Over the past decade, the rallying cries for theAcademy Awards to add a new category honoring stunt performershave risen dramatically. Stunt performers occupy an important role in ensuring that film action sequences look as dramatic as possible, giving them incredible insights about what makes a compelling narrative.David Leitchbegan his career as a stunt performer before stepping into the director’s chair; after doubling for A-list actors likeBrad PittandJean-Claude Van Damme, Leitch was given the opportunity to flex his creative muscles and tell stories of his own.
Given his experience,it’s not surprising that Leitch’s films contain terrific stunt sequences,as he oftendelivers the type of death-defying maneuvers that simply aren’t performed anymore.However, self-awareness is also among Leitch’s attributes, as each of his films contains a healthy amount of cheeky humor. It’s impressive that despite their great action, Leitch’s films manage to develop memorable characters who aren’t only defined by their physical capabilities. Here is every David Leitch movie, ranked by rewatchability.
6‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw’ (2019)
Starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham
The progression ofThe Fast and the Furiousfranchisehas been quite interesting; although the series began as a series of gritty street racing thrillers, it ballooned into an epic blockbuster franchise that grew increasingly unbelievable with each subsequent installment. While the core series grew less endearing thanks toVin Disel’s monotone performance,Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shawsucceeds by acknowledging that it’s a B-movie and heightening the absurdity.Leitch gaveDwayne JohnsonandJason Stathamthe opportunity to trade ridiculous one-liners as the titular characters go on an international espionage mission that involves car chase, gun fights, and technology lifted right out of a science fiction movie.
Although the character interactions are mostly fun,Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shawis far too long, spending too much time on subplots that aren’t as interesting as the chemistry between Johnson and Statham.Idris Elba’s superpowered bad guy feels a little too over-the-top, andVanessa Kirby’s turn as Shaw’s sister is given far less screen time than she deserves. HardcoreThe Fast and the Furiousfans may view it as essential, but for casual cinephilesFast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shawhas less rewatch value.
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Rent on Amazon
5‘Deadpool 2’ (2018)
Starring Ryan Reynolds and Josh Brolin
The firstDeadpoolfilm was a defining success for the superhero genre, proving that audiences appreciated snarky humor that poked fun at comic book cliches.Deadpool 2is much bigger and weirder than its predecessor,as Leitch adds additional mutant characters to the mix. While theoriginal idea of locking Deadpool in combat with reality show hostsmay not have made it to the screen, the sequel still features the fun additions of Cable (Josh Brolin), Domino (Zazie Beetz), and Firefist (Julian Dennison). The action is more excessive, with the visceral destruction of Deadpool’s new “X-Force” team standing out among the film’s funniest moments.
It’s packed with even more in-jokes and references than its predecessor (including a very amusing jab at the “save Martha” moment inBatman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice), butDeadpool 2lacks the heartfelt quality of its predecessor. The relationship between Wade Wilson and Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) is largely secondary, and the attempts at adding a “found family” theme feel a little bit too sincere for such a snarky film. There are standout jokes that rise to a different level, butDeadpool 2is best enjoyed as a supplement to its predecessor, and not as a standalone achievement.
Deadpool 2
Watch on Disney+
4‘Bullet Train’ (2022)
Leitch clearly has a knack for casting, andBullet Trainfeatures a packed ensemble of great actors playing against type. The propulsive espionage thriller features an uncharacteristically wacky performance fromBrad Pittas the unlucky assassin Ladybug, whose mission to find the son (Logan Lerman) of a powerful Russian gangster (Michael Shannon) is thrown off course upon the arrival of many dangerous criminals. As fun as it is to see Pitt in a subversive role,Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s scenery chewing scene as the hitman Tangerinemay be the film’s most memorable character.
Bullet Trainshows the creativity Leitch has in directing action, as the film combines hand-to-hand combat with guns, swords, and many other items turned into weapons. The twists and turns make the story quite dense, but Leitch never risks turning the film into a self-serious slog; any moments of gravity are generally undercut by jokes. It’s also a remarkable blockbuster in how standalone it is. Instead of a pointless teaser for a potential sequel, Leitch chooses to simply wrap up the story threads for a satisfying conclusion. The isolated nature has madeBullet Traina film that’s only interested in its own entertainment value, and contributed greatly to its rewatchability.
