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Every now and then, a really engaging film seems to fall by the wayside, overlooked by critics and audiences alike and left to fade into obscurity. It happens particularly to a number of strong action and adventure films, which tend to have a great deal of competition in a crowded genre.
With that said, here are three overlooked action films from the past decade that deserve another look.
Watchmen (2009)
“What was once viewed as an unfilmable comic is now something which at times is extraordinary.” That’s what this countdown of the top-50 underrated films of the 2000s had to say about Watchmen, and it’s very hard to disagree. Zack Snyder’s action-packed and highly stylized adaptation of what many actually think of as an exceptionally strong branch of superhero comic history is incredibly true to its source material. Jackie Earle Haley is outstanding as Rorschach, a vigilante antihero at the heart of the comics. Also, the screenplay by David Hayter and Alex Tse, while not without its clunkiness, does a fairly admirable job of binding a large cast of characters into a cohesive narrative. All in all, it’s just a fun, accurate, and shockingly overlooked film. It’a arguably Snyder’s best work, too, and certainly better than his 2013 Superman adaptation, Man Of Steel.
Incidentally, the film was accompanied by a video game release that was nearly as underrated and overlooked as the film itself. And if you’re going to give Watchmen another look, this game (Watchmen: The End Is Nigh) is also worth trying. Reviews for the game were mixed. However, its beautiful graphics and engaging beat-em-up gameplay coupled with voice acting from Haley and others from the film lent it a higher quality than many games that coincide with action or adventure film releases.
Beowulf (2007)
Beowulf took some bold risks that may or may not have paid off depending on your perspective. Most notable among these was the idea of essentially animating the film despite the use of live actors, resulting in a bizarre blend between live action and animation that was reminiscent of the infamous Matrix action sequences designed similarly. The film was also criticised by some for what was largely viewed as a very loose interpretation of the source literary material. However, viewed without concern over literature or cinematic tactics, Beowulf is nothing but pure fun. The action and visuals are off-the-charts spectacular and Ray Winstone is a surprisingly perfect Beowulf. Also, while the precise story elements differ greatly from the epic poem upon which they’re based, the over-the-top nature of how they’re depicted is spot on.
And for those who end up on a Beowulf kick, this film too inspired gaming adaptations. A console action game probably wasn’t as good as it ought to have been, but the characters and settings of the film have also shown up in an online casino game that’s unexpectedly engaging. This site describes the game as “the mother of all battles,” citing a battle with legendary demonic villain Grendel as part of the action. It’s really primarily a slot machine game, but it brings Beowulf to life in a way that can be fun for those who enjoy re-watching the film.
Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)
Finally there’s Kingdom Of Heaven, a frequently misunderstood historical epic that seemed to trick critics and viewers alike twice. The first trick was to design a film filled with glittering, exciting pieces, and then fail to fit them together appropriately. From the leper’s mask that covers a delightful Edward Norton’s face, to the broadsword wielded by a wild-haired Orlando Bloom, to towering castle walls and expansive armies showcasing the vastly different styles of East and West, this film looks absolutely gorgeous. Furthermore, its subject matter—that of a soldier fighting for Christian armies defending Jerusalem during the Crusades—is almost tailor-made for a successful swordplay epic.
The second trick, unfortunately, was that the Director’s Cut on Blu-ray/DVD was miles ahead of the film that was released in the cinema. This is actually a rare situation; often a Director’s Cut adds some detail or additional content without actually changing the nature or quality of a film. With Kingdom Of Heaven, it’s as if someone re-made the film for a home release, specifically to address all its shortcomings. Critical responses seemed to agree. While the film generally earned a poor reception, one review of the Director’s Cut called it “an extraordinary work of art,” a comment that reflects many fan opinions.
Any of these could be a treat the next time you’re looking for a film to watch while in the mood for a little bit of action. The genre truly feels as if it’s getting more popular every year, so it’s only natural that some worthy films are overlooked. And that’s just why these three deserve a second chance.