Daniel Day-Lewis is often celebrated as one of the finest actors in the history of cinema, boasting three Academy Awards to his name—three more than his fellow English actor, Jason Statham. However, while Day-Lewis excels in dramatic roles, has he ever matched Statham's feats of choking a man with casino chips, knocking out someone with a coin, killing with a spoon, or even punching someone in the fist with their own head? All these extraordinary actions were performed by Jason Statham in a single film, showcasing his unique brand of action-hero prowess. There's truly no comparison.
Jason Statham has solidified his status as one of the most reliable action stars of the 21st century. With his latest film, A Working Man, now released, it's the perfect time to celebrate his career's most memorable moments. After all, until the Oscars start recognizing feats like walking through fire, water-skiing blindfolded, or mastering the piano later in life, it's only fair to honor Statham's contributions to cinema.
The Best Jason Statham Movie Moments
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12. Homefront
Ever wondered if Jason Statham's action heroes could take down three opponents with their hands tied behind their back? In Homefront, Statham does exactly that, proving his characters' incredible resilience and skill. It's a thrilling way to start our list of his best moments.
The Beekeeper
In The Beekeeper, Statham's character shows unexpected mercy by allowing some scam call centre employees to escape before he demolishes their building. However, he compensates for this leniency by pursuing the call centre manager, strapping him to his truck, and sending it off a bridge, dragging the villain behind. This scene exemplifies Statham's signature blend of action and justice.
AnswerSee Results10. Wild Card -------------Returning to the film mentioned earlier, Wild Card may have underperformed at the box office, but it features some of Statham's finest fight scenes. Directed by the mastermind behind Con Air, and with a surprise appearance by Stanley Tucci sporting hair, this movie showcases Statham using a spoon and a butter knife to take down five armed goons unscathed. Truly, Jason Statham is the king of unconventional weaponry.
Death Race
Paul W.S. Anderson's Death Race might not have won critical acclaim, but it deserves recognition for its commitment to practical effects. The film, released years before Mad Max: Fury Road, features Statham outsmarting the formidable Juggernaut with the help of a rival. It's a testament to the power of real stunts over CGI.
The Meg
No list of Jason Statham's highlights would be complete without his epic battle against a megalodon in The Meg. Statham not only slices the giant shark from end to end but also rides it as it leaps into the air, stabbing its eye with a spear. This scene underscores Statham's ability to take down any predator, no matter its size.
The Transporter
One of Statham's most iconic roles is Frank Martin in The Transporter. The original 2002 film is packed with high-quality action scenes, making it hard to choose a single highlight. However, the oil fight stands out, where Frank uses oil to slip away from his enemies before using bicycle pedals and spinning heel kicks to turn the tide.
The Fate of the Furious
Deckard Shaw's transformation from villain to hero in the Fast and the Furious series was initially controversial, but Fast 9 clarified his actions, allowing fans to enjoy his past heroics guilt-free. A standout moment is his airborne rescue of Dom and Elena's baby in The Fate of the Furious, blending action with humor in a way only Statham can.
The Expendables
As Lee Christmas in the Expendables franchise, Statham holds his own among Hollywood's toughest. From kicking Scott Adkins into a helicopter to a dramatic flare gun scene, his most memorable moment is the swift and brutal basketball court beatdown of his girlfriend's abusive ex and his cronies. Christmas comes once a year, but when he does, he delivers justice in style.
Spy
In the hilarious Spy, Jason Statham steals the show as Rick Ford, an unkillable secret agent with a flair for comedy. His recounting of absurdly dangerous exploits, like driving a car off a freeway onto a train while on fire, showcases his comedic timing and adds a new dimension to his action-hero persona.
Transporter 2
The iconic barrel roll in Transporter 2 is a testament to Statham's cool under pressure. Frank Martin flips his Audi to dislodge a bomb, demonstrating the kind of stunt that defies physics and cements Statham's reputation for thrilling action sequences.
Crank: High Voltage
In Crank: High Voltage, after surviving a fall from a helicopter, Chev Chelios faces the surreal challenge of retrieving his stolen heart. The film's highlight is his hallucination of fighting as a giant kaiju version of himself, a scene that epitomizes the franchise's over-the-top style.
Snatch
Topping our list is Snatch, where Jason Statham, in only his second film role, holds his own against Hollywood legends. His character, Turkish, delivers some of the film's most memorable lines, with the exchange about carrying a gun being particularly quotable. Statham's performance in Snatch not only showcases his action chops but also his comedic talent, making it a fitting number one on our list.
