The ten finest motion scenes of 2023

December 27, 2023

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After a 2022 that gave us RRR, Avatar: The Method of Water, and Prime Gun: Maverick, it was laborious to think about this yr may match that stage of motion excellence. However 2023 got here via.

Mainstay motion franchises like John Wick and Mission: Unimaginable launched scintillating new entries, long-running style auteurs like Michael Mann and Man Ritchie breathed new life into their evolving fashion, and nations world wide contributed their very own depictions of kick-ass cinematic violence. Even tv stepped its recreation up this yr, with a bevy of thrilling motion collection.

I like motion films, and spent a lot of this yr catching up on them. This record isn’t the perfect motion films of the yr (though many are included), however slightly the perfect motion scenes of the yr — together with each films and TV. If you would like the perfect motion films of the yr, you’ll find them among the many finest films of the yr.

This record solely consists of films that had theatrical or at-home releases within the US in 2023 (so pageant releases like Mayhem! aren’t eligible, however might be subsequent yr). It was extremely tough to slender it all the way down to 10, so I’ve included some honorable mentions on the backside. I additionally haven’t seen Napoleon but, which possible has sturdy contenders, and the good Mayhem! is technically a 2024 launch, so it’s sadly not eligible right here.

Right here’s our record of the standout motion and battle scenes of the yr so that you can get pleasure from at residence. We’ve bought the ten finest on the high (in no explicit order), adopted by some high honorable mentions and others so that you can contemplate. The place doable, we’ve included a hyperlink to observe the scene. Let’s get into it.

John Wick: Chapter 4 — The Arc de Triomphe chase

The place to observe the film: Starz, or for digital rental/buy

OK, I mentioned no particular order, however we have to start out right here, as a result of no film was extra dedicated to continuous motion in 2023 than John Wick: Chapter 4. Because of this, this was the toughest film to decide on one scene from, as a result of theoretically all of John Wick: Chapter 4 may depend because the yr’s finest motion sequence.

For me, although, all of it comes again to the Arc de Triomphe automotive sequence. It’s a mesmerizing show of choreography, digicam work, hazard, and the great quantity of labor Keanu Reeves has put in to be the motion star he’s at the moment. However I’ll additionally add a particular shoutout to the Sacré-Coeur steps sequence — Lionsgate made a 10-hour model of Keanu falling down the steps

Dangerous Metropolis — Tak Sakaguchi is unstoppable

Tak Sakaguchi advances with a knife at unfathomable speed before relaxing, like a predator ready to strike, in Bad City

The place to observe the film: Prime Video, free with a library card on Hoopla, or for digital rental/buy

Dangerous Metropolis is a down-and-dirty throwback to Japan’s direct-to-video V-cinema period, starring former V-cinema star Hitoshi Ozawa (Yakuza 0), however that’s not the principle promoting level. The primary promoting level is matching director Kensuke Sonomura’s hyperkinetic choreography with former underground avenue fighter Tak Sakaguchi’s combating prowess, making a hypnotic impact each time the latter is on the display screen.

Shin Kamen Rider — Tremendous pace

Shin Kamen Rider vs. the Wasp in Shin Kamen Rider, as the Wasp runs by in super-speed while they fight

The place to observe the film: Prime Video

I’m not as down on The Flash because it appears everybody else is (I believe it’s higher than a lot of the yr’s different DC choices), however there’s no arguing the film is a multitude. Shin Kamen Rider, however, isn’t a multitude — together with Maaveeran, it’s one the very finest superhero films of the yr, and it undoubtedly has the perfect depiction of tremendous pace of any film this yr.

Mission: Unimaginable — Useless Reckoning Half One — Practice fall

The place to observe the film: Digital rental/buy

Just like the Sacré-Coeur steps in John Wick 4, Useless Reckoning reminds us that motion sequences will be humorous in addition to thrilling. It’s the right injection of slapstick hijinks right into a irritating film (and a irritating sequence), leaning on Tom Cruise’s oft-underutilized abilities as a comic book actor.

Ferrari — Mille Miglia

The place to observe the film: Theaters

You might not consider a automotive race as an motion sequence, however A) the Mille Miglia was no extraordinary automotive race, B) that is Michael Mann we’re speaking about, and C) that is my record. Probably the most intense sequences of the yr, Ferrari’s Mille Miglia follows the one-thousand-mile endurance race. Mann successfully combines the thrill of motorsport with the hazard round each excessive pace nook.

Blue Eye Samurai — Mizu vs. Thousand Claw military

The place to observe the present: Netflix

One of many finest exhibits of the yr, Blue Eye Samurai actually kicks into excessive gear within the fifth episode. There’s nothing actually unsuitable with the earlier 4, that’s simply how good the fifth one is. And it culminates in a banger of a showdown, as Mizu takes on a complete military by herself. Shout out to her ankle-slicing approach from below the door.

The Continental — Rooftop battle

The place to observe the present: Peacock

I entered The Continental cynically — I like the Wick films, however didn’t actually see the necessity for Winston/lodge backstory. However after I realized motion director Larnell Stovall can be becoming a member of the mission, I modified my tune utterly. Stovall peppers the present with sturdy motion beats, however none are stronger than the third episode’s rooftop sequence, the place MMA-trained actor Nhung Kate squared off towards contortionist Marina Mazepa (Malignant). One of the best fights, actual or fictional, typically come from stylistic variations, and this one’s an important instance.

The Roundup: No Method Out — Ma Dong-seok vs. Hong Joon-young

The place to observe the film: Nowhere but! Justice for Ma Dong-seok!

The Roundup trilogy has been a box-office sensation in South Korea, resting on the mighty shoulders and heavy punches of star Ma Dong-seok. No Method Out is the franchise’s strongest entry but, and Ma’s showdown with Korean champion MMA fighter Hong Joon-young is likely one of the many highlights of the film. The battle isn’t accessible in full on-line, so as an alternative, benefit from the above supercut of each depraved punch Ma throws in No Method Out.

Sakra — Donnie Yen vs. the world

Donnie Yen fights a bunch of people on a table in Sakra

The place to observe the film: Prime Video, Peacock, free with library card on Hoopla, or for digital rental/buy

I had bother following Sakra’s labyrinthine plot, however I had no bother having fun with the hell out of this battle. In it, star and co-director Donnie Yen destroys a complete room price of adversaries as his punches hit like shotgun blasts.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem — No Diggity

The place to observe the film: Paramount Plus

Spider-Man: Throughout the Spider-Verse broke new floor in mixing completely different animation kinds, but it surely was the dependable ‘Turts that got here via with the perfect animated motion sequence in films this yr. It’s rhythmic, humorous, makes essentially the most out of the medium, and like the remainder of the film, it’s filled with foolish teenage pleasure.