The Best Scenes from Paul WS Anderson Movies
A severely underrated director (especially from an entertainment perspective), Paul WS Anderson has built a career adapting successfully videogames for the big screen. Despite their contrivances, sometimes non existent plots and paper thin characters, the man demonstrates an ability to craft memorable and visually exciting sequences throughout his (mostly) B-movie infused filmography. Some have become downright iconic (i.e., laser corridor) after critical re-evaluation due to the level of practicality and ingenuity involved in their production. His imagination is vast expanding beyond zombie dogs, booby traps, gun equipped cars, monsters, slow motion, 3D, authentic locations, unique opening credits, genre binding soundtracks and complex fights. You can definitely say that Anderson’s output will always remain an engaging and appealing point of discussion. Thus, we present the best scenes in Paul WS Anderson movies.
Minor reference: Training Children to be Machines - Soldier (1998)
Despite a large production budget, “Soldier” did not make any impact due to additional studio interference (after the frequent clashing with Paramount on “Event Horizon” (1997)) having nothing memorable going for it except Kurt Russell’s fantastic body (at the age of 46). Perhaps the most memorable sequence is the training of little boys to become obedient and ruthless soldiers by achieving peak condition and an unquestionable loyalty to the authorities. It is quite brutal and the most interesting aspect of a film that for whatever reason Paramount thought to reduce its scope and status.
26. The birth of human civilization - Alien Vs Predator (2004)
Despite its lack of bite, “AVP” does come with a great idea to pit the most famous cinematic aliens (Xenomorph, Predator) against each other. The notion of the Predators assisting humans advance their civilization while participating in ritualistic sacrifices that give birth to Xenomorphs for the dreadlocked creatures to hunt is an interesting one. And for that reason, it is a shame for Anderson to criminally underuse this perspective only as a brief and expository flashback.
25. Ruby Rose’s demise - Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
The sixth entry in the billion dollar franchise was the final one wrapping up nicely the (messy) story of Alice that spanned multiple locations, a wide undead variety and lots and lots of actors meeting their makers. In perhaps one of the most under-appreciated moments in film history, Ruby Rose (aka Abigail) - remember her who was virtually everywhere in 2017? - gets sucked by a gigantic fan. With zero characterization and the emotional depth of a wooden plank, watching her becoming mince meat in a blink-and-you-will-miss-it shot offers copious amount of laughter that will make up for the tedious acting. I suppose Paul was quite the … fan of her talent giving her a fan-tastic ending.
24. PompeiI gets POmpeii-Ed - Pompei (2014)
The first true misfire in Anderson’s filmography, this “Gladiator” (2000) inspired sword and sandal epic had plenty of buck to back it up. However, it failed to elicit any psychological response due to miscast actors and a banal love story. Kiefer Sutherland’s hammy acting as a Roman senator (…) is not enough to spark any fire in the proceedings. Nevertheless, when Vesuvius erupts, it is a spectacular display of special effects: fire balls, tsunamis, and ash clouds obliterate the once great city in a matter of seconds.
23. First skirmish - The Three Musketeers (2011)
Before “Pompeii”, there was an ill-advised adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ novel but with an steam punk twist and an emphasis on 3D action. The lackluster reception and a poor box office performance however, were not justified (Quentin Tarantino rated this one of his top ten films in 2011!) as Anderson’s take offers maximum eye candy. The movie is visually stunning blending together real palaces, fantastic costume design and a genuinely enthusiastic quartet of actors with gusto. The brief but thrilling swordfights are a joy to experience but it is the first skirmish with the Richelieu’s guards that catches the viewer’s eye due to its aggressive stuntwork highlighting Anderson’s skill to conceive superb action sequences.
22. Predator kills effortlessly a Xenomorph - Alien Vs Predator (2004)
A small but crucial moment that underlines just how f***ing cool the Predator is. Raising from the shadows and behind our war mongered dreadlocked alien, a xenomorph attempts to conduct a stealth attack only for “Scar” to use a bladed disk to cut off its face without looking. The black, lifeless corpse falls on the ground in two pieces. It’s glorious and appropriately gory.
