With the release of Paul Greengrass’ new film starring Matt Damon, Green Zone, here are the TOP TEN ONE MAN ARMIES in film.
10. Iron Man – Iron Man (2008)
Tony Stark is fed up with wars being raged, fueled by his weapons. So he decides to build his ultimate weapon: the Iron Man suit that he and only he will use to end these conflicts. “My old man had a philosophy: peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy.”
9. The Bride – Kill Bill (2003 – 2004)
After being beaten nearly to death, she survives and decides to take out her revenge, one by one, on every last one of her former, traitorous team members. The Bride is a deadly force to be reckoned with, especially with her new Hatori Hanzo blade in hand. “Those of you lucky enough to have your lives, take them with you. However, leave the limbs you’ve lost. They belong to me now.”
8. Frank Castle – The Punisher (2004)
I honestly have a soft spot for Thomas Jane as a fun campy actor. I also have a soft spot for his kick-ass Marvel comic book movie – The Punisher. I know that this movie isn’t that great (and John Travolta does is best to make it suck), but I can’t help but love watching Mr. Jane with a cross bow. “I have work to do. Read your newspaper everyday and you’ll understand. … The Obituaries.”
7. Jason Bourne – The Bourne Trilogy (2002 – 2007)
Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass have fun with one of the best special agents trying to survive, while trying to discover his past after forgetting it all. He makes a mess of any country he shows up in and even worse for those that they come after him in. “I swear to God, if I even feel somebody behind me, there is no measure to how fast and how hard I will bring this fight to your doorstep. I’m on my own side now.”
6. Harry Callahan – Dirty Harry Franchise (1971 – 1988)
Dirty Harry is one of my favorite cop films ever made, so I can’t help but put the man (Clint Eastwood) on the list. “You’ve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?”
5. John McClane – Die Hard (1988 – 2007)
What happens on Christmas Eve when you show up to try and surprise your wife that hates your guts and try and work things over? Well, a bunch of European terrorists take the place hostage in an attempt to rob the place blind. Well, Mr. McClane isn’t having it. He hides and takes them out one by one. “Yippie Kay Yay Muthafucka”
4. Batman – Batman (1989)
I chose this version of the film over all others because this is the only one where Batman actually doesn’t care about the safety of the villains. There are numerous shots where you see him throw henchmen over the edge and break bones. He doesn’t give a damn, while in Christopher Nolan‘s version it’s explicitly stated how he cares too much. “Ya wanna get nuts?!? Come on, let’s get nuts!”
3. Robocop – Robocop (1987)
What would you think if I told you we could bring him back? If he didn’t need to be dead? We could bring him and make him stronger and faster than before. This is ROBOCOP. The cop that is part-human, mostly machine. “Dead or alive, you’re coming with me! “
2. Superman – Superman (1978)
What can beat the man of steel. There is literally no way to defeat, except a stupid green rock. Christopher Reeves remains my favorite Superman, and even though I loved the reboot/sequel that Bryan Singer did a few years ago, nothing tops Richard Donner‘s original film adaptation in my mind. “I’m here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way.”
1. Rambo – First Blood Part II (1985)
He single-handedly won the Vietnam War for America – nuff said. Rambo got angry and then he destroyed a nation. It’s easy to say this when you’re dealing with comic-book superheros (like mentioned in this list already), but when a man made of flesh and blood and not takions or radiated spiders does this he has to win the race for the best ‘one man army’. “Murdock… I’m coming to get you!”