Bullet Train
Watch on Netflix
3‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017)
Starring Charlize Theron and James McAvoy
Although her role as Furiosa inMad Max Fury Roadindicated an interest in doing genre roles,Charlzie Theron proved herself as an action icon inAtomic Blonde. The Cold War-set neo-noir features Theron in the instantly iconic role as Lorraine Broughton, an MI6 agent sent to uncover an international conspiracy within the Soviet Union. Leitch’s fight scenes have rarely been as brutal; an intense brawl on a stairwell where Lorraine squares off with multiple opponents features more than a few bone-crushing blows. The film exercises the freedom of its R-Rating with some truly disturbing death sequences, as well as a sexually adventurous subplot.
He may be best known for action, butLeitch proved himselfcapable of making a neo-noir thrillerwithAtomic Blonde. The film uses Lorraine’s mission as a window into a larger international conspiracy that intertwines British, American, and Russian secret agents all vying for a list detailing active operatives. Leitch thankfully ensures that the story never gets too confusing by using non-linear narrative techniques to flesh out every character’s backstory. Thanks to terrific needle drops that includeQueen’s “Under Pressure” andNew Order’s “Blue Monday,”Atomic Blondeis one of his most slick and stylized works to date. The inventive amalgamation of influences make it fun to watchAtomic Blondemultiple times by looking at it from different perspectives.
Atomic Blonde
2‘The Fall Guy’ (2023)
Starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt
There have beenmore than a few films based on television shows, butThe Fall Guydoesn’t require any preexisting knowledge of the original series starringLee Majors. In what feels like Leitch’s most personal film to date,The Fall Guyis a sincere love letter to stunt artists and the other hardworking professionals who work on film sets. The film’s hero is the charismatic stunt double Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), who is tasked with finding the high profile action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) after he mysteriously disappears. The conspiracy gets more complicated as the film continues, but the emphasis is on the hilarious romantic relationship between Colt and the blockbuster director Jodie Moreno (Emily Blunt).
The Fall Guysucceeds thanks to Gosling’s charismatic performance, as he performs astounding feats of physical comedy as Colt is jettisoned between set pieces. The film is more than a treat for action movie buffs, with references to such classics asDie Hard, Dune, The Bourne Identity, andLethal Weaponamong others. Nonetheless, it’s nice to see a Hollywood satire that seems to have a sincere appreciation for craftsmen. Moments where Colt and Jodie discuss the importance of cinema allow Leitch to emphasize why it’s important to support films in the theater. It’s the type of old-fashioned spectacle that is worth seeing multiple times.
The Fall Guy
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1‘John Wick’ (2014)
Starring Keanu Reeves and Willem Dafoe
It can’t be overstated how muchJohn Wickchanged the action movie landscape. By combining neo-noir stylistic elements with both American action movie gunplay and Asian hand-to-hand combat,John Wickfelt like a love letter to the genre’s vast and impressive history. Leitch worked as an uncredited co-director on the first installment in the series alongsideChad Stahelski; although he did notreturn for the film’s sequels, his impact can be felt within the film’s brutal nighttime fight scenes. The authenticity of the stunt coordination makes all the difference in a film as brutal asJohn Wick.
There have been many films since that have tried to replicate the unique style, butJohn Wicksucceeded because of the development of a niche mythology.The world of “The Continental” and its covert assassins allowed Leitch and Stahelski to build a vast world that was large enough to inspire multiple spinoffs. Nevertheless, it’s a film that succeeded first and foremost as a grimy revenge thriller; the earnest performance byKeanu Reevesensured that viewers had an instantly iconic action hero that they were willing to invest in throughout multiple installments. Leitch’s first work may have been his best, as a decade laterJohn Wickhas held up upon multiple viewings.
