provides a uniquely engaging way to watch movies. all from the comfort of a living room or theater, getting hearts pounding and pulses pumping in ways that most other genres can't. The best action movies provide what many would argue is the very essence of cinema: escapism.

is one of the fundamental pillars of filmmaking. Good cinematography helps establish iconography— visual images that imprint on viewers' minds and leave a lasting impression. , and this is especially so when it comes to action movies. Visceral and kinetic thrills can be elevated through effective camera work, and these 10 action movies express that sentiment elegantly.

The normal life of New York advertising executive Roger Thornhill () is threatened when a group of foreign spies mistake him for a government agent. Being framed for murder forces Thornhill on the run, with both the dangerous spies and law enforcement hot on his trail. The intervention of a mysterious yet beautiful Eve Kendall () complicates matters even further.

For anyone even remotely familiar with film in any capacity, . While his horror and suspense efforts are often held in the highest regard, is an action-adventure movie that stands out as one of the genre's finest. On a technical level, —thatremains to this day as one of the most impressive feats of action cinematography (especially considering its age) ever put to the screen.

Formed from the remnants of the Syndicate, the Apostles are a criminal organization planning a multipronged nuclear attack that threatens the lives of millions. Once again under scrutiny for their operational procedures, Ethan Hunt () and the IMF are forced to collaborate with hardheaded CIA agent August Walker (). Old enemies and allies alike throw their hats into the ring in a race for plutonium cores.

Not only the strongest movie of the excellent franchise, . Cruise is a name often associated with truly insane stunts (especially in the Mission: Impossible series), but he's operating on . Thankfully, the quality of the cinematography reflects his daredevil efforts; it's kinetic, concise and overall glorious work. .

Astute FBI agent Kate Macer () is assigned . As Macer becomes more embroiled in a world of violence that far exceeds anything she has experienced before, she soon realizes that their fight against drug trafficking is far from virtuous.

Not only one of the , is one of . Expertly crafted and tense from the very first frame to the last, . This is thanks in no small part to legendary cinematographer . His work here may not be the most bombastic of his career, but it could very well be his most efficient and effective. The use of naturalistic lighting and long takes make the world (and brutality) of Sicario feel all the more palpable and dangerous.

Set in the slums of Jakarta, Indonesia, a towering and derelict apartment building serves as the safe house of a powerful drug lord and his army of thugs. While previously left untouched by the local authorities, . Unfortunately for the officers, their cover quickly becomes blown, and the team finds themselves vastly outnumbered and outgunned.

is a breathless example of . It's a landmark effort in stunt coordination, fight choreography, and high-intensity direction that is the for their audience. The close-quarters combat is captured with an efficiency and effectiveness that's all too uncommon in action movies. Thanks to the stellar camerawork, every punch, kick, and stab feels .

The world's most feared assassin, John Wick (), returns in this fourth entry to the franchise. After being hunted to the edge of the Earth by rivals and previous employers, , a shadowy organization with the keys to his freedom. Wick must find an alliance with the few people left he can trust if he ever wishes his life to return to normalcy.

; these are movies that appeal to the sensibilities of any action junkie, providing visceral shootouts, car chases and viscous hand-to-hand b. The success of can be attributed to the technical finesse on display, especially when it comes to the cinematography. There's a rhythm to the carnage— a bullet ballet that's and even harder to not be impressed by.

Dom Cobb () and his associates have revolutionized the art of thievery; they conduct operations within the dreams of their targets, . With retirement in sight and a promise of his freedom, Cobb accepts one last job that will require him and his crew to implant an idea into the subconscious of a powerful CEO heir.

Visionary director and out-there concepts go hand in hand, and might behis most ambitious work to date. While it can still be enjoyed on the surface level as a heist/action epic, that many modern blockbusters can only dream of. The cinematography adds immensely to the experience; the set pieces are visually stunning, .

Set in 16th-century Japan, . After gathering six other samurai to assist him, they begin to train the village people how to defend themselves. With a fierce battle looming over the horizon, and fight for those they swore to protect.

Widely accepted as one of the greatest movies ever made, is an action epic ,despite being over 70 years old. Few movies have a visual style this elegant; . Every frame in Seven Samurai could be a painting, and that extends to the excellent and expansive battle sequences. .

Thomas Anderson () works a day job as a meek computer programmer but otherwise operates as a hacker known in the underworld as Neo. When Neo is presented with the opportunity to learn the truth behind humanity's existence, he accepts. The rabbit hole Neo enters goes deeper than he could've ever imagined, learning who will save the human race from simulated bondage.

. It's a turn-of-the-century sci-fi epic that changed the landscape of filmmaking as a whole. With its revolutionary computer-generated visuals and grand, existential scale, The Matrix is an exceedingly impressive piece of work. None of it would be nearly as effective if it wasn't for the masterful camerawork. Things were in The Matrix that had never been accomplished before. From the color grade to the revolutionary integration of complex camera movements, .

Set in early 19th-century China, a generational swordsman named Li Mu Bai () decides to retire and give up his legendary Green Destiny sword. named Yu Shu Lien (). When the treasured blade is stolen by a mysterious young thief, Bai and Lien must race to recover it on an epic journey that spans the Chinese frontier.

. Martial arts movies are often known for their bombastic flair; in that regard, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is especially impressive. . The imagination and ingenuity on display when it comes to framing and composition, especially in the fight scenes, inspire in ways that are sure to reinforce anybody's love for movies. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a movie that's .

The apocalypse has left the world a barren desert wasteland. ; it's the lifeblood of the wasteland and the fuel source of rusted war machines. Max Rockatansky () navigates the landscape as a vagabond with no loyalties or friendships, only a desire to outrun a troubled past. After a run-in with the hardened and fearless Furiosa (), Max finds an unlikely ally in a race to an alleged promised land.

is a towering cinematic achievement in every regard. Unabashedly visionary and visually spectacular,. The adherence to practical effects and daring stunt work , as does the frenetic yet tight editing. There's a near-psychedelic beauty in the way Mad Max: Fury Road is put together, with the cinematography in particular elevating the thrills of the movie into the stratosphere. Never in the history of cinema has action ever been shot with such energy and vigor. Mad Max: Fury Road is a movie that needs to be seen to be believed.

NEXT: 10 Movies With the Worst Cinematography, Ranked