Making a name for himself following the release of his cult hit TV show Spaced back in 1999, Edgar Wright has gradually become one of the most respected filmmakers in Hollywood – with every single one of his projects growing in scale and ambition.
With that said, taking a look at Wright’s flawless filmography, it’s incredibly apparent that the director’s talent for shooting action has skyrocketed with each one of his releases – developing a very distinct flair of his own in the process. Wright is undoubtedly one of the few true auteurs left in mainstream Hollywood, and with that in mind, here are his 10 most impressive action sequences, ranked.
Hot Fuzz – Supermarket Shootout
Taking place near the end of Hot Fuzz, the supermarket shootout isn’t quite as clever as its prior action sequences but still manages to impress nonetheless. The scene sees Simon Pegg’s Nicholas Angel assemble a team of riot gear-clad police officers to storm the local supermarket, hoping to capture the villainous Simon Skinner.
Forced to fight off the store’s loyal staff, the scene smartly repurposes everyday objects as deadly weapons – including meat cleavers from the deli counter, jars of preserves and a freezer.
Baby Driver – Foot Chase
Considering Baby Driver is a movie well-known for its incredible series of car chases, it’s funny that one of its most impressive action sequences takes place entirely on foot. The scene follows Baby after a botched robbery as he attempts to flee from the police on foot.
Featuring some impressive free-running and clever camerawork, the scene also benefits from a smart use of diegetic sound, which blends with “Hocus Pocus” by the band Focus perfectly.
Baby Driver – Buddy Brawl
The climactic action sequence of Baby Driver sees a vengeful Buddy take the wheel in a stolen squad car, intent on killing Baby and his girlfriend Debora. The two men have something of a duel in their respective cars, bobbing and weaving through a cramped parking garage as they go.
Making spectacular use of color and lighting – as well as the amazing “Brighton Rock” by Queen – the sequence captures the fury and grief of Buddy excellently, giving the scene a distinct sense of narrative and emotional weight.
The World’s End – Last Orders
Perfectly exemplifying the inventive way that Wright puts together an action sequence, the bar fight between Gary King, his friends and a legion of androids in The World’s End is one of his very best. The sequence is incredibly well-choreographed, with one character’s fight flowing directly into another’s, making the’ various skirmishes feel kinetic and connected in the process.
The scene is also a fantastic example of action furthering character, with Gary’s desperate attempts to finish his pint throughout the fight serving as a great running gag, a fun visual centerpiece for the combat and a tragic beat for Gary King all at once.
The World’s End – Bathroom Brawl
While staging a fight sequence in a wide-open space is hard enough, doing so in a cramped environment is infinitely more difficult. That’s exactly what makes the bathroom brawl in The World’s End so impressive.
The first major confrontation between humans and androids in the movie, the scene sees Gary and his friends take on an equal number of androids. The sequence is well choreographed, with a clever use of the android’s detachable limbs providing some creative beats – all of which is complemented by Wright’s slick camerawork and some seamless editing.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World – Final Boss
Now, this entry might be cheating a little bit, since it’s technically two separate sequences, but never mind. In the first sequence, Scott loses his fight against Ramona’s final Evil Ex – Gideon – and dies as a result. After gaining another ‘life’ however, Scott is given a second chance, fighting his way into Gideon’s club the exact same way as before, only faster and with a renewed sense of purpose.
The sequence is a fun emulation of video game progression, and it’s immensely satisfying to see Scott take out Gideon with the help of former girlfriend, Knives. To top it all off, the entire thing is so energetic, colorful and fluidly staged that it’s infinitely rewatchable.
Shaun Of The Dead – Don’t Stop Me Now
Probably one of the most beloved scenes of Edgar Wright’s career, the bar fight in which Shaun and his friends beat a zombified bartender with pool cues served as a prototype of Wright’s future work in Baby Driver – with the action sequences syncing up perfectly with Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” which is playing over the jukebox.
With David frantically flipping the breakers to try and silence the jukebox, the lights begin to flash on and off, making the scene look like a rock concert for an adoring horde of ravenous zombies. It’s exactly the kind of visual comedy that’s become synonymous with Wright and stands out as one of his best sequences.
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World – Fighting Roxy
Perhaps the most underappreciated battle in all of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Ramona’s fight against her aggressive ex Roxy is amongst the most energetic action sequences Wright has ever produced. Pitting Roxy’s sharp, metallic, whip-belt against Ramona’s comically oversized mallet, the first half of the sequence is a visual marvel.
When it’s revealed that Scott must defeat Roxy himself, however, Wright ups the ante. Refusing to hit a woman, Ramona is forced to use Scott as a marionette – controlling his punches and kicks to put Roxy down once and for all.
Hot Fuzz – The Battle For Sandford
Of all the action sequences throughout Edgar Wright’s career, Nicholas Angel’s epic shootout with the elderly residents of Sandford is perhaps his funniest ever. Not only is it sublimely shot and edited – even surpassing the movies it pays homage to – but it’s so packed with hilarious jokes and call-backs that it’s tough to imagine the amount of work it took to put together.
Watching the elderly residents of Sandford attempt to violently murder Angel is funny in itself – and watching them get their comeuppance is even more satisfying – but the incredible marriage of sharp writing and well-executed action here makes for one of the funniest action sequences ever put to screen.
Baby Driver – Opening Car Chase
There are few opening sequences in movie history as deliriously thrilling as the one found in Baby Driver. Set to the song “Bellbottoms” by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, the scene sees the movie’s titular driver stage a daring getaway after a successful bank robbery.
Perhaps the most impressive scene featuring ‘gymkhana’ ever put to screen, watching Baby weave in and out of obstacles and creatively evade the police as he mimes along to the perfectly synced-up music is nothing short of miraculous. Honestly, it’s so impressive that it’s hard to conceive how the scene was even logistically possible in the first place.