Summary
The 1980s were a fantastic time foraction comediesas major movie stars led fantastic films that would go on to achieve iconic status. With over-the-top cheesy 1980s aesthetics to an innate sense of fun that didn’t take itself too seriously, action comedies of this era were endlessly rewatchable as they usually focused on the comedic rapport and chemistry between actors rather than over-the-top set pieces of the action comedies that came later. While these stylistic choices may immediately date these movies to their time and place, this was also part of their innate charm.
Some of thebiggest movie stars of the 1980sstarred in action comedies, as performers like Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and even Robert De Niro had memorable entries in this genre. As a golden age for buddy cops, many action comedies related to the incredible talents of two lead performers who got the best out of each other in hilarious, action-packed sequences. While this genre became even more bombastic in later years,some of the greatest action comedies ever produced came from the 1980s.
Tango & Cash
Cast
Two rival Los Angeles cops are forced to team up when a drug lord implicates them in a crime they didn’t commit. They end up in jail and their only option is to escape to bring the real culprit to justice.
The release ofTango & Cashsignaled the last great action comedy of the 1980s as Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell teamed up for a buddy cop story that, although full of tropes and cliches, was a lot of fun. With Stallone as the straight-laced Lieutenant Tango and Russell as the cowboy cop Lieutenant Cash, the duo made for an excellent cinematic pair, even if the story was, at times, a tad predictable. AlthoughTango & Cashreceived negative reviews upon release, looking back, it’s got all the tenets of a great 1980s action comedy.
With a story involving the titular heroes being framed by their arch-nemesis, the mismatched LAPD pair must put their differences aside to take down the brutal crime baron inTango & Cash. With one cheesy one-liner after another, it’s often difficult to discern whetherTango & Cashwas a genuine attempt at a genre movie or a clever satirical subversion of its style. Either way, there’s a lot to love aboutTango & Cash, and sometimes viewers just want to sit back and watch Stallone and Russell do what they do best.
Something Wild
Something Wild is a 1986 comedy-drama directed by Jonathan Demme. The film stars Jeff Daniels as Charles Driggs, an uptight yuppie whose life takes an unexpected turn after he meets the free-spirited Lulu, played by Melanie Griffith. Their spontaneous adventure becomes more complicated when Lulu’s ex-convict husband, Ray, portrayed by Ray Liotta, enters the scene, leading to a blend of humor and tension.
Jeff Daniels and Melanie Griffith came together in 1986 for the thrilling action-comedySomething Wildfrom the futureThe Silence of the Lambsdirector Jonathan Demme. Starring Daniels as Charles Driggs, a dull office worker whose life is turned on its head when he meets the mysterious and wild Lulu, things soon take an outrageous turn. Along with Lulu, Charles experiences a joyride that turns into a kidnapping as the unlikely duo finds romance brewing.
As its title suggested, this outrageous and wacky adventure was truly something wild, and Daniel did an excellent job at portraying how this dull pencil-pushing life gets transformed by the free-spirited attitude of his captor and love interest.Daniels and Griffith have great chemistry, and Demme managed to get the best out of both performers.Something Wildwas a straight-up 1980s action comedy that’s a fun choice for viewers looking for a road movie with screwball elements.
Top Secret!
Top Secret! is a 1984 satirical comedy directed by Jim Abrahams and David Zucker. Starring Val Kilmer as Nick Rivers, an American rock star, who becomes embroiled in a resistance movement in East Germany. The film humorously blends elements from spy thrillers and musical comedies, delivering a quirky narrative set against a Cold War backdrop. The ensemble cast includes Lucy Gutteridge, Omar Sharif, and Peter Cushing.
After having already made the greatest disaster movie spoof of all time,Airplane!, in 1980, the directing trio Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker (known as ZAZ) turned their attention to action comedies withTop Secret!As a hilarious lampoon of everything from Elvis Presley films to spy movies,Top Secret!was a highly underrated Val Kilmer movie that holds up well today. As a self-aware satire,Top Secret!was packed to the rafters with endless gags and one-liners.
