Resurgence of 1980's Male Action Stars

Live Free or Die Hard, the latest installment in the Die Hard franchise opened this week, almost 20 years after the original, to critical acclaim. The 52 year old Bruce Willis reprises his action starring role as the invincible, explosive John McClane. There appears to be a resurgence of 80's action stars returning to the action screen that made them famous, only they're slightly older and wiser.

The soon to be 60 year old governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger took on his internationally famous role of the Terminator in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines merely 4 years ago. Age is but a number when it comes to action superstars. Notably T3 failed to reach the epic success of its Terminator predecessors, but we don't hear the Governator crying at all with newfound political successes.

Is it simply that no newer male action stars can top the success their 80's counterparts reached? Or is it that these 80's action stars refuse to retire quietly, but go out with a bang, in the vein of their action movie successes?

Harrison Ford, 65, joins Steven Spielberg and George Lucas once again as the whip slapping adventurer Indiana Jones slated for a 2008 release. Ford who undoubtedly has aged well, nevertheless is old enough to be a grandfather, but could no doubt take on my father and I with a flick of the whip. Ford is the face of the biggest trilogies in movie history with the Indiana Jones' and original Star Wars franchises.

Unfortunately looking rather weathered is Sylvester Stallone, 61, who most recently returned to his career making role as the titled character in Rocky Balboa, the 6th installment and over 30 years since the release of the original. It is the return to his other action famed character in the titled John Rambo that has us curious. Can the 61 year old still turn out a ripped body, machine gun rattling and explosion infused performance for 2007 audiences?

These distinguished and older gentlemen will put to more of a test than can they stay fit, hold a gun and look tough when they face the box office numbers. In a world of Johnny Depp's, Brad Pitt's, Matt Damon's and George Clooney's, will Willis, Harrison and Sly remain relevant and powerful? When will the retire into the sunset in the style of the old western action heroes? No doubt, the silver screen is far more forgiving of the aged male, than his aged female counterparts. Sly, Willis and Harrison can still kick butt and look tough doing so I'd be willing to bet, you certainly won't hear a challenge on my part.