The collected works of ScottyB

It occurred to me this evening, as I was watching The Contractor, that Snipes has to be one of my favourite action heroes.

The Contractor wasn’t exactly a work of art, but it was a good film, easy watching and plenty of action. Slightly reminiscent of ‘The Professional’ with a new-age feel to it. Much better than I was expecting, especially after its poor reviews and relatively low score on IMDB. Proving once again that the critics are usually wrong (either that, or my taste in films leaves a lot to be desired. Or I’m just easily pleased).

While Passenger 57 is probably his first big hit that I remember, it was not the first film I ever saw him in.

Nope, that accolade goes to the 1993 blockbuster, Demolition Man, where he featured alongside Sly Stallone and the ever-yummy Sandra Bullock.

Simon Phoenix. I’ll always remember that name. This character that Snipes played was one of my favourite ‘baddies’ for many years. In fact, thinking about it, its truly hard to name a good bunch of villains that were as funny and likable while being so utterly sadistic and horrific as Snipes managed in Demo Man.

“I’m sorry to say that the world has become a pussy-whipped, Brady Bunch version of itself, run by a bunch of robed sissies”.

Simon Phoenix: “So let me get this right, they defrosted you just so you could lasso my piddly ass? Damn, you been had! I been dreamin’ about killin’ you for forty years”.
John Spartan: “Well, keep dreaming!”

Since then, he’s starred in plenty of hardcore, fast-paced, blazing action films. Many of which I own and numerous titles I’ve watched at least three times. The eternally popular Drop Zone, the underrated Money Train, The Fan (which I thought was brilliant, but just didn’t receive well with the crits), Murder at 1600, U.S. Marshals, Blade, Blade II, Blade: Trinity, The Art of War, 7 Seconds, The Detonator… to name just some of them. And I bet looking at that list, nearly everyone can say they’ve seen as least one. Probably liked it too.

It’s always good watching. The bloke is super-fit and you can tell he always puts 110% into his roles. And it shows in the hard edged titles he has amassed to date.

Awesome.

Think I’ll watch the Blade series again while I’m off.

And Demolition Man too.

John Spartan: “Is it cold in here, or is it just me?”
Simon Phoenix: “Good memory”.

Ahh the golden age of action films.

Link: The Contractor @ IMDB