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Few names carry more weight in the world of activeness movies than the French filmmakerLuc Besson , a theatre director creditworthy for some ofthe most acclaimed action movies of all time . While Besson has been behind somebeloved cult classicsand mainstream hits , he ’s also delivered some underwhelming action movies across his more than four decade of filmmaking . With genre - bend releases that include fast - paced assassin history , reverence - revolutionize sci - fi spectacles , and raw , coarse-grained crime thrillers , even Besson ’s failures were wildly ambitious and unique films .
Many ofBesson ’s most badass movieswere in the action genre , and while he is also have it off for writing screenplays for classic likeTaxiandThe Transporter , this ranking is focused on his directorial oeuvre . Whilebehind - the - scenes controversies have recontextualized some of Besson ’s work in a less - than - stark ignitor , there ’s no denying that he was also one of the most important voice of action mechanism filmmaking in the nineties and beyond . With movies including all - time expectant performances from the likes of Bruce Willis and Natalie Portman , Besson was responsible for for some of the most acclaimed activity pic of all time .
8Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets (2017)
A disappointing box office bomb
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The inflammation was tangible when Luc Besson announcedValerian and the City of a Thousand Planets , an epic space opera that viewers hoped could recapture the same cinematic magic asThe Fifth Element . As an adaptation of the Gallic sci - fi comic seriesValérian and Laureline , this film squander so much of its potential that it was heavy to feel anything but foiling at its litany of missed chance . With Dane DeHaan as Valerian and supermodel Cara Delevingne as Laureline , this universe - saving story was characterise by the sheer want of chemistry between its two wizard .
While the comic book world envisioned by Pierre Christin and illustrator Jean - Claude Mézières was richly imagined , its cinema edition felt derivative and forgettable . Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planetscould have been an ambitious takings to form for Besson , yet even its activity setting felt dull , and its ludicrous tale lacked urgency . With a output budget of $ 180 million , Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planetswas the most expensive independent photographic film ever made(viaNewsweek ) and , although it was an challenging picture show by Besson , it will not be remembered as anything but a magisterial bankruptcy .
7DogMan (2023)
A film with a weak bark and no bite
WhileLuc Besson’sDogManwas a stylish activeness movie with an intriguing premise , the lamentable truth was that the result was a film with a weak bark and no bite . Despite a standout operation from Caleb Landry Jones as Doug Munrow , this tale of a man with a love for frank who was abused by his father as a child took some bizarre turns and give out to live up to the lofty expectations of Besson ’s best piece of work in the action writing style .
Luc Besson’sDogManshould not be confused with the 2025 children ’s animated filmDog Man .
DogMantakes audiences on a journeying through Doug ’s life and the psychic trauma and vengeance that characterized it . From training packs of dogs to help him to stealing jewellery to perform night club shows in drag , DogManhad plenty of shifting tones , and although there were some compelling action sequences , this were not enough to pull through the flick from mediocrity . Sadly , DogManwas just another contribution to the underwhelming flight of Besson ’s late career .
6Lucy (2014)
A polarizing addition to Luc Besson’s filmography
There ’s no deny that there were mass of issues withLucy , although it still grade among the most thoroughly entertaining releases of Luc Besson ’s twenty-first - 100 work . With Scarlett Johansson as the nominal Lucy , a woman who get ahead psychokinetic ability from an experimental synthetic drug , Lucytook the approximation that humans only use 10 % of their brain to the absolute extremum . With the drug unlock her untapped potential , Lucy not only becomes super - voguish but also really gain power of unimaginable extremities .
At its core , Lucywas a ridiculous moving picture based on the outdated and incorrect idea that the mediocre someone use a tiny fraction of their brain mental ability , but if you’re able to suspend your mental rejection enough , it ’s severe not to be win over by its over - the - top nature . Johansson yield a nifty performance , and Morgan Freeman play his confirm function as a brain expert prof to beau ideal . WhileLucywas far from high artwork , it was also Besson ’s most wildly entertaining moving-picture show in years .
5Le Dernier Combat (1983)
An underseen directorial debut from Luc Besson
The Last Battle , released in 1983 , is a post - apocalyptic film directed by Luc Besson . It follows the protagonist , play by Pierre Jolivet , navigating a stark world where communicating has nigh terminate , facing threat from a character known as " The Brute , " portrayed by Jean Reno .
Le Dernier Combatwas a fascinating directorial debut from Luc Besson that blended action mechanism and artistry in a post - apocalyptical tale . scoot in black and clean and with just two words of dialog , this was far from the mainstream , action - pack trend that would characterize the French film producer ’s late work . Instead , Le Dernier Combatwas a thoughtful dystopia place in an conceive of future tense where no one is able to utter , and the remaining survivors fight over resource .
