5 Best Action Movies Of 2009

There was certainly no shortage of candidates for the list of the 5 best action movies of 2009. That year was a great year for action movies, delivering everything from big budget zombie-fests to anticipated comic book movies to the reboot of one of the most enduring science fiction fan favorites of all time. These are our picks for the 5 best action movies of 2009:

1. "Star Trek" While series purists complained that the new "Star Trek" was too loud and dumbed down, everyone else decided to sit back and enjoy the ride. In this reboot, "Star Trek" jettisons most of its ponderous philosophical debates in favor non-stop thrills, making it one of the best action movies of 2009.
2. "Zombieland" Yes, the zombie craze is overdone, but no other movie did it with quite the enthusiasm of "Zombieland." This zombie action movie combines humor, well-developed characters and a huge, exciting ending for a ride that is exhilarating from start to finish.
3. "District 9" This was truly one of the sleeper hits of 2009. This grim action movie uses stranded aliens to make a statement on xenophobia and our attitudes toward and treatment of refugees from other cultures who have fled war or persecution. As the protagonist interacts with the aliens, we learn that they are not as different as we might imagine. The film does not waste much time moralizing, however, instead filling the running time with exciting action sequences.
4. "Watchmen" This action movie was anticipated for years by fans of the graphic novel, as it was caught in development hell between one studio and another. When it was finally completed and released, most fans were satisfied with what they saw. A complex plot, excellent effects and suspenseful story lines make it one of the best action movies of 2009.
5. "Taken"- Who knew mild-mannered Liam Neeson could be such a bad ass? Certainly not the Albanian slave traders who make the mistake of taking the wrong man's daughter. As a former CIA operative whose daughter is kidnapped, he is tough, clever and uncompromising in his pursuit of the men who have his child.