10 action flicks to look forward to in 2015

They say action movies make the world go round. In terms of sheer volume and money generated, action flicks are far more successful than any other genre.

What could the reasons be? Sequences defying every physics lesson you’ve ever learned? The adrenaline rush of seeing unstoppable forces meeting immovable objects? The realisation that you can never go where the heroes and villains tread? Pure escapism?

Whatever the reasons are, action movies are becoming bigger, better, meaner, grittier, tauter and more three dimensionally realistic. Without further ado, here is a list of 11 action movies (in order of release dates) to look forward to this year…

1. Furious 7

Premiere: April 3

Director: James Wan

Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson

The Fast and the Furious franchisee will most probably conclude with this one, what after the real-life death of its iconic star Paul Walker? The trailer for the movie looks pretty cool and one cannot wait for it to hit the theatres fast.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road

Premiere: May 15

Director: George Miller

Stars: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult

Mel Gibson made the Mad Max movies famous. Now, George Miller reboots his own dormant franchise, which is set in post-apocalyptic Australia. Though this came as a surprise to many, the trailer took everyone’s breath away. Choke-filled with car chases and crazy action sequences, this promises to be a lawless, gory, slugfest.

3. Tommorowland

Premiere: May 22

Director: Brad Bird

Stars: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie

This is one of the few original movies this year that isn’t a sequel/reboot of existing franchisees. Frank and Casey travel to a place somewhere in time and space where their actions affect everything about the world. Brad Bird, who directed ‘The Incredibles’ is at the helm. He should deliver a fun movie.

4. San Andreas

Premiere: May 29

Director: Brad Peyton

Stars: Alexandra Daddario, Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino

A deadly earthquake hits California. A Los Angeles Fire Department rescue helicopter pilot and his ex-wife head to San Fransisco in search of their estranged daughter. With The Rock being a part of the proceedings, the film shouldn’t be too shabby. I’m looking forward to it.

5. Jurassic World

Premiere: June 12

Director: Colin Trevorrow

Stars: Chris Pratt, Judy Greer, Ty Simpkins

Steven Spielberg, who made the world fall in love with Dinosaurs all over again, will act as an Executive Producer for this one. The trailer is really cool and will make us quake in terror. I simply cannot wait to see it on a glorious Imax 3D screen.

6. Terminator: Genisys

Premiere: July 1

Director: Alan Taylor

Stars: Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Arnold Schwarzenegger

I frankly don’t care about the Terminator movies beyond the first two editions, with the second being my all time favourite. I’m adding this here because among other things, I’m also a damn sentimental fool. Arnie is back and he knows he’s reincarnated in a world much different from the ones her came back to before. The trailer looks god.

7. Mission Impossible 5: Rogue Nation

Premiere: July 31

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Stars: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg

The action has gotten nastier, and the bad guys have grown humongous in numbers. Tom Cruise once again does what he does best — perform death-defying, physics-baffling stunts by himself. Going by the trailer, I think Ethan Hunt is firmly back in the game. I’m definitely looking forward to it.

8. Fant4stic

Premiere: August 7

Director: Josh Trank

Stars: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan

It’s time for another reboot. The Fantastic Four, despite being a solid name on comics, were never appreciated as a movie franchisee. The audience generally always gave it a thumbs down. This may just be about to change the tide for them. The trailer looks good. Now one needs to get the movie right too.

9. Spectre

Premiere: November 6

Director: Sam Mendes

Stars: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes

This is Bond’s 24th outing in his quest to save the world. British blonde Daniel Craig makes his bow as the iconic spy for the fourth time. Spectre is a criminal organisation that Bond battled way back in the ‘60s. Only the poster is out for now, but it promises to be very spooky. Bond better not disappoint.

10. Star Wars : The Force Awakens

Premiere: December 18

Director: J.J. Abrams

Stars: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher

What does it take to revive a franchisee like Star Wars, which George Lucas made immortal? Hire a director of JJ Abrams caliber to give it a new direction, that’s what. When the first trailer for the movie released, the fans went into a frenzy and every one of its frames were carefully dissected. Here’s to hoping it’ll help us sign the year off on a high.