Daniel Day-Lewis is widely regarded as one of the finest actors in film history, boasting three Academy Awards to his name—three more than his English counterpart, Jason Statham. However, has Day-Lewis ever executed a chokehold with a handful of casino chips, knocked someone out with a coin, dispatched a foe with a spoon, or delivered a punch to a man's fist with his own head? Jason Statham accomplished all these feats in a single film. The comparison is clear: there's no contest.
Statham has emerged as one of the 21st century's most reliable action stars. With his new film, A Working Man, now in theaters, it's the perfect time to celebrate his career's most memorable and entertaining moments. Since the Academy doesn't yet award Oscars for feats like walking through fire, water-skiing blindfolded, or mastering the piano later in life, this tribute is the least we can do.
The Best Jason Statham Movie Moments
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Homefront
Ever wonder if Jason Statham’s action heroes could take on three opponents with their hands tied behind their back? In Homefront, Statham proves they can, dispatching three adversaries while restrained. It's a thrilling way to start our countdown.
The Beekeeper
While The Beekeeper might have had a softer side, with Statham sparing some scam call center workers who apologized, fans weren't thrilled. Yet, he redeems himself by tracking down the call center manager, strapping him to his truck, and driving off a bridge, dragging the villain behind. They say bumblebees aren't great fliers, but they're better than a 1967 Ford F-100 in this scenario.
AnswerSee ResultsWild Card
Returning to the film mentioned earlier, Wild Card was a box office disappointment despite being directed by the creator of Con Air and featuring Stanley Tucci with hair. It showcases some of Statham's best fight scenes, including a final showdown where he takes down five armed men using only a spoon and a butter knife. Statham emerges unscathed, proving his prowess with "knifey spoony."
Death Race
Director Paul W.S. Anderson may not have earned much prestige from his video game adaptations, but Death Race deserves recognition for its commitment to practical effects and thrilling car crashes, predating Mad Max: Fury Road by years. Statham's clever manipulation of his rival to defeat the Juggernaut is a standout moment, highlighting the superiority of practical effects over CGI.
The Meg
No list of Jason Statham's epic moments would be complete without his battle against a megalodon in The Meg. Statham spears the giant shark, riding it as it leaps from the water and stabbing its eye before it crashes back into the sea, where it's devoured by smaller sharks. As he proves, if it bleeds, you can kill it—even if it's a prehistoric beast.
The Transporter
Ranked seventh is Statham's iconic role as Frank Martin in The Transporter. The original 2002 film features a series of Hong Kong-style action scenes, but the standout is the oil fight. Frank uses oil to slip away from his attackers before using bicycle pedals and spinning heel kicks to take them down.
The Fate of the Furious
Deckard Shaw's transition from villain to hero in the Fast and Furious series was initially contentious, but his redemption was solidified in Fast 9. A highlight from The Fate of the Furious is his airborne rescue of Dom and Elena's baby, blending gun-fu with humor in a memorable scene.
The Expendables
In the Expendables franchise, Statham's Lee Christmas stands out, from kicking Scott Adkins into a helicopter to a memorable basketball court brawl where he takes down six men in seconds. Christmas may come once a year, but when he does, he brings a "knife list" instead of a nice list.
Spy
In the hilarious Spy, Statham's Rick Ford steals the show with his unkillable agent persona, immune to 179 poisons and crafting his own suits. His recounting of driving a car off a freeway onto a train while on fire, not the car, is a comedic highlight.
Transporter 2
The iconic barrel roll from Transporter 2 showcases Frank Martin's cool-headedness as he flips his Audi to dislodge a bomb. It's a testament to his unflappable nature and physics-defying stunts.
Crank: High Voltage
In Crank 2, after surviving a fall from a helicopter, Chev Chelios' heart is stolen, leading to hallucinatory battles as a giant kaiju version of himself. It's a surreal and unforgettable moment in a truly wild film.
Snatch
Topping our list is Snatch, where Statham, in his second film, holds his own among stars like Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro. His character Turkish delivers some of the film's most memorable lines, with the quip about protection from "Zee Germans" standing out. It's a testament to Statham's ability to shine in any role, action or otherwise.
