As an audience, we sometimes love to see movies that show the badassery that can result when normal human beings are pushed past their breaking point. With yesterday's release of Mel Gibson's Edge of Darkness, I got to thinking about some of the other revenge movies out there. Here is my list of the Top 10 revenge movies of all time and no, it doesnt include Jaws 4: The Revenge.
As always, if you have one I missed, (and Ive heard I need to catch up with some guy named Charles Bronson) let me know in the comments section below. Just dont sick Liam Neeson on me!
This is the tale of a guy who wants to find his wifes killer so bad, not even short-term memory loss can stop him. Vengeance is a dish best served wait, what was I talking about?
9) The Crow
This movie has a bit of supernatural to it, as Jason Lees character is murdered and brought back to life to avenge his death.
Eight) Sweeney Todd
Johnny Depps Sweeney Todd is a barber who is really pissed off for being stuck in another Tim Burton movie, or maybe it's the fact that his wife was killed take your pick. As a result, a usually kind barber starts doing the unthinkable. But hey, the upside is that a few people get some really tasty meat pies.
7) Man on Fire
Never piss off Denzel Washington is the central lesson in 2004s Man on Fire, in which the actor takes vengeance on the people who kidnapped a girl he was hired to protect. Once he finds out who did it, it's not a pretty sight.
6) Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn
Kaaahhhnnn!!! Oh yeah, the galaxies' best revenge tale started as an episode of the original series of Star Trek entitled "Space Seed" I mean, uhh, some episode. (I guess I can forget about getting laid after that slip.) After Kirk drops off Kahn on a remote planet, Kahn plots his revenge before attempting to take on the unsuspecting Kirk causing a great battle between the two.
5) Braveheart
Mel Gibson stars as William Wallace, a Scottish peasant who gets really pissed after some English soldiers rape and murder his wife. As a result, Wallace runs the Brits out of Scottland after engaging in a series of really brutal battles. This movie transforms from revenge tale to a quest for freedom toward the end, but at its heart Braveheart is about avenging those you love.
Clint Eastwood looks like someone who would seek vengeance over the theft of a Bic pen, but in this movie, someone actually tries to kill him. Heres a tip for would-be villains: Make sure you get it right, or Clint Eastwood will shoot you repeatedly in the face, even.
Bruce Lee is the original vengeance character. In Fists of Fury, Lee plays an average Joe who avenges the death of his friends by beating the holy hell out of everyone he comes across.
2) Taken
Liam Neeson exemplifies badassery in this 2009 film about a father seeking his daughter's kidnappers. Everyone remembers the monologue in the trailer (see below); when Neeson says I will find you, and I will kill you Im pretty sure everyone, like me, believed him.
1) Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2
The best vengeance story takes a female as the lead. Interesting. In Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2, Uma Thurmans The Bride seeks her revenge for a whole list of offenses: her shooting, the murder of her husband-to-be and his whole family, plus the loss of her unborn baby. After The Bride regains her footing, she embarks on a bloody quest to kill those involved in her betrayal. Bad ass, indeed.
Honorable Mention: Last House on the Left
There are two versions of the movie, and whichever way you go, be prepared to see two parents go well beyond their breaking point to get revenge on a group who nearly killed their daughter. Disturbing
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