Daniel Day-Lewis is widely recognized as one of the finest actors in film history, boasting three Academy Awards to his name, three more than fellow British actor Jason Statham. However, while Day-Lewis has never used casino chips to choke someone, knocked out an adversary with a coin, killed a man with a spoon, or punched someone in the fist with his own head, Jason Statham accomplished all these feats in the same film. There's simply no comparison.
Statham has solidified his status as one of the most reliable action stars of the 21st century. With his latest film, A Working Man, now in theaters, it's the perfect time to celebrate some of the most memorable and entertaining moments from Jason Statham's career. After all, until the Oscars start recognizing feats like walking through fire, water-skiing blindfolded, or mastering the piano later in life, it's the least we can do.
The Best Jason Statham Movie Moments
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Homefront
Ever wondered if Jason Statham's action heroes could take down multiple opponents with their hands tied behind their back? In Homefront, Statham proves it's no problem, effortlessly annihilating three men in this situation. It's a thrilling way to start our list.
The Beekeeper
The Beekeeper left audiences buzzing with one particular scene. While Statham spared some call centre employees after their apologies, he didn't let the manager off the hook. Statham strapped him to a truck and sent it off a bridge, dragging the villain behind. It's a reminder that bumblebees may not fly efficiently, but they certainly fly better than a 1967 Ford F-100.
AnswerSee ResultsWild Card
Let's revisit Wild Card, the film mentioned at the beginning. Despite its underwhelming box office performance, it features some of Statham's best fight scenes. Directed by the man behind Con Air and featuring Stanley Tucci with hair, Statham uses a spoon and a butter knife to dispatch five armed goons in the final showdown, emerging unscathed. Truly, Jason Statham reigns supreme in the art of "knifey spoony."
Death Race
Paul W.S. Anderson's track record with video game adaptations may not be stellar, but Death Race stands out for its commitment to practical effects and thrilling action. Statham's strategic alliance with his rival to outmaneuver the Juggernaut is the film's highlight, showcasing a level of action akin to Mad Max: Fury Road, years before its release.
The Meg
No list of Jason Statham's most memorable moments would be complete without his epic battle with a megalodon in The Meg. Statham not only slices the giant shark open but also rides it as it leaps into the air, fatally stabbing it in the eye. As the beast falls back into the water, it's devoured by smaller sharks, proving that no matter the size of the predator, if it bleeds, you can kill it.
The Transporter
Taking the seventh spot is Jason Statham's iconic role as Frank Martin in The Transporter. The original 2002 film is packed with high-quality action scenes, making it hard to pick just one standout moment. However, the oil fight, where Frank uses grease to evade his enemies before using bicycle pedals and spinning heel kicks to defeat them, is unforgettable.
The Fate of the Furious
Deckard Shaw's transformation from villain to hero in the Fast and Furious series was initially controversial, but his redemption was solidified in The Fate of the Furious. One of Statham's most memorable scenes is the airborne rescue of Dom and Elena's baby, blending gun-fu with humor in a way that showcases his versatility.
The Expendables
As part of Sylvester Stallone's Expendables franchise, Jason Statham's Lee Christmas has had numerous opportunities to shine. From kicking Scott Adkins into a helicopter to firing a flare from a flying boat, his most iconic moment is the swift basketball court beatdown of his girlfriend's abusive ex and his cronies. Christmas may only come once a year, but when he does, he brings a knife list instead of a nice list.
Spy
In the hilarious 2015 film Spy, Jason Statham delivers a scene-stealing performance as Rick Ford, the unkillable secret agent. His comedic timing shines, especially when he boasts about driving a car off a freeway onto a train while on fire—not the car, but himself.
Transporter 2
Who could forget the iconic barrel roll in Transporter 2? Frank Martin calmly flips his Audi to dislodge a bomb, showcasing his cool demeanor and mastery of physics in a way that's both thrilling and amusing.
Crank: High Voltage
After surviving a fall from a helicopter, Chev Chelios faces the challenge of retrieving his stolen heart in Crank: High Voltage. One of the film's most surreal scenes is Chev's hallucination of fighting as a giant kaiju version of himself at a power station, complete with a mask of his own head.
Snatch
Topping the list is Snatch, where Jason Statham, in only his second film role, holds his own against Hollywood heavyweights like Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro. With a slew of the film's most quotable lines, Statham's character Turkish delivers a memorable response to Tommy's gun possession: "What is a gun doing in your trousers?" "For protection." "Protection from what? Zee Germans?" A safer bet than anything suggested by Brick Top.