21. Alien Queen wrecks havok - Alien Vs Predator (2004)
It has been 7 years since we saw the alien queen (“Alien Resurrection” (1997)) and 18 years since we saw her do any … action stuff (“Aliens“ (1986)). Anderson thought it would be nice to involve her majesty in a fully fledged action sequence supported by modern technology. Breaking free from her chains (literally), the queen gives pursuit to our alien-human duo all the way up to the surface of Antarctica. He offers a thrilling moment seeing this unstoppable, vicious and lethal behemoth wrecking havoc in a abandoned whale hunt facility to finish off her opponents.
20. Dreadnought crash - Death Race (2008)
On round 2 of the infamous death race, chief villain Claire Hennessey deploys her Dreadnought to elevate the stakes and cause of course, more mayhem and increase the viewership numbers. What makes this scene a standout though in Anderson’s filmography is the sheer practicality of it. Real cars are getting smashed against each other and when the Dreadnought itself gets “nuked” out of its orbit, it is an absolutely spectacular stunt captured in glorious slow motion. A shame this highly entertaining flick does not get the B-movie recognition it deserves in a role Jason Statham was born to play. “Now that’s entertainment” indeed!
19. Car chase - Resident evil Retribution (2012)
“Resident Evil: Retribution” might not be everyone’s favorite installment in the “Resident Evil” franchise but it is packed with tones of inventive action even if it does not make any sense. Seeking a reason to include a car chase, Anderson showcases that he can do Michael Bay albeit in a smaller scale pretty well too. Shot within the confinements of the B-movie terrain, it is a fun sequence that involves rocket launchers, a gigantic licker, bikes and vehicles destroying the Red Square with practical effects and explosions.
18. Complex pull out space station shot - Event Horizon (1997)
Continuing to impress with his second Hollywood flick, “Event Horizon” features some phenomenally complex shots that present a scale that a few sci-fi films bore the ambition to have. The rotating pull out shot from Dr Weir’s quarters all the way to outer space is an excellent display of the disorientation of space and Anderson’s eye for lavish and reality based visuals that separate his film from a typical “Alien” (1979) clone. Kubrick would have been proud.
17. Bathroom fight - Resident Evil Afterlife (2010)
Oh yes, the sequence which united the so-called fanboys against Anderson’s direction of favoring style over substance. Anderson won’t find any detractors here as it is gorgeously set, shot and executed with impeccable 3D. Taking away its gimmick though, it is still a fascinating, hyper-stylized visually sequence that uses its environment to a great effect. It is also incredible sexy with Mila and Ali Larter kicking the Executioner’s ass that culminates in a cute Super Mario note.
16. Zombie dogs - Resident Evil (2002)
By far the most recognizable element of the videogame, the zombie dogs were famous for THAT sudden jump scare! Providing a different dynamic than the slow moving zombie scientists, the dogs are faster and deadlier. Include the restrictive environment of an underground secret lab and voila! Horror claustrophobia! Poor Alice gets stuck with one of them inside a room, followed by a zombie attack only to get jumped by another dog. And then an entire dozen. It is a never-let-it-go sequence pumping adrenaline in the right dosages under the heavy industrial soundtrack of Marilyn Manson and Marco Beltrami.
15. Liu Kang Vs Subzero - Mortal Kombat (1995)
Although it is a rather brief skirmish, Liu Kang’s fight against Subzero is a visually stimulating one invoking the videogame’s roots. Starting in a blue colored drenched arena under the witty production design of Jonathan Carlson, Liu Kang struggles with the acrobatics of Subzero back and forth (that reverse back flip kick is spot on) homaging the 2D dynamic of the notorious videogame. The choreography, sound design and music is top notch but the iconic scene of Subzero summoning his powers remains after all these years a marvel of flawless special effects (which was submitted for Best Visual Effects in the 1996 Oscars).
