5 Great Action Movies That Marked the End of an Era

Action movies, like any major genre, have gone through many different phases and eras. Changing sensibilities, rising and falling stars, and developing technologies have all contributed to the many shifts the genre has seen. As with all trends, the divisional lines aren't always easy to draw. The styles and themes of one era can bleed over into another, while stars and directors can transition as well. It's often easier to spot the films that are the beginning of an era rather than the end of one, especially since the rise of post-modern cinema, where movies are in constant conversation with their influences. In retrospect, though, there are those movies that can be looked at as the last of their kind.