Get Ready for the Epic Quest: A Luc Besson Action Movie Ranking In the pantheon of action heroes, few names evoke the same sense of style, spectacle, and sheer cinematic audacity as Luc Besson. From the gritty, dystopian streets of “The New World” to the fantastical realms of “The Fifth Element,” Besson has consistently pushed the boundaries of the action genre, delivering unforgettable blockbusters that have captivated audiences worldwide. As the mastermind behind some of the most iconic and beloved films in the 80s and 90s, Besson’s influence can be seen in the work of countless filmmakers, from Russell Crowe to Keanu Reeves. But what makes Besson’s action movies truly remarkable? Which ones stand the test of time, and which ones are mere one-hit wonders? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Luc Besson’s action movies, ranking them from the best to the worst, and exploring what makes them tick
The Evolution of Besson’s Directorial Style
Few names carry more weight in the world of action movies than the French filmmaker Luc Besson, a director responsible for some of the most acclaimed action movies of all time. While Besson has been behind some beloved cult classics and mainstream hits, he’s also delivered some underwhelming action movies across his more than four decades of filmmaking.
With genre-bending releases that include fast-paced assassin stories, awe-inspiring sci-fi spectacles, and raw, gritty crime thrillers, even Besson’s failures were wildly ambitious and unique films. Many of Besson’s most badass movies were in the action genre, and while he is also known for writing screenplays for classics like Taxi and The Transporter, this ranking is focused on his directorial work.
While behind-the-scenes controversies have recontextualized some of Besson’s work in a less-than-perfect light, there’s no denying that he was also one of the most important voices of action filmmaking in the 1990s and beyond.
The Controversies and Legacy
Behind-the-Scenes Controversies
Overview of the controversies surrounding Besson’s films and their impact.
How these controversies have shaped public perception of his work.
The ongoing debate about Besson’s artistic integrity.
The Legacy of Besson’s Action Films
The enduring impact of Besson’s films on the action genre.
How Besson’s work has influenced subsequent generations of filmmakers.
The future of Besson’s legacy in the action film landscape.
The Darker Side: Crime Thrillers and Action Movies
The gritty realism of Besson’s thrillers.
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999) and Adrenalin (2002)
The gritty realism and intense action sequences in The Messenger.
Analysis of the film’s historical accuracy and cinematic qualities.
The film’s reception and impact on Besson’s career.
The Unrelenting Thriller: Adrenalin
The intense action and psychological depth of Adrenalin.
The film’s unique premise and its execution.
The film’s critical reception and cult following.
The Failure to Launch: DogMan (2023) and Other Missteps
A disappointing misstep.
DogMan: A Disappointing Misstep
The film’s intriguing premise and its disappointing execution.
Analysis of the film’s narrative and character flaws.
The film’s reception and its place in Besson’s filmography.
Other Notable Failures
Overview of other underwhelming action movies in Besson’s career.
Analysis of the common themes and flaws in these films.
The impact of these failures on Besson’s overall legacy.
- Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)
- DogMan (2023)
The Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime is a Great Time, But One of its Main Problems is that it Features a Ton of Filler Arcs.
Almost half of the show is composed of filler arcs, which means half the show is inconsequential to the plot.
All of these arcs also come with a lot of brand-new, exclusive characters.
Great: Zigfried
Zigfried is a pretty fun villain overall.
After all of the world-ending plots, he really just wants to destroy Kaiba because he’s always No. 2.
He’s completely unhinged and will resort to cheating if he has to.
Bad: Valon
Valon is frustrating, to say the least.
His armor cards make no sense and are designed specifically to let him punch his opponents in the face for some reason, his accent is obviously fake and incredibly annoying, and his attitude is grating.
He’s just not a villain that is enjoyable to watch.
Great: Rafael
Rafael is the better villain from the Waking the Dragons arc.
He beats Atem in a shocking upset and forces him to confront the evils in his heart.
No one is perfect, even Yugi.
He forces him into a corner and causes him to use the Seal of Orichalcos.
Bad: Yami Alexander
Yami Alexander is the most boring villain from the most unmemorable arc.
Capsule Monsters is hard to get through despite only being a few episodes.
Yami Alexander is the villain, being the dark side of Alexander the Great split apart by the Millennium Ring.
He has little personality and is a caricature at best.
Great: Noah
Noah was a good villain because he fit his role perfectly.
He was a bratty child who thought he was better than Kaiba.
Despite this, he threw a fit when he didn’t get what he wanted, and he lived in a world that bent to his every whim.
Bad: Almost Everyone From The KC Grand Championship
The KC Grand Championship arc was full of a bunch of duelists that could have actually been interesting.
None of them get any development at all.
They’re all caricatures of one aspect of their personality.
Great: Leon
Leon was certainly a fun character to watch during this arc of the show.
The show makes it pretty apparent that he is an important character, but fans aren’t really clued into how until the very end.
The “brother” reveal at the end of the arc is pretty hard to see coming except for a few key indicators.