14. Nightmare scare - Event Horizon (1997)
Dr Weir (Sam Neil) wakes up prematurely from his hydro-sleep while Captain Miller and the rest of the crew are still under stasis. Wondering around a lifeless Lewis and Clark, he s***s some bricks when a wall cover malfunctions. Anderson’s direction devours the meticulously crafted environment. When our hero arrives at the cockpit and witnesses the naked body of his dead wife, a hand grabs him from behind and she matters the words “I am waiting!”. So are we … for the toilet line afterwards.
13. Pull out finale shot - Resident Evil (2002)
A master of cliffhangers, Anderson gives his first “Resident Evil” entry a pretty cool finale which leaves the door open for better things to come. Just like its videogame counterpart that expanded the zombie lore with Raccoon City and the political manipulations of the Umbrella Corporation, Mila is standing alone in the midst of a wrecked metropolis: crashed cars, blood, smoke, fire and agonizing screams can be seen and heard. Featuring his traditional pull out zoom shot, it is a neat trick demonstrating the (nightmarish) things to come in “Resident Evil: Apocalypse” (2004).
12. Corridor fight - Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
“Retribution” has plenty of style to spare, perhaps the most style out of the six films boasting simultaneously competent technical craftmanship. It is particularly inventive during a corridor zombie fight which sees Mila going John Wick before Wick was a thing with headshot after headshot to somehow stop the undead. Employing complex choreography that Mila herself pulls off convincingly under a bizarre BDSM outfit (!), there is something visually arresting witnessing zombie splatter against a sterilized, white lit environment under Tomadandy’s drum and bass soundtrack.
11. Shaft scare - Event Horizon (1997)
A scare for the ages, it clearly exhibits that early career Anderson knew how to execute a memorable sequence without relying on fancy special effects, dodgy editing and all the way to 11 sound design. As Sam Neil’s Dr Weir enters the narrow shafts of Event Horizon to fix a malfunctioning circuit, the memorable production design of Joseph Bennet becomes a very compelling and of course, claustrophobic setting: the green motherboards are a particularly inspiring touch. It becomes even worse when a malevolent entity reveals “itself” under a dolly zoom, requiring us to change our underwear afterwards.
10. Reverse Opening credits - Resident Evil Retribution (2012)
Perhaps one of the best directors when it comes to superb opening credits, his hyperstylized “Resident Evil: Retribution” has an undeniable visual appeal from its first shot. Tomandandy’s “Flying through the Air” dresses Umbrella’s attack on Arcadia (the ship from “Afterlife”) but with a twist: It all happens backwards. Starting with a submerged Mila Jovovich, the film plays in reverse the events that preceded the destruction of the ship and her short encounter with a brainwashed Jill Valentine and her army of goons. It is novel and truly innovative chain of events that gives this fifthquel a more videogame vibe that its predecessors that is all about style and no substance.
9. Nerscylla attack - Monster Hunter (2020)
An underrated adaptation of the popular Japanese videogame, “Monster Hunter” might have too much ADHD editing initially but it does work during a rather terrific sequence involving spider like creatures (Nerscylla). After being teleported (?) into a bizarre new world and fighting off a pretty aggressive Diablo in the dazzling deserts of Namibia, Mila Jovovich’s Captain Artemis finds herself deep into Nerscylla territory. It is a very suspenseful sequence that besides pushing the PG-13 rating, makes you wonder whether you would have what it takes to survive a situation that sees the odds stack overwhelmingly against you.
8. Liu Kang vs Shang Tsung - Mortal Kombat (1995)
Liu Kang finally finds the courage to challenge the shapeshifting sorcerer Shang Tsung to Mortal Kombat. This prolonged and, rightfully climatic face off sees Liu Kang going three rounds against FilmMining 101’s favorite villain in a gorgeous set. With clear dramatic stakes and a pulse pounding Japanese percussion (i.e., taiko drums) based score by George S. Clinton, this is a final fight done right. It helps that Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa elevates every moment he is in, his distinctly expressive face stealing the show (“You. Will. Die!”). Do we need to mention the traditional kung-fu salutes, the gong and The Immortals’ “Techno Syndrome” intro when these two begin to fight?
