Top 10 Action Dads

Relationships with our Dads both as Men or Woman can often be tricky and difficult things and this is reflected in movies where Dads tend to get a bit of a rough go of it. Initially, while trying to put together a list for Father's Day, I was finding it a little difficult until I went back to the trusty action genre where, while Dads may often not get it exactly right, as we will see, they are always trying their damned hardest against difficult odds.
Here then is our list of the Top 10 Action Dads!

10. Eddie Marino in Vigilante played by Robert Forster

Ok so again he may fail to prevent the death of his child but Eddie does hunt down the Che Guevara look-a-likes responsible (with the help of Fred "The Hammer" Williamson) and gets all violent and revengy on their punk asses.

9. Rama in The Raid 2: Berendal played by Iko Uwais

Although he doesn't get to see his kid very much in this sequel, Rama does get to hear him over the phone when he sneakily calls home, in one of the film's most heart wrenching and beautiful scenes. It's all been terrible luck really as, in order to protect his family, the initially hesitant Rama agrees to a plan which lands him in prison for an, unplanned, period of over 2 years. Still, don't lie, absentee or not, you'd want Rama as your Dad for when the going got rough.

8. John McClane in The Die Hard Franchise played by Bruce Willis

Although in the first 3 films of the famous franchise McClane gets more grief than praise as a father (somewhat unfairly one might add as he is busy saving people and stopping terrorists) in part 4 he saves and wins back his daughter's affection and in part 5 it's his son's turn. Both of them seemed to have been manipulated by their mother into unreasonably hating their father but I guess conflict eventually leads to contentment when they see him kicking ass and taking names.

7. Henry Jones, Sr. in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade played by Sean Connery

Although he might seem to have been an absentee father, more interested in the Grail legend than raising his son, and although he may initially shout at, question and annoy his son when they are reunited; Henry Jones, Sr. is every bit his son's equal in the adventure stakes, eventually and emotionally reconciles with him, is best friends with the legendary Denholm Elliot and played by James 'friggin' Bond!!

6. Damon Macready (Big Daddy) in Kick Ass played by Nicolas Cage

While many may and do question his daughter raising techniques there is no question that he loves his little Hit Girl more than anything. 

5. Det. Ken O'Hara in Bloodmoon played by Gary Daniels

From frolicking on the beach to sort of "saving" her from, what turns out to be, a confetti bomb at the end, Ken O'Hara is a dedicated and Britkicking father.

4. DEA Agent Phil Broker in Homefront played by Jason Statham

With this and Safe, Statham showed his softer side by first playing friend and then, in this, father to a young girl. Not that the criminals think he's soft when he beats up and kills anyone who threatens and then kidnaps his daughter. She's hardly a slouch in the fisticuffs stakes either as it is her take down of a brat, belonging to the junky sister of one of the crims, that sets this whole unfortunate ball rolling.

3. John Matrix in Commando played by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Another Dad off to save a kidnapped daughter but this time it's Arnie and he's enormous, greased up with enormous weaponry. You get in his way and you're toast and toast is what most people have for breakfast however John Matrix eats green berets for breakfast and right now, he's very hungry!

2. Clifford Worley in True Romance played by Dennis Hopper

In the ultimate act of bad assitude and fatherly love, Clifford Worley buys his son Clarence and his new bride, Alabama, time to escape and pays with his own life but not before delivering one of the finest scenes ever written for the screen opposite the legendary Christopher Walken.

1. Bryan Mills in Taken played by Liam Neeson

Neeson as Mills takes the top spot because despite his daughter being an absolutely annoying, reckless, hair brained, little tit who is indulged by her awful Mum and rich Step Dad, all of whom hate the sensible, stable, hard nut Mills, he still tears Paris a new arse hole and kills a million Albanians just to get her back. Now THAT's a father!

Honourable Mentions
Lincoln Hawk in Over The Top played by Sylvester Stallone

Technically more of a sports, contest, road movie, drama, action film but Hawk is doing it all to get his little boy away from the evil grasps of Robert Loggia even if he has to tear the sleeves off every jacket the kid's got to do it!

Tom Mullen in Ransom played by Mel Gibson

Again this is less of an action film and more of a thriller but still prime 90s Gibbo is going to do whatever he can to get his son back. Except, of course, pay the ransom... which he clearly has.

Hope you liked our list! Happy Father's Day to, the real number one Action Dad, Dr.Action! himself a father to 3 very cool girls and to all you fathers out there who diligently, continually rock with very little praise from your significant others or the world as a whole. 

- The Kick Ass Kid

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Action movies we can't wait for!

SNITCH
A strong premise and a trailer that promises a great looking car chase has us excited for Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's next starring role.
Out February 22nd

OBLIVION

Tom Cruise fights Aliens on a distant planet but all may not be as it seems. The real reason I want to see this though? This image from the trailer...

Out April 19th

 



KICK ASS 2 - Balls to the Wall
While we don't intend to cover a lot of superhero stuff here on the blog, technically these aren't superheroes and secondly the first film was a joyous celebration of ultra violence, awesome action and fantastic swearing. We hope this continues for the sequel. Obviously the lack of Brit helmer Matthew Vaughn is a little cause for concern but we have our fingers crossed for this entertaining slice of lycra clad ass kicking.
Out June 28th

R.I.P.D.

While Ryan Reynolds isn't exactly a huge selling point for us, how about Kevin Bacon, Jeff "The Dude" Bridges, Robert Knepper from The Transporter 3 and Dr.Action Hall-Of-Famer JAMES mutherfunking HONG! Based on a graphic novel about a bunch of undead policemen, this could be some seriously cool action fun. We hope.
Out July 19th

MACHETE KILLS

Say what you like about the first one, the fact that Trejo's machete wielding federale is back is a good thing. It means lots of over-the-top action, shexy ladiesh and tons o'blood letting. What's not to love?
Out September 13th

THE TOMB
Outside of The Expendables this will be the first time where the two powerhouses of 80s action will share the screen. Stallone's been to prision before in Tango & Cash and Lock Up and the high concept of this action thriller is as intriguing as it is exciting. Sadly the lackluster and baffling responses to the fantastic The Last Stand and brilliant Bullet to the Head might effect this genius idea at the box office but let's hope not, let's hope people pull their heads out of their arses and realise that Stallone and Schwarzenegger in a movie together like this is a dream come true for all mankind.
Out September 27th

THEN THE STATH IS BACK!

HUMMINGBIRD
Statham has a busy work sheet at the moment and a good thing too because we need our favourite British action star to keep working! Hummingbird is all about an ex-special forces soldier finding himself homeless. No word yet on how much action there is, I think Statham described it more as a drama but whatever it is we'll be there opening night. Here are a few more pictures from the set:

 

 

HOMEFRONT

Originally intended as a Sylvester Stallone starring film, Sly, instead, handed this to his Expendables co-star Statham. The story of a DEA Agent tangling with a local meth druglord in small town America stars, apart from Statham, James Franco, Winona Ryder and Kate Bosworth.

 

Both films are currently listed as having 2013 release dates although I imagine one will be early next year.

 

Then there's Expendables 3 news about it starting shooting as soon as this autumn!!

 

Stay Tuned, mumble and carry a big fucking gun - The Kick Ass Kid!