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5 Overlooked Action Movies Of 2014

Which big-screen action romps from 2014 should you give another look?

Published

10 years ago

March 25, 2015

While we’re heading into the heat of 2015, yesteryear’s big action movies had a lot to offer too. However, there’s a few films that fell under the radar, whether it be due to overshadowing from another release or negative press, but if you did miss them, we wanted to give a shout-out to those movies that should get a second-look.

The Maze Runner

It would be easy to write The Maze Runner off as ‘just another adaptation’, but the intriguing world of James Dashner’s book series came to life excellently on the big screen. A great cast, strong performances, an mysterious premise, and some pretty intense (and somewhat frightening) action sequences make the movie a must-watch. With the second film in the franchise, Scorch Trials, hitting cinemas later this year, there’s no better time than now to check out The Maze Runner.

The Maze Runner

John Wick

Say what you want about Keanu Reeves, but the man can pull off brooding pissed-off assassin better than anyone. John Wick is arguably the most stylish movie of 2014 and delivers on the action big time with some incredible gun-fu choreography and fight scenes unlike anything you’ve seen before. It’s one of Keanu’s most endearing, excruciating and badass performances of his career, and it all culminates into a film you can’t afford to ignore.

John Wick

The Raid 2: Berandal

Anyone who has seen or heard of The Raid will know that it’s gone down as a cult classic among action fanatics. The sequel ups the ante and brings a high-energy plot and over-the-top violence that will tickle genre aficionados. The film follows a SWAT member who goes undercover into a hostile prison to take down both corrupt police officials and the gangs of the criminal underworld. Need we say more?

The Raid 2

Need for Speed

OK, the plot is a little too on-the-nose and the acting leaves a lot to be desired, but no film in 2014 did vehicular action like that of Need for Speed. The video game-inspired flick saw Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul take the wheel, although he was just a catalyst to test the mettle of some incredible cars. The cinematography is seriously impressive in Need for Speed, particularly with the racing scenes. Note the lack of music in most of them, allowing for the pure sonic joy of the engines to warm up your wars.

Need for Speed

Edge of Tomorrow

Tom Cruise gets a bad rap these days due to his off-camera antics with Scientology. However, his movies seem to be getting better and better. Following the incredibly underrated sci-fi blockbuster, Oblivion, Cruise followed up with another futuristic role in Edge of Tomorrow, which follows a soldier who is having a bit of Groundhog Day time-loop while battling some deadly aliens. The movie is funny, clever, well-acted, and above all, has some incredibly impressive visuals and action sequences.