“Geri-action” is all the rage these days – if these aged stars can still kick butt, so can you get off your bum to go watch them!
These actors may be crowned with white hair (or none), but their time on screen is still golden. “Geri-action” – a portmanteau of “geriatric” and “action” – is a popular genre of movies that sees grandpa stars kicking butt, and has us questioning our own fitness.
You may be skeptical now, but look through this list and you’ll be wishing Hollywood would let more old people rule the screens.
1. Liam Neeson
Seen in: Taken series, The A-Team, Schindler’s List
Liam Neeson is arguably the defining geri-action star of our time. His hit role in Taken (2008) as a father tracking down his kidnapped daughter ignited so much excitement that the series is now in its third instalment.
The popularity of his Taken films is immense, so we find it hard to accept that Taken 3’s movie poster says “It ends here”. Perhaps the next one can be titled Taken 4 Granted. Don’t trample on the 62-year-old’s lawn, though. He will find you, and he will kill you.
2. Bruce Willis
Seen in: Die Hard series, RED films, The Expendables series, Sin City
We’re diehard fans of this bald hero. Star of the popular Die Hard series and RED films, 59-year-old Bruce Willis often plays a wisecracking protagonist who seems to dispatch baddies without hearing a single bone creak.
Interesting fact: Willis was a private investigator before he turned to acting, and his breakthrough role was that of a PI in the ’80s noir-romance series Moonlighting. After all these years, he’s still got it.
3. Sylvester Stallone
Seen in: Rocky series, Rambo series, The Expendables series
Who can forget Sylvester Stallone’s signature Rambo pose: hips thrust, chest bare, gun blazing? This famous actor may have aged considerably since then – he’s now 69 – but his presence in any action movie still packs a powerful punch.
Sly is such a classic action icon that he was called back to star in last year’s The Expendables 3. Even if he posed as Rambo with a walking stick, it would still be a sold-out blockbuster. And that might just happen in the upcoming Rambo 5: Last Blood!
4. Meryl Streep
Seen in: The Devil Wears Prada, The Iron Lady, Into the Woods
Glamour queen Meryl Streep may not be known for action films, but she is definitely a screen legend who keeps trooping on in today’s Hollywood scene. Her exceptional performance as an icy magazine editor in The Devil Wears Prada won huge acclaim.
Most recently, she stars in Disney musical Into the Woods as a wicked witch who transforms into a motherly and fabulous character. I hope I look this magnificent when I’m 65.
5. Harrison Ford
Seen in: The Indiana Jones series, Star Wars series
The rightful icon of the Indiana Jones adventure series, Harrison Ford did exhibit some huffing and puffing in the latest instalment, the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).
But who can blame him? The 72-year-old has been swinging lassos and battling snakes since 1981, in Raiders of the Lost Ark! Even though Ford has slowed down since then, he is still in great shape for his age.
Look out for him reprising his role of Han Solo – albeit an older version of the smuggler with the swagger – in the long-awaited Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens at the end of this year!
6. Jackie Chan
Seen in: The Karate Kid, Rush Hour series, countless other action movies
Does this actor really need any introduction? The ultimate star of action films not only in Asia but in the world, Jackie Chan is a beloved household name to young and old viewers alike.
No need for stunt doubles here – Jackie choreographs and performs his own fight scenes. He doesn’t look 60 at all, and he certainly doesn’t move like he’s 60. Maybe it’s a habit cultivated in his high-speed home city of Hong Kong; this old boy still has a pep in his step.
Jackie has just wrapped up filming for Dragon Blade, and will be jetting around the world to promote it. And you thought he’s just been sitting around collecting retirement money!
Don’t you wish you were as hip as these guys when you’re a granny?
By Pamela Chow
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