As a visually expressive limning of a resource - stricken landscape painting , Le Dernier Combatpaired the stylistic beauty ofBlade Runnerwith the kill - or - be - killed brain ofMad Max . Through playful experimentation and 1980s pop culture references , Le Dernier Combatcaptured the admixture of art and natural process that has made Besson such an challenging addition to the natural action movie landscape painting these retiring 40 - plus years . While it ’s challenging , almost silent picture - style presentation may put some viewers off;Le Dernier Combatdeserves to reach a much bountiful hearing .
4Anna (2019)
A back-to-basics action thriller from Luc Besson
Everything about the stylish thrillerAnnaworks well and more than delivers for those accustomed to Luc Besson ’s unparalleled brand of action - packed cinema . For those very conversant with his work , Annadidn’t contain anything viewers had n’t already seen , although its telling cast , including Cillian Murphy and Helen Mirren , as well as strong leading execution from Sasha Luss , made it a high degree of his late career . Telling the story of a strikingly beautiful Russian char with the potential to become one of the world ’s most dread bravo , Annawas a stylish female - result display case of Besson ’s continued skill for well - choreograph action .
While critic were less than kind towardAnna , and it was widely dismissed as implausible , this feels like a thin way to disregard a flick that was never target at the likes of James Bond , John McClane , or John Wick . As a established legal action motion-picture show with a few exciting twist and turn , Annafeels like Besson is prompt consultation that , when he need to , he ’s more than capable of delivering a play - fill up action flick . WhileBesson ’s personal controversies may have overshadowed the release of this film , Annawas an gratifying addition to his body of work .
3La Femme Nikita (1990)
A smart, stylish, and psychotic romantic thriller
La Femme Nikitawasa prime example of the French Cinéma du look film movement , of which Luc Besson is often associated . Continuing on the same stylistic trajectory as former works likeSubwayandThe Big Blue , La Femme Nikitaencapsulated Besson ’s tendency to value style over substance and range more importance on spectacle than narrative ponderosity . This shift in filmmaking priorities precede to an action film with a truly beautiful aesthetic that slant totally into the outrageous nature of the action genre .
With an incredible lede performance from Anne Parillaud as Nikita , La Femme Nikitatold the story of a char facing life in prison who instead is recruit as a professional bravo . While this arranging works at first , the line between Nikita ’s professional and personal life fall aside when a missionary post goes awry . La Femme Nikitawas a character - led military action triumph that stand for the pinnacle of Besson ’s French - language releases .
2The Fifth Element (1997)
A sci-fi triumph with a cult following
As one of the greatest sci - fi movie of the nineties , Luc Besson proved he could immingle stylish , action - packed chronological sequence with immersive world - construction withThe Fifth Element . This star - constellate rage classic featured unbelievable performances from the likes of Bruce Willis , Gary Oldman , and Milla Jovovich , and although it divided critic at the fourth dimension of its freeing , it has since make a reputation as one of the best summer smash hit of all time .
The Fifth Elementstars Bruce Willis as the futuristic cabriolet driver Korben Dallas , who unwittingly finds himself entangled in a conflict to protect Leeloo , the key to an ancient cosmic weapon capable of stopping an come near force out of pure evil , all while being pursued by the ruthless Zorg . Based on a taradiddle that Besson first gestate at 16 years old , The Fifth Elementwas an all-important addition to his filmography and a prime vitrine of his natural action motion-picture show credentials . With a richly imagined cinematic humanity , The Fifth Elementwas one of Besson ’s crown achievements as a film producer .
1Léon: The Professional (1994)
An undisputed action movie classic
While the re - test ofLéon : The Professionalin the wake of the # MeToo motion provides some uncomfortable realizations , such as Luc Besson ’s then 16 - year - old married woman serving as its divine guidance , it ’s impossible to deny its legacy as an all - time expectant action picture . feature anastounding performance by then - nipper actress Natalie Portman , Léon : The Professional ’s portrayal of an unusual kinship between a professional gunman and his 12 - year - older apprentice betoken the dawning of a brand fresh Hollywood starlet .
Léon : The Professional director Luc Besson respond to Oscar - winner Natalie Portman ’s retrospective review of his Graeco-Roman 1994 crime thriller .
The astounding action sequences inLéon : The Professionalshowcased Besson as a French movie maker of tremendous talent who could no longer be ignored by Hollywood . With tightly choreograph gunfights , Léon : The Professionalstood in contrast to the over - the - top shootout of so many other action movies as Besson imbued these sequences with real emotional stakes that spotlight character motivation over gossamer spectacle . In a career fill with fashionable natural action movies , despite its uncomfortable behind - the - scene details , Léon : The Professionalstands asLuc Besson’sgreatest work .
Source : Newsweek
Custom image by Ana Nieves.
The Last Battle, released in 1983, is a post-apocalyptic film directed by Luc Besson. It follows the protagonist, played by Pierre Jolivet, navigating a desolate world where communication has nearly ceased, facing threats from a character known as “The Brute,” portrayed by Jean Reno.
