Any woman who tells you that we can’t be just as shallow as the guys when it comes to looks is frankly, full of it.
We gals can be just as charmed by looks as our male counterparts, and that goes for our tastes at the box-office too.
Ever since the dream factory kicked into high gear in the golden age of Hollywood, audiences (male and female) can’t say no to a pretty/handsome face. But in the world of action movies, things have changed.
In the heydays of 80’s action flicks, heroes weren’t about looking good, they were about being bad-asses. But in 2013, a killer set of muscles isn’t enough anymore, now we need a face and a ladies-man charm to go along with it. It’s kind of amazing how pretty action stars have become over the years..which as a red-blooded girl is just fine with me.
Case in point: the new GI Joe hits theatres this week starring Channing Tatum, and front and centre are heroes that could probably head a men’s fragrance campaign in between saving the world, and it’s because of this new breed of action star that I was inspired for this instalment of The List.
But before I get started, don’t think I’m trying to say that these fine, hardworking actors are little more than a piece of meat. I’m just saying that for every list of the hottest ladies of ____, there are legions of women out there sizing up the boy candy on display at their local multiplex, and listed below are just a few.
1. Channing Tatum (GI Joe, 21 Jump Street)
There are those actors whose charm and box office appeal is an intangible thing. And Channing Tatum is one of those actors – I think of it as the Julia Roberts effect. He may not be the greatest actor of his generation, but damn if we don’t all like him. And it may sound harsh, but one of Mr Tatum’s greatest assets are his looks, and he isn’t afraid to exploit what he’s got (if you don’t believe me, take a look at the last time he hosted SNL).
2. Keanu Reeves (Point Break, Speed, The Matrix)
You don’t necessarily think of Reeves as one of the veterans of great action movies — but you can’t deny that he was front and centre in three of the better action movies of the last 25 years, starting with Kathryn Bigelow’s surf-action flick Point Break. Bigelow has always had an eye for men and loads her action fare with some very pretty faces, and you can’t get much prettier than Mr. Reeves in his ‘heartthrob’ prime.
3. Jason Statham (Crank, The Transporter(s), The Expendables)
Now this is one actor who has alway fascinated me, because it seems like everyone, and I mean everyone, likes Jason Statham. A former diver and model, he made is debut in Guy Ritchie’s crime flick Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and since then has made a career out of playing strong silent types and cool as a cucumber smart-asses. Besides, there is just something about a man who can wear the hell out of a suit.
4. Michael Fassbender (300, Centurion, X-Men First Class)
Mr. Fassbender is that rare type of actor that seems just as comfortable swinging a sword or blowing things up as he is emoting in a frock coat. Fassbender has had a variety of parts in action flicks over the years, but now that he’s slipped into Magneto’s helmet and will be starring as the lead in the Assassin’s Creed adaptation, I’d say his action star status is pretty solid.
5. Hugh Jackman (The Wolverine, Swordfish)
With old-school movie star looks and a penchant for song and dance numbers, Jackman is a great example of the new breed of action star with a little something extra. When he isn’t singing, he’s kicking ass as everyone’s favourite mutant, which makes for a pretty loveable combination. There is no denying that female geeks the world over are thankful that Mr. Jackman has brought Wolverine to the big screen and the marketing team for The Wolverine knows it — in the new teaser just released for the superhero flick, they manage to include not one, but two shots of a shirtless Wolverine, and that’s quite an accomplishment in a 20 second teaser.