From outrageous sight gags to breaking the fourth wall,Top Secret!embraced the silliest side of the action comedy genre and stood as among the most off-the-wall funniest movies of the 1980s. Kilmer excelled as the American rock star Nick Rivers, and his performance was made even better by the talented ensemble cast of comedians surrounding him.Top Secret!rarely gets as much credit as the iconic legacy ofAirplane!but it should because it was just as funny and stood as an overlooked gem from the era.
748 Hrs. (1982)
Directed by Walter Hill
As the acting debut of Eddie Murphy, the buddy cop action comedy48 Hrs. was the acclaimed standup comedian’s first steps toward becoming one of the biggest stars of the 1980s. With Nick Nolte as Inspector Jack Cates and Murphy as Reggie Hammond, a wise-cracking criminal temporarily paroled to him in order to track down a killer, the duo’s fantastic chemistry helped make48 Hrs.a major success in 1982.48 Hrs.helped revitalize the buddy cop genreand influenced later films likeLethal Weapon,Rush Hour, andBad Boys.
48 Hrs.worked so well due to the chemistry of its two lead stars, and it’s no surprise that Murphy would soon gain top billing for some of the biggest comedies of the decade. While consistently funny throughout, this was also a rough and gritty film by director Walter Hill, who also returned to direct the sequelAnother 48 Hrs.in 1990. With a distinct 1980s style and feel,48 Hrs.hit all the right notes for an action comedy from this era.
Police Story
A virtuous Hong Kong Police Officer must clear his good name when the drug lord he is after frames him for the murder of a dirty cop.
Director, writer, and star Jackie Chan delivered one of the greatest action comedies of the 1980s with the release ofPolice Story. The first in a long-running franchise, in signature Chan style, the greatest Kung Fu star of all time did his own stunts as he played Detective Ka-Kui, an officer accused of murder and forced to clear his name. As a film structured more around impressive set pieces than its characters,Police Storywas a hilarious, high-octane Hong Kong comedy full of non-stop action.
Police Storywas a success in Asia and English-speaking markets and signaled Chan’s increasing reputation as a global movie star. Commonly spoken about as among the greatest action films evermade,Police Storyshowcased that Chan could walk the line between action hero and comedic leadas he proved he could truly do it all. As an iconic and influential film,Police Storywas a must-watch for lovers of 1980s action comedies.
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Midnight Run
Midnight Run is a 1988 action-comedy film directed by Martin Brest. It stars Robert De Niro as a bounty hunter tasked with capturing and transporting a former mob accountant, played by Charles Grodin, across the country. The film follows their unpredictable journey, filled with comedic and thrilling moments, as they evade both the mob and law enforcement while forming an unlikely bond.
Robert De Niro showcased his comedic talents opposite Charles Grodin in the action comedyMidnight Run, which was elevated by the antagonistic chemistry between the duo. As a classic odd couple comedy,Midnight Runinvolved a bounty hunter determined to collect the reward for bringing in a former Mafia accountant. With a strong script and a perfectly paced story,Midnight Runwas a 1980s classic that still holds up well today.
In what’s essentially a reluctant road movie,Midnight Run’ssuccess rested solely on the talents of De Niro and Grodin, who pulled off this feat spectacularly. This was an engaging adventure with two likable leads that worked well in its unpretentious presentation of a well-worn story structure.Midnight Runjust hit all the right notes and was a particularly enjoyable piece of 1980s action comedy filmmaking.
The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers follows Jake and Elwood Blues as they set out on a mission from God to reunite their band and save the Catholic orphanage where they were raised. Released in 1980, the film stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, featuring a blend of musical performances and comedic antics.
WhileThe Blues Brothersmay have its origins inSaturday Night Live, the 1980 action comedy film was the true peak of this musical duo. With John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood, two brothers on a “mission from God” to raise $5,000 to save an endangered orphanage, along the way, audiences were treated not just to over-the-top action but also incredible music. With fast-paced energy and appearances from singers like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles,The Blues Brotherwas a true treat for action fans with a love for blues and soul music.
While there were plenty ofwild behind-the-scenes facts aboutThe Blues Brothers, despite its outrageous production, it managed to come out as a major success that has since become a true cult classic. Full of car chases, over-the-top sequences, and a compelling supporting performance from Carrie Fisher,The Blues Brotherswas packed with charm thanks to the excellent directing of John Landis. As John Belushi’s best movie,The Blues Brotherswas a must-see action comedy.
Big Trouble in Little China
Big Trouble in Little China is a 1986 action comedy directed by John Carpenter. Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a truck driver who attempts to rescue his friend Wang Chi’s fiancée from the clutches of an evil sorcerer named David Lo Pan.
Big Trouble in Little Chinawas among the enjoyablecollaborations between Kurt Russell and John Carpenter, as it blended action comedies with fantasy and martial arts films. While the film failed commercial upon release,Big Trouble in Little Chinahas steadily built up a cult followingover the years and now has become a bona fide cult classic. With a rushed production as it competed to be released before the similar Eddie Murphy filmThe Golden Child, the financial failure ofBig Trouble in Little Chinacontributed to Carpenter’s return to independent filmmaking and disillusionment from big-budget Hollywood productions.
However,Big Trouble in Little Chinawas packed with energy and humor and was incredibly underrated during its time. Russell gave an exceptional performance as the wise-cracking truck driver Jack Burton, and the ancient battle between good and evil at the heart of its story made for compelling viewing. A true classic of the 1980s,Big Trouble in Little Chinahas retrospectively been lauded as one of Carpenter’s best movies.
Lethal Weapon
The film that started the iconic action franchise of the same name, Lethal Weapon stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as Detective Riggs and Murtaugh, two LAPD detectives on the trail of a high-profile drug ring. After the death of his wife, Riggs (Gibson) is increasingly volatile, but partnering with the level-headed veteran detective Murtaugh puts the two cops on the path to uncovering a huge criminal conspiracy.
As among the best action movies of the 1980s, part of the charm ofLethal Weaponwas its comedic elements, which helped add levity to the story of Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. With innate chemistry between its two stars,Lethal Weaponwas a perfect buddy cop movie that spawned an entire franchisewith a potential fifthLethal Weaponon the way. As a film that helped solidify Gibson’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men, this action comedy was a runaway success that grossed $150 million against its $20 million budget (viaBox Office Mojo.)
Lethal Weaponhad an undeniable impact on action movies throughout the rest of the 1980s and 1990s as many subsequent films tried to emulate its success. With plenty of fast-paced action and impressive stunts,Lethal Weaponwas also categorized by levity, as the humor of its two leads was powerfully felt throughout.Lethal Weaponhas received iconic status for a reason, and that’s because it was just an endlessly enjoyable film.
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Beverly Hills Cop
Eddie Murphy stars in Beverly Hills Cop as Axel Foley, a street-smart Detroit police officer who travels to California to solve his friend’s murder. Directed by Martin Brest, the film was a critical and commercial success, spawning three sequels.
The greatest action comedy movie of the 1980s was also Eddie Murphy’s best film,Beverly Hills Cop, which propelled its lead star to a new level of success. As the perfect blending of action and comedy with one of thebest synth movie scores of the 1980s, the performances, script, and music ofBeverly Hills Copmade it a true classic and the inception point for a major franchise. With equal parts thrills and laughs, followed Murphy as Alex Foley, a cop trying to solve the murder of his best friend.
Although Sylvester Stallone was originally considered for the leading role, the inclusion ofMurphy added a racial element toBeverly Hills Copthat elevated the movie’s themes. With room to improvise, Murphy embodied his role with his unmatched talents as a stand-up comedian and proved himself a true action-comedy movie star. While the sequels could sadly never live up to the lofty expectations set by the original, there’s no denying the firstBeverly Hills Copwas among the best movies of the 1980s.