Bad: Alister
Alister’s motives for hating Kaiba are silly.
He hates Gozaburo for
Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Facts
We’re back at it with more Yu-Gi-Oh card facts.
In case you didn’t spot my previous article on Yu-Gi-Oh, I used to play a lot as a kid.
Back where I am from, you were either into Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh (Digimon didn’t even factor, sorry not sorry) and there was a fierce rivalry between the two factions.
Looking back on it, they’re both wildly successful card games so there probably wasn’t any need for any tribalism, but hey.
Anyway, I casually played Yu-Gi-Oh and watched the anime as a kid.
As an adult, I appreciate the many memes that Yu-Gi-Oh the anime has bestowed upon us but I am a little rusty.
That being said, there are some Yu-Gi-Oh cards that even I remember being bad or have heard should not be played.
I also know that the game has been around long enough to have some crazy-expensive cards pop up.
We grew up watching Seto Kaiba flashing his money looking for a Blue Eyes White Dragon in the anime, so it’s not exactly surprising.
But what are the worst of the worst and the best of the best?
What is the most expensive card that you can get on the market?
I’ve done some digging, and there are some wildly expensive and massively terrible cards that we can check out together.
If you’re an old-timer like me, you might want to dust off your old deck and see if you have any surprise valuables in there.
If you have some bad cards, you may want to trade them out to someone who doesn’t necessarily know better.
Expensive: Crush Card Virus ($2474)
You know how I keep mentioning Seto Kaiba?
That’s because he, and the anime as a whole, have shaped the Yu-Gi-Oh community in a number of ways; from memes to new players, this guy won’t stop refreshing the community.
This card, for example, can be sold for thousands if it bears the code SJCS-EN004.
Why? Because it is the card Seto Kaiba uses in the anime and cites as an important player in his deck.
Cards with this number were handed out to winners in the Shonen Jump Championship as a promo card and I am so jealous.
Worst: Zone Eater
Unless you have a water deck, this card is not worth your time.
That being said, I have seen many games end with a few rounds of each player using this card.
Even if you do have a low-level water deck, this won’t do you any favors.
Honestly, this is another hard pass for me as I consider it a waste of energy to keep around.
It only prolongs games in a desperate attempt to gain ground.
This is a bad card, no doubt about it.
Expensive: GSC Dark Magician Girl ($1100-$6600)
This girl may as well be the mascot of the franchise at this point; players are all too familiar with her and even casuals and non-players can recognize her.
With her popularity and fame in mind, it is no wonder that her prices can go so high.
Many old-school fans such as myself may want to check their decks and see if they have one.
If you have cash and want to bag yourself a card-game celebrity to add to your collection, Dark Magician Girl is a good investment.
Worst: Fortress Whale
The attack and defense stats do not warrant the amount of effort it takes to get this bad boy to work.
Its average stats of 2350 ATK and 2150 DEF are not worth having to wait to have both it and Fortress Whale’s oath in your hand.
That’s before you have to sacrifice a bunch of monsters to satisfy that star rating.
It is an actual joke that you have to work so hard to obtain an average monster when there are far stronger and better-quality ones out there.
Expensive: Blue Eyes White Dragon ($1300-$3900)
The Blue Eyes White Dragon is basically an old-but-gold meme at this point.
I can hear Kaiba’s voice in my head saying it every time I see that card.
You can earn some actual gold and flash some cash if you happen to sell the rare Chinese version of the beloved card.
It’s another case of very few were made back in the day and an even more limited number are being sold online or in obscure stores.
This card is cool, but is it blow-all-my-next-pay-check cool?
Maybe.
Worst: Parasitic Ticky
This guy takes being situational
Conclusion
In conclusion, our comprehensive ranking of Luc Besson’s action movies has taken us on a thrilling journey through the French auteur’s oeuvre, showcasing his unique blend of high-octane action, stylish visuals, and memorable characters. From the groundbreaking “Le Femme Nikita” to the visually stunning “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” Besson’s films have consistently pushed the boundaries of the action genre, leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape.
The significance of Besson’s contributions to action cinema cannot be overstated. His influence can be seen in countless other films and filmmakers, and his innovative approach to action sequences has raised the bar for the industry as a whole. Moreover, his ability to craft strong, complex female characters has helped pave the way for greater representation and diversity in Hollywood. As we look to the future of action cinema, it will be fascinating to see how Besson’s legacy continues to shape the genre and inspire a new generation of filmmakers.
As we reflect on Besson’s body of work, one thing is clear: his action movies are not just thrilling entertainment, but a testament to the power of cinematic storytelling to captivate, inspire, and challenge audiences. In an era of increasingly formulaic blockbusters, Besson’s films stand as a beacon of originality and creativity, reminding us that even the most explosive, adrenaline-fueled action sequences can be elevated by a dash of style, wit, and intellectual curiosity. As the curtain closes on our ranking, we’re left with a profound appreciation for the master of mayhem, Luc Besson – and the enduring impact he’s had on the action movies we love.