The Top Renny Harlin Films of the 21st Century

      Casey Chong compiles the top Renny Harlin films since the start of the new millennium...

      The name Renny Harlin brings back many fond memories, especially for those who grew up in the 80s and 90s enjoying his films. He gained recