What Does Robert Rodriguez Think Makes the Best Action Movies Ever?

Action movies are an adrenaline shot to the heart. They can pump you up and are a blast to see in theaters. And I'd reckon few people actually know about them more than Robert Rodriguez, who has made a ton of them. He is a legendary filmmaker and creator of Sin City, El Mariachi, Desperado, Spy Kids, Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn, Alita: Battle Angel, The Faculty, and his newest venture, Brass Knuckle Films.Rodriquez was recently on Lex Friedman's podcast, where he talked about what he thinks make the best action movies. Let's dive in. Greatest Action Movies Ever According to Robert Rodriguez We all love a good action movie – the explosions, the chases, the high-stakes thrills. But what separates a truly great action film from a forgettable one?That's the prompt that was posed to Robert Rodriguez, and he came back with one thing that sets most action movies apart from one another: character.Think about iconic action heroes. Many resonate because, despite their skills, they aren't invincible superheroes. Take John McClane in Die Hard – he's a capable cop, sure, but he's also vulnerable, making his struggle more compelling. Even something like John Wick, now we know we don't have his skills, but he's a retired guy in mourning, who we understand has become a driven machine ready to cause a ruckus. Or Leon the Professional, which shows a loner willing to open himself up and to become a dad, even giving his life for a child, because he wants her to go down a lighter path than what's before him. So when Rodriguez delves into what are the best action movies — that's what he's looking for at the core — who is our lead, and what do we feel about them? While the "regular guy with training" trope seen in films like Under Siege and Speed is common, the most memorable films often add unique twists or emotional depth to the characters who are at the center. Rodriguez likes these movies, but wants something more from them, like a sense of urgency. Maybe that's a literal "ticking clock," like the bomb in Escape from New York, that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. But it's not just about time; emotional stakes are vital. Love stories or deep personal connections, like those seen in The Terminator or even in Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi, add layers to the action and make us care more about the outcome.We want these characters to live through it all and be rewarded in the end. Summing It All Up At the core of every great story is a character we're rooting for and the stakes that matter to them. If you have a character that pops, you can build action around them that makes us care about the stakes. So, the next time you're writing an action movie, add some character development, great set pieces, and a ticking clock, and you should be set. Let me know what you think in the comments.

May 2, 2025 - 01:16

What Does Robert Rodriguez Think Makes the Best Action Movies Ever?

Action movies are an adrenaline shot to the heart. They can pump you up and are a blast to see in theaters.

And I'd reckon few people actually know about them more than Robert Rodriguez, who has made a ton of them. He is a legendary filmmaker and creator of Sin City, El Mariachi, Desperado, Spy Kids, Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn, Alita: Battle Angel, The Faculty, and his newest venture, Brass Knuckle Films.

Rodriquez was recently on Lex Friedman's podcast, where he talked about what he thinks make the best action movies.

Let's dive in.

Greatest Action Movies Ever According to Robert Rodriguez

We all love a good action movie – the explosions, the chases, the high-stakes thrills. But what separates a truly great action film from a forgettable one?

That's the prompt that was posed to Robert Rodriguez, and he came back with one thing that sets most action movies apart from one another: character.

Think about iconic action heroes. Many resonate because, despite their skills, they aren't invincible superheroes. Take John McClane in Die Hard – he's a capable cop, sure, but he's also vulnerable, making his struggle more compelling.

Even something like John Wick, now we know we don't have his skills, but he's a retired guy in mourning, who we understand has become a driven machine ready to cause a ruckus.

Or Leon the Professional, which shows a loner willing to open himself up and to become a dad, even giving his life for a child, because he wants her to go down a lighter path than what's before him.

So when Rodriguez delves into what are the best action movies — that's what he's looking for at the core — who is our lead, and what do we feel about them?

While the "regular guy with training" trope seen in films like Under Siege and Speed is common, the most memorable films often add unique twists or emotional depth to the characters who are at the center.

Rodriguez likes these movies, but wants something more from them, like a sense of urgency. Maybe that's a literal "ticking clock," like the bomb in Escape from New York, that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

But it's not just about time; emotional stakes are vital. Love stories or deep personal connections, like those seen in The Terminator or even in Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi, add layers to the action and make us care more about the outcome.

We want these characters to live through it all and be rewarded in the end.

Summing It All Up

At the core of every great story is a character we're rooting for and the stakes that matter to them. If you have a character that pops, you can build action around them that makes us care about the stakes.

So, the next time you're writing an action movie, add some character development, great set pieces, and a ticking clock, and you should be set.

Let me know what you think in the comments.