Action films would not be the same without weapons. Filmmakers sometimes feel it is important that the choice of weapons for their characters should reflect the style of the world around them. Just like how many science fiction films prefer having laser pistols, rather than the standard bullet-firing pistols, because bullets would not be as proficient in different atmospheres. Some films have pushed the envelope by creating new and interesting weapons rather than sticking to the usual weapons chosen.
6 Lightsaber - Star Wars
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
1977 saw the birth of one of the most successful franchises in film history: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. This film changed science fiction into what we have today. The story of a young Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, who must work with a starship captain, played by Harrison Ford, to rescue a kidnapped princess from imperial forces. Becoming rebel freedom fighters, they fight to restore peace and harmony to the galaxy. The traditional weapon of the Jedi, the lightsaber, is one of the most incredible inventions of the franchise. It is also one of the most recognizable movie weapons, that has inspired many others. Described as a plasma sword that can cut and burn, and even leaves cauterized wounds on an enemy, the crystal that powers the lightsaber bonds to the Force the wielder emits; it is a literal extension of the holder.
5 The Noisy Cricket - Men In Black
The 1997 film Men in Black had to create a realistic interplanetary world that was hidden alongside average daily life. It is a story that follows an over-eager police officer as he is recruited into a secret government agency in charge of policing the interplanetary visitors on Earth. Assuming his new identity as Agent J, played by Will Smith, he and his partner Agent K, played by Tommy Lee Jones, must race an evil alien cockroach to an important jewel before an intergalactic war begins. The filmmakers had to create different alien races and the weapons that could subdue them. Many of them were super-sized and intimidating; however, Agent J's first issued weapon was the opposite. Dubbed the Noisy Cricket, the gun is minuscule and resembles a squirt gun that couldn't take out a fly. However, when used, the weapon showed its worth by shooting such a powerful blast that the recoil sent Agent J flying backwards. The Noisy Cricket was the best of both worlds: comedic gold and a power house weapon.
4 Chainsaw Hand - Evil Dead II
After battling demons in the Evil Dead, the sequel from 1987, Evil Dead 2: Dead Before Dawn, shows Ash Williams, played by Bruce Campbell, as he takes his girlfriend to a secluded cabin for a romantic getaway. The vacation turns for the worse when an audio tape is found that contains readings of a demonic book. After hearing the tape, Ash's girlfriend is possessed, and he is unable to escape the surrounding woods.
While the Evil Dead franchise is known for not taking itself too seriously, the chainsaw hand was a whole new combination of weapons. After cutting off his own hand with a chainsaw to stop him from becoming possessed, Ash was able to figure out how to adapt the chainsaw to fit onto his stump. Being able to cut off his own arm was an impressive feat, but then using the same chainsaw to replace the lost appendage was a clever improvisation that turned out to be a fan-favorite weapon.
3 Identity Disc - Tron
The 1982 film Tron, and the sequel, was a one-of-a-kind story world. Following the story of computer engineer Kevin Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges, as he works on a ground-breaking computer system. An evil executive hacks the system and steals Flynn's work. In an effort to stop the hack, Flynn is accidentally transported into the computerized world. He must fight to stop the evil Master Control Program that the hacker created from oppressing the humanoid programs.
While the metal identity discs are rigid, they work much like a chakram that moves in a stream of light as they cut through the air. They work well as a long range weapon; however, the identity disc is more than a weapon. It is a hard drive that contains everything a program is. Everything the programs or users see, hear, or experience is stored on the disc. The characters of the Tron universe were quite literally fighting with everything they were, taking this weapon to a new risky height.
2 Guitar Case Gun - Desperado
The 1995 Robert Rodriguez film Desperado is the sequel to the 1993 El Mariachi. It is the story of a traveling musician as he follows the ruthless trail of a sinister drug lord. With the help of his friends and a bookshop owner, played by Salma Hayek, the musician begins to take out the drug lord's army, readying for an action-packed showdown. While the first filmed showed El Mariachi using his guitar case to store a large amount of weapons, Desperado took the case to a new level. The team of heroes housed machine guns in the guitar cases with a quick trigger for easy accessibility. Then, they also hid a rocket launcher through the case and were able to fire it straight through the top. This was a very unexpected way to show a weapon and that made the film memorable and fun.
1 Monster Long Sword - Monster Hunter
The 2020 film Monster Hunter follows a team of soldiers led by their captain, played by Milla Jovovich, as they are transported to a new world. The giant creatures of the world threaten their lives, so they must team up with a local hunter if they want to make it back to their own world alive. All the details in the film followed closely to the original video game concepts so well, that fans actually want a sequel. The long sword the hunter uses throughout the film was a realistic interpretation of the video game's version.
The detail of fang and bone in the blade as well as the second hand hold above the hilt was very attentive. The weapon itself was incredible for the power it contained from being made out of the bones of giant elemental monsters. It is shown in the film to even contain some elemental power in a strong charge attack. This weapon was creative in its real life creation and faithful in its interpretation of the game concept.