Top 10 Action Movies of the Decade for the 2000s

This writer loves action movies, especially action thrillers. Past favorites include The Boondock Saints, Hunt for Red October, The Negotiator and Con Air. The 2000s decade was full of more action movies than ever before. After careful thought and consideration, here is this writer's choice for top 10 action movies of the decade for the 2000s.

NOTE: Movies are listed in order of year released. Date and actor information obtained from The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)¹.

Top Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: The Mummy Returns (2001)
Action and comedy never went together so well as in The Mummy Returns. Rick O'Connell (Brendon Fraser) and Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) are married and have a son, Alex (Freddie Boath). As in the first movie, Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) is trying to make a come-back and it's up to the O'Connells to try to stop him. Add in a new enemy, the Scorpion King (Duane Johnson), and there's even more action. The added humor and special effects makes for a very enjoyable action movie.

Top Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: Jurassic Park III (2001)
Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) is back for the third installment of Jurassic Park. As before, he finds himself unwittingly in the midst of man-eating dinosaurs. The addition of William H. Macy as part of the trouble lends some humor. Dr. Grant tries to rescue a missing boy and keep his charges alive while being chased by bigger, hungrier dinosaurs definitely can be labeled as action.

Top Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: The Bourne Identity (2002)
Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is rescued from the sea. He remembers nothing about who he is. He discovers his name, passports and weapons that supposedly belong to him. He tries to find his identity while being chased down by assassins. It's Matt Damon, action enough for this writer.

Top Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: Treasure Planet (2002)
Yes, it's cartoon, but it's a really good one. This is a futuristic take on the old Treasure Island. With wonderful visuals and animation, Treasure Island has a lot of action and adventure.

Top Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: National Treasure (2004)
Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) is a treasure hunter, as was his father and his great-grandfather. In search of a treasure hidden by this country's forefathers, Gates learns that his nemesis, Ian Howe (Sean Bean), I after the treasure as well. A necessary clue just happens to be on the back of The Declaration of Independence. Authorities don't believe Gates that Howe is going to steal this well-protected document, so Gates and his crew decide to steal it for themselves. With the enemy hot on his trail and the FBI after him as well, Gates follows a trail of mystery, history and conspiracy in this action movie.

Top Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: I, Robot (2004)
In the future, robots are everywhere and a part of everyday life. Detective Del Spooner (Will Smith) doesn't trust the robots, even though they are programmed never to harm humans. His suspicions are further prodded when his mentor, Dr. Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell), apparently commits suicide. Spooner's first reaction is to blame a robot, but no one believes it could ever happen. Someone is trying to stop Spooner from finding out the truth, but he doesn't know who to believe or who to trust. Some humor lends to this action-packed movie.

Top Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: War of the Worlds (2005)
Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is just trying to make a living, and trying to be a better father while his kids are staying with him temporarily. Alien invaders come to destroy the world. While trying to protect his children in the ultimate way, he learns more about himself and others. Lots of special effects in this action movie.

Top Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: Constantine (2005)
"Hell wants him. Heaven won't take him. Earth needs him."¹ John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) hunts demons. Can Constantine gain God's favor again by fighting the demons loose in the world? In addition to facing demons, Constantine must also face double-crossing angels and himself in this action movie that also includes Rachel Weisz and Shia LaBeouf.

Top Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: Red Eye (2005)
Lisa Reisert (Rachel McAdams) gets caught up in a conspiracy to assassinate a government official on a late flight. Her seat mate, Jackson Rippner (Cillian Murphy), who is innocently handsome and charming, is part of this plot. Reisert has to find a way to prevent the assassination and save her father's life, who is being held to be sure she gets in on the plot. Great ending to this action movie.

Top Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
What top 10 list of action movies would be complete without an Indian Jones movie in there? Dr. Henry Jones, aka Indian Jones (Harrison Ford), gets tangled up in another quest. Though Harrison Ford is getting a little old to be playing this part, his character knows he is too old as well. This makes for some humorous incidents as Indiana Jones tries to save the world from those who wish to gain power for bad purposes. Reappearance of an old romance, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), and a mysterious young man (Shia LaBeouf) adds to the action.

Honorable Mention Action Movie of the Decade for the 2000s: Boondock Saints II - All Saints Day (2009)
This would be on the list, but this writer has not seen it yet. As the original Boondock Saints is this writer's favorite action movie of all time, and the sequel promises to be as action-packed as the first, it was necessary to add this movie as an honorable mention. The first movie also was very funny, and when interspersed with the action scenes, makes this a must-see for all action movie fans.

1) IMDb; The Internet Movie Database; IMDb.com