The Essentials: Fly Like an Eagle

The eagle is truly a majestic bird in all its different varieties. Eagles adorn flags, heraldry and are the national symbol of countless nations.  What other animal can claim that it’s most awe inspiring form is bald? Definitely not a Mexican hairless dog, woof! Eagles are also involved in countless action movies whether it is just in the title or in the actual movie. If you are looking for a guide to the must watch eagle movies you have come to the right place as I just happen to have a list that I like to call The Essential Eagle Action Movies For Action Movie Lovers Looking For Action Movies With Eagles. So without further ado and in no particular order, let’s do this thing.

• Black Eagle (1988) – All you really need to know about Black Eagle can be summed up with two names, Sho Kosugi (Revenge of the Ninja) and Jean-Claude Van Damme (No Retreat, No Surrender.) It is an earlier role for Van Damme where he is the villain facing off against Kosugi’s Ken Tani, CIA special operative with the code name “Black Eagle” DING! Like I said, that is really all you need to want to watch, but Tani brings along back-up in the form of his two sons played by Kosugi’s real life sons Kane and Shane Kosugi. #Realism
• The Hunt for Eagle One – Mark Dacascos (Cradle 2 the Grave) is an underrated action star, but unfortunately movies like The Hunt for Eagle One are the reason he is not a household name. However, if you are into DTV actioners with Mark Dacascos and that have eagle in the title you know why it’s on this list. Special bonus points for the sequel, The Hunt for Eagle One: Crash Point, because it also has eagle in the title and stars Jeff Fahey.
• Where Eagles Dare – Clint Eastwood fighting Nazis? Sign me up. Hell, I’ll take octogenarian Clint fighting Nazis today over some of the lubberwort dew-beaters that are in today’s movies and that Chad Cruise hates so much. Clint Eastwood has been in the Hollywood game a long time, but I dare you to watch this classic with eagle in the title. See what I did there?

• Eagle Eye – This Shia LeBeouf action thriller is only making the list because Chris the Brain used to work with a guy whose last name was Eagleye and it has eagle in the title. If that really doesn’t it do it for you, did I mention that Marc Singer (Sweet Justice) has a small role? If you have never seen Eagle Eye you are not missing much but CTB really misses ol’ Eagleye. #FiredForNotShowingUpToWork
• Iron Eagle – THE quintessential fighter jet movie. That’s right Top Gun, I’ll take Iron Eagle over you any day and that would be even if eagle wasn’t in the title. The tale of Doug Masters (Jason Gedrick) and Chappy Sinclair (Louis Gossett Jr.) daring rescue of Doug’s father Ted Masters (Tim Thomerson) might not be the most realistic movie about fighter jets but it is the most entertaining and I love the imagery the title evokes of an actual iron bird. More bonus points given out for having quality sequels sans Iron Eagle IV.

• The Lawless Land – Look at the soaring eagle on the cover and tell me you aren’t ready to rip a kick ass guitar solo, chug Jack Daniels and bang chicks. That eagle is what perfect tattoo dreams are made of.

• Grayeagle – While we are on the topic of awesome movie posters let me present Greyeagle. You get a badass warrior, a smokin’ hot Native American chick and a vicious battle scene. You could place that on your T.V. screen, stare at it for two hours and it would still be more interesting then much of the schlock put out today. Plus you can’t go wrong with Ben Johnson (Breakheart Pass), Iron Eyes Cody (Ernest Goes to Camp) and Lana Wood (Diamonds are Forever.)
• Eagles: Hell Freezes Over – While I prefer the solo works of Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Joe Walsh better, there is no denying that the reunion of The Eagles, rumored only to happen when hell freezes over, is one of the greatest concert films ever.
• One of those Lord of the Rings movies – I remember some giant eagles rescuing Gandolf and maybe some of the dwarfs, but I honestly don’t know which movie it was from. The trilogy is way too long no matter how impressive of a cinematic experience it is. But god dammit everytime I see those CGI eagles I understand while people drool all over J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson.
• Sanford and Son – Fred Sanford, Legal Eagle – I know this list is for action movies, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t keep one of the best episodes from one of the best comedies off the list. If you have never seen it, go watch it now. If you have seen it, you know why it couldn’t be kept of the list. Either way you will be laughing after watching.

Admit it. You love eagles just as much as I do and probably have enjoyed many of the films listed in The Essential Eagle Action Movies For Action Movie Lovers Looking For Action Movies With Eagles and hopefully there are a few that have piqued your interest and you plan to watch. So go forth and enjoy, but first I can’t let you go without a few honorable mentions.

• The Vigilantes are Coming – This 1930’s western serial had a main character with the name of The Eagle. It is still not enough to keep me interested.
• Order of the Black Eagle: – The animal that comes to mind when I think of  Order of the Black Eagle is a baboon not an eagle.
• Talons of the Eagle: Buddy cop actioner with Billy Blanks and Jalal Mehri. Talons of the Eagle also stars Priscilla Barnes (Traxx) and James Hong (Bloodsport II).

• Legal Eagles – I remember watching this 1986 Robert Redford movie at my grandmother’s house shortly after it came out and being both mesmerized and confused by the title and VHS cover. I haven’t seen it since.
• The Eagle – Uh-oh, this one has Channing Tatum. I have seen worse and surrounding Tatum by some quality actors really helps this period piece, but it wasn’t quite good enough to make the list.