7 Perfectly Aged Adventure Movies That No One Talks About Today
Daniel is a 27-year-old List Writer for Collider living in the south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. As an avid film buff, he watches and analyzes many films and TV shows, especially in the horror genre, and regularly attends movie screenings.
Adventure is the quintessential form of entertainment. It is the genre that has given us some of the most exciting stories cinema has ever told, pushing new boundaries for storytelling and taking us on incredible journeys to wonderful lands or different worlds. They have the perfect ability to let audiences escape into the fun, following along with the protagonists as they venture on their daring adventures. In short, it's a genre full of iconic wonder.
But now all adventures are the same. Some are arguably the most thrilling and recognizable films in history; others have faded into obscurity. There are so many of these films that time forgot, so much slipped under the radar under the massive weight and recognition of more profitable adventures like Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Lord of the Rings, and Interstellar. It's time to look at the adventures no one talks about now, the criminally underrated and obscure flicks that were forgotten but deserve appreciation. Just like some of the greats, these eight below are near-perfect adventures.
'Hero' (2002)
Cementing martial arts epics as the dominant force in early 2000s cinema, Hero is an action-adventure masterpiece that captures the genre's best qualities with hardly any issues. Directed by Zhang Yimou, it takes audiences through a wild ride, giving them a martial arts tale that is grand, visually timeless, and never lets up, feeling epic throughout its runtime.
You might think a near-flawless epic like this one would be praised along with so many other martial arts and adventure giants like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, or Everything Everywhere All at Once. Alas, Hero hardly gets a mention these days when talking about this genre. It is far from being considered underrated or forgotten, but it's not a household name unlike others, in part due to it not being the biggest hit in the Western mainstream. Yet it's still flawless and deserves the same recognition and fame as the other greats of this genre. Give it a watch, and appreciate all the excitement it creates.
'The Road to El Dorado' (2000)
A cult favorite that perfectly embodies the hidden gem, 2000s The Road to El Dorado is one of the most underappreciated animated features of all time. Despite its lackluster reception by critics and audiences upon release, this unique animated adventure buddy comedy shines now among fans thanks to its charming characters and enduring plot.
The film was a massive commercial flop for then-newcomer DreamWorks Animation, losing millions at the box office and putting the company on life support until Shrek the following year. After its disastrous opener, The Road to El Dorado faded into the background, being missed by many audiences for years. But skipping it is a shame, as it's a thrilling family adventure with a fun, light-hearted tone and enjoyable voice performances. It's honestly worth just as many rewatches as any other beloved animated flick, and, thankfully, its slow-growing fan base agrees as well.
'Jeremiah Johnson' (1972)
The perfect blend of survival thrills and compelling drama, the 1972 classic Jeremiah Johnson is the epitome of a rugged outdoor adventure film. This is a rough, tough, and timelessly thrilling tale of an epic journey towards self-discovery, following the late great Robert Redford as a nineteenth century US Army soldier turned mountain survivalist as he battles starvation, the elements, and a hostile native tribe while setting up a secluded home in the Colorado Rockies.
Jeremiah Johnson will leave you awestruck by its story and incredible setting. It's got the feel of a Western epic, coupled with gorgeous landscape shots and outdoor locations. And it's quite realistic in its depiction of the beautiful yet dangerous Rocky Mountain range, showing how majestic and tranquil it is, but also brutal and unforgiving for anyone trying to live in it. Not to mention, it's anchored by a remarkable Robert Redford performance, who easily makes his character believable and easy to root for as he endures countless struggles. Despite all it has going for it, it's not talked about as much as it should be these days, especially when compared to so many other westerns and adventures that came out around the time.
'The Ghost and the Darkness' (1996)
Based on a horrifying true story, the 1996 historical adventure thriller The Ghost and the Darkness is an intense roller-coaster ride of a film, full of terror, shocking violence, and nail-biting suspense. How this has flown under most general audiences' radar today is astounding, as it's a pulse-pounding tale that's part epic adventure and part monster flick. The late Val Kilmer and Academy Award winner Michael Douglas star as hired hunters tasked with protecting railway workers by finding and killing a pair of man-eating lions in the Tsavo region of Kenya.
This semi-horror adventure flick is truly a blast that can knock any viewer out of their seats. It's shocking, supremely bloody and gory, and utterly insane in certain parts as we follow these hunters in their quest to kill these almost supernatural beasts. The Ghost and the Darkness was mixed with critics at the time, and it overall didn't become a huge hit with most audiences, leading it to be mostly ignored for years. But time has brought new light, and it's steadily gaining recognition. Coupled with some genuinely solid performances from Kilmer and Douglas, and the breathtaking African landscapes shown throughout the film, this one adventure movie really deserves a chance to be experienced.
'Hidalgo' (2004)
An epic globe-trotting adventure that sadly time forgot, 2004's Hidalgo is a misunderstood cult classic that provides an endlessly exciting experience. Despite hardly being talked about these days, it has the grand feel and scope of a thrilling blockbuster. Viggo Mortensen shines as a rugged cowboy horseman, Frank Hopkins, who is challenged to compete in a high-stakes long-distance horse race in the Middle East with the help of his trusty mustang, Hidalgo.
The story is simple yet effective, and it's easy to follow and get invested in. The writing, while nothing exceptional, is sharp and does a decent job drawing you into the conflict. And, of course, the action and race sequences are riveting and undeniably epic thanks to the equally impressive soundtrack. But despite all it had going for it, it drastically underperformed in the early 2004 box office season, receiving mixed to negative reviews from critics, and was overshadowed by so many other films that came out that year. Overall, while it wasn't an instant hit, Hidalgo is still a fascinating hidden-gem adventure that never lets up on the excitement.
'Alive' (1993)
1993's Alive is an emotionally charged survival adventure tale that will leave you teary-eyed and captivated by its messages about perseverance and the human spirit. Starring Ethan Hawke and Josh Hamilton, it's a mostly accurate retelling of a Uruguayan rugby team and their friends in 1972 as they're pushed to the extreme limits of endurance and must climb home after their plane crashes high in the Andes Mountains in Chile.
Alive expertly retells this incredible account with decent attention to detail and mostly solid performances from the entire cast, who expertly flesh out and make their characters unique. You really feel for these characters, learning what motivates them to survive and endure so much tragedy, starvation, and the elements. Sadly, Alive doesn't get much recognition nowadays, especially since it has been overshadowed lately by J. A. Bayona's 2023 film, Society of the Snow, which many critics and audiences agree is a more respectful and historically accurate retelling of this event. Despite that, though, Alive is still an incredible story packed with raw emotions, heartbreaking drama, and inspiring moments that really show why it's important to never give up in the face of adversity.
'The Man Who Would Be King' (1975)
Lastly, here is a compelling epic that unfortunately slipped under the radar: the 1975 masterpiece The Man Who Would Be King. The late Sir Sean Connery and two-time Oscar-winning acting legend Sir Michael Caine star in this John Huston-directed tale, following the two as frustrated British officers stationed in 1880s India as they abandon their posts and become mistaken for kings in an isolated region of Afghanistan.
Rich with captivating performances, breathtaking visuals, and an intriguing story that excites from beginning to end, The Man Who Would Be King shines today as one of the adventure genre's most underrated classics, a film that's perfect in every way, but not many people have seen it. This really is an incredible blast of entertainment that has the exciting feel of an adventure combined with a historical epic edge. Really, The Man Who Would Be King is one that every adventure lover has to see at least once.
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