Action Movies

Although summer is the peak action movie period, there are simply too many action flicks to fit into just three months these days. Instead, the high-adrenaline adventures continue through the fall, into winter, right back to spring, and then culminate in another summer.

Regardless of the season, you can expect these movies to have several explosions, a car chase or two, a bunch of guns, and a nearly deafening soundtrack – the better to disguise the crunching of your popcorn as you bask in the actiony goodness.

2010 Action Movies
The major blockbusters start arriving in May, but the schedule has become more varied over the years.

Robin Hood – May 14
There won’t be anyone singing about men in tights or cancelling Christmas in this update on the classic tale. This time Russell Crowe takes the famous role, and with Ridley Scott in the director’s chair, you can expect the violence quotient to increase exponentially.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time – May 28
Jake Gyllenhaal buffed up for his role as a rogue prince (of Persia) who joins forces with a mysterious princess to protect a dagger that has the power to turn back time. Those who control time, control the world. The movie is brought to us by the same team that produced Pirates of the Caribbean, but we wouldn’t look for a whole lot of laughs in this one.

The A-Team – June 11
The wise-cracking band of mercenary special ops you know and love is back. We’ve got Liam Neeson as their leader, cute Bradley Cooper playing “Face,” and a UFC champion playing a slightly less blinged-out version of Mr. T’s character. Jessica Biel is in hot pursuit as a spurned lover/escaped convict hunter. There will be awesome explosions and clever quips.

Jonah Hex – June 18
We have another unlikely superhero in Josh Brolin, as gunslinger Jonah Hex of ancient lore. He’s half-mortal, half-immortal and in love with Megan Fox, the hooker with a heart of gold. However, he’s offered redemption when the Army asks him to stop a terrorist/unleasher of Hell. Hmmm, maybe it will make more sense in the theater.

Knight and Day - June 25
After a long absence, Tom Cruise returns to the silver screen as a charming assassin/spy who drags a lonely Cameron Diaz into the most violent edition of The Amazing Race ever. It’s funny, it’s romantic, it packs a really high bullet count. It’s a little something for everyone.

The Last Airbender – July 2
Earth, Water, Fire, and Air–elements and nations at war in this live-action movie based on the popular animated Nickelodeon series. The Fire Nation is raging war on the others and only one young Avatar, Aang (Noah Ringer), has the power to manipulate all four elements. He is the only chance the nations have of restoring balance to their world. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this movie features amazing special effects, including tidal waves, hurricanes, and fireball fights with the precision of samurai warriors. Expect sequels.

Predators – July 9
Fear is reborn in this new installment of the Predator and Aliens franchise. A new breed of Predators have plucked mercenaries, Black Ops warriors, Yakuza, convicts, and death squad members from their combative lives on Earth and dropped them in the middle of wild terrain on an alien planet…to be hunted. Now these trained killers must find a way to survive as they are tracked by Predators unlike any enemy they’ve ever seen. Presented by Robert Rodriguez, the film features  Adrien Brody, Danny Trejo, Lawrence Fishburne, and, yes, Topher Grace–but it looks like there’s enough alien action, weaponry, and suspense to keep you engrossed and keep this franchise alive.

This winter and spring offer a little of everything for action movie fans, but you can be sure the body count will be high and a lot of fake rounds were expended in the name of entertainment.