There are times in a movie theater, or on a dvd, that I’ll actually applaud; be it with the characters on screen, with the people next to me, or just for my own one man audience. Scenes that are so good that not only are they eternally etched in my mind—I will (well, except for one) still stick around just to see that scene whenever it’s on. Here are my Top 10 bloody awesome and crazy memorable actiony movie scenes in no particular order.

Saving Private Ryan Beach of Normandy: How crazy is it that the scene starts off by focusing on a single drop ship before having them all die once the doors open? It’s a horrifying and violent scene but unforgettable.

Alien Chest Buster Scene : this was a horrifying scene. Like you seriously feel like your in that confined space with the rest of the crew with the whiteness of the dining table looking way to stark when that blood explodes on his shirt. But man, it’s perfect.

Matrix II Freeway Scene : From beginning to end I’m at the edge of my seat with every slash of the knife, every swish of a blade, every kick and back flip. What makes the scene even better is that Neo, who can do anything at this point, isn’t there until the last moment and you find yourself freaking cheering with.

The Matrix Morpheus Rescue: is, in its entirety an awesome segment (starting from “We’re gonna’ need weapons”) but at that moment, when Neo knows (he bloody knows!) that he’s not going to let Trinity die in the helicopter; wraps his arm around the hose fully intent on holding the thing. Wow.

Star Wars Episode 2 Yoda Fight Scene: Yoda was looking more like a puppet (unlike the first movie) and he comes walking in breathing heavy; they start battling with the force—then they stop. It’s not about the Force, it’s about lightsabers. And crazy bloody flips! Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. But since I liked it so much, I found a clip that includes all of the Yoda fight scenes.

Spiderman 2 Train Scene: I like it when heroes in movies go all out with being heroic but do it in a way that is completely not about themselves (think the ending of The Dark Knight “Why is he running, Daddy?” “Because we have to chase him.”) This scene is not so much about Spiderman being a hero, but all out Peter Parker willing to die for a train of strangers. I think I almost cried when he was about to fall and all of these foreign hands held him up, lift him back into the train, and then hand him back his mask.

Star Wars IV You’re Clear Kid! We know it’s not Empire (which is the best movie of all time), we know the acting generally sucked (even though they took themselves less seriously, and thus made a better package, than the later prequel trilogy) but I still sit at the edge of my seat during that whole trench run scene and applaud when Han shows up with the mewling Chewbacca.  I dare you not to smile while watching it.

Serenity  I’m A Leaf on the Wind: This is one of those movies (like The Matrix) where you’d be hard pressed to find The Scene. The Reaver chase? The bar fight? But for me, when the government is waiting to attack Serenity outside the nebula and every single Reaver shows up, that is the joint. This scene is just brought up to the notch with how “I’m a Leaf on the wind” is used on so many levels.
Only a Link available.

Jurassic Park When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth. I can’t find a video but you know the scene. The people have been hunted left and right by the raptors. There’s no way out. They’re being cornered. The raptors snap and crouch and leaps—only to be snagged mid-air by a hungry T-Rex. The raptors, realizing the threat, attack and it throws them down while roaring and the banner falls down from above reading “When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth” Awesome.