors with potential then I'll go with James Franco. He could fulfill any potential that James Dean lost with his early death and he should've been Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
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Post by FieryMaid on Sept 25, 2006 12:01:09 GMT -5
I haven't been that impressed with James Franco. I guess I'm going to be shot now - but I never liked James Dean.
I like Toby Maguire as Peter Parker/Spiderman. He can give a sweet dorkiness to Peter Parker that I don't think James Franco could have. I'm glad James Franco didn't get the part.
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Post by The Movie Mark on Sept 25, 2006 12:10:25 GMT -5
I haven't been that impressed with James Franco. I guess I'm going to be shot now - but I never liked James Dean. I like Toby Maguire as Peter Parker/Spiderman. He can give a sweet dorkiness to Peter Parker that I don't think James Franco could have. I'm glad James Franco didn't get the part. I have a problem cheering for action heroes who I know I could drop within the space of about 12 seconds. Actually, I have a BIG problem cheering for action heroes that my 11-year old brother could beat up COUGH maguire COUGH. Granted, I could beat up James Franco as well, but at least he looks like he could put up a fight, certainly moreso if he put on a little weight.
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