7. Opening credits - Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
“Afterlife” marked the turning point of Paul WS Anderson who fall in love with 3D visuals and slow motion. Gorgeously shot and lit in Tokyo’s Shibuya crossing with extras holding umbrellas (get it?), it demonstrates an outbreak in one of the busiest intersections in the world. Mika Nakashima plays patient zero, there is a lot of rain, credits appear and disappear through the incoming crowd and Tomandandy’s dubstep/chorus infused “Tokyo” track gives the film an eerie tone. Filmed with the same technology that James Cameron developed for “Avatar” (2009), each shot has depth and carries a bizarre beauty despite the lack of an emotional connection with the material.
6. Johnny Cage Vs Scorpion - Mortal Kombat (1995)
Capturing the exact essence of the videogame in a nice 3 minute sequence, the fight between Scorpion and Johnny Cage has all the elements that a successful videogame adaptation should include. An exotic setting? Check. Brilliant production design that replicates the game’s (aka Scorpion’s lair) arena? Check. Metal soundtrack (Fear Factory’s “Zero Signal”)? Check. Actual moves from the game? Check. Micro cameras and fatalities? Double check. Superb choreography, wire fu and stunning stuntwork? Triple check. No wonder this is peak American cinema fighting.
5. Boarding the Event Horizon - Event Horizon (1997)
Easily in his best film, Anderson demonstrated his chops for otherworldly horror maximizing the use of his unique setting. A gothic cathedral posing as a spaceship that shelters unimaginable horrors, “Event Horizon” is the undisputed winner when it comes to establishing an atmosphere of absolute dread. What makes the sequence even better is the likeable cast who portray relatable, every day characters. Thus, when they board the cursed space vessel, the production design, the lack of swooning music and a Ridley Scott-esque approach to the unknown, we are at the edge of our seat as no one has a clue of what happened and what lurks in the shadows.
4. opening credits - Resident Evil (2002)
Continuing the tradition of opening his films with highly effective sequences, the unnerving chain of events that follow after the on-purpose release of the T-Virus within the hive is the stuff of nightmares for germophobics and claustrophobics. The metallic, low frequenc-ied score only heightens the action highlighting the brutal actions of the Red Queen (i.e,., the elevator shaft) that attempts to control the situation and stop the spread inside a state of art, underground research facility. The long, uninterrupted opening zoom shot bears a prophetic meaning towards genetic manipulation and viral weaponry and it is a flawless way to capture the audience’s attention.
3. Liu Kang Vs Reptile - Mortal Kombat (1995)
Although Johnny Cage Vs. Scorpion gave us the first flavor of wire fu, it was not till the unexpected face off between Liu Kang and Reptile that saw Anderson embracing the Hong Kong fighting methods. Backed by high production values, this additionally shot sequence requested by test audiences does not disappoint with many championed it as the best in the entire movie. The stuntwork is expertly put together courtesy of Hong Kong veteran Robin Shou (Liu Kang) who brought the magic of wires and fast pace choreography to American films for the first time. Tracy Lord’s “Control” only improves the fast pacing of this brutal punch and kick fight.
2. Laser corridor - Resident Evil (2002)
Soldiers walk down a corridor to shut down the Red Queen only to trigger its defensive mechanism. In similar vibes to John Carpenter’s work, the moment we step inside the corridor, we know some type of s**t will go down. We just do not know how. Subverting smartly expectations, Anderson disorients the audience with those inside trying to survive and those outside trying to get in dressing the proceedings through the music marriage of Marco Beltrami and Marilyn Manson. This short but highly effective sequence stays in your memory long after the film has ended and is one of the reasons which landed “Resident Evil” key critical re-appreciation.
1. Opening credits - Mortal Kombat (1995)
45 seconds were enough to launch the “vulgar” auteur’s career in Hollywood. The opening shot of the New Line Logo, a “Mortal Kombat” yell and The Immortals’ “Techno Syndrome” blasting through the speakers amidst all fire and brimstone captures your attention straight away. At least those who were in the 90s electronic bandwagon. Moving away from that, it also showed this film had style. Short and on point, these opening credits are among the best in cinema history, fondly remembered by every single audience member (especially teens) who was exposed. Absolutely superb.