Kill Bill Vol. 1 has one of the best battle scenes of all-time
Since cinema’s early days, battle scenes have been popular with all audiences. And today's state-of-the-art battle scenes can get your heart pounding and your jaw dropping.
Our idea of a great battle scene involves at least one person (usually more) taking on a large group of people (or creatures). Machines are sometimes used as accessories, but people are the principal characters, and the stakes are high for everyone involved. If the events unfolding on-screen are based on truth, they're all the more interesting to watch.
Let's unleash some havoc with these top 10 battle scenes.
Number 10
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The Burly BrawlThe setup: Smith (Hugo Weaving), once an agent of the Matrix, is now a rogue virus with the ability to clone himself. In an abandoned courtyard, Smith and his many duplicates (try 100) confront hacker turned virtual action hero Neo (Keanu Reeves).
The scene: Although the Wachowski Brothers used ample CGI assistance to bring this eye-popping duel to the screen, it takes place inside a virtual world, so that makes it very fitting. The directors also went to great pains to make sure that the battle scene looked as real as possible, even if the actors aren't. High-resolution cameras initially filmed Reeves and Weaving from various ground and aerial positions before recreating their likenesses with computers. The result is a digitally choreographed battle of mesmerizing crafty punches, kicks and flying to top it all off. Most memorable are Neo's inventive uses of a pole to fend off the various Smith incarnations. Say what you will about the quality of the Matrix sequels, but the Burly Brawl is still an impressive benchmark in effects-enhanced movie battle scenes.
Number 9
Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)
The Bride vs. the Crazy 88sThe setup: The Bride (Uma Thurman) is looking for O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu) to avenge her husband-to-be's murder and the death of her unborn child. At the House of Blue Leaves, The Bride must get past the fearsome Crazy 88s if she hopes to cross paths with O-Ren.
The battle: In a tight yellow jump suit, Uma Thurman shows a flair for acrobatics and ass-kicking in this big-time bloody battle scene. No lives or limbs are spared as The Bride is outnumbered on every floor of Blue Leaves, but manages to dispense her foes with precision sword moves and swift athletics (some courtesy of stunt double Zoe Bell). Quentin Tarantino's original cut of the film was too much for the MPAA and they forced him to change part of this battle scene to black and white to cut down on the sheer amount of blood. This change actually works in the film's favor and proves to be the highlight of an already impressive fight sequence -- well that and The Bride's one-on-one with Gogo Yubari, O-Ren's demented schoolgirl/bodyguard.
Number 8
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
The Battle of EndorThe setup: With the second Death Star nearing completion, the Rebel Alliance launches a gutsy three-pronged attack against the Galactic Empire. What the Rebels don't know is that the Death Star is already operational and the Emperor has been awaiting their arrival.
The battle: Star Wars fans have a strong loyalty to the battle on icy Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back, but we prefer the series-ending Endor battle for its rousing underdog charm and nonstop action. Logically, there's no reason for the Empire's elite to lose, but who's keeping track? Do we want the Empire to win? No! This battle scene is a keeper because it continually engages the audience with a trio of compelling story threads. In space, Lando Calrissian and the rest of the Rebel Fleet are scrambling to avoid Death Star hits by dangerously engaging the powerful Imperial ships. On Endor, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and the furry Ewoks are taking on stormtroopers and AT-ST walkers. The most suspenseful moments come from Luke Skywalker's final showdown with Darth "Dad" Vader and the evil Emperor on board the Death Star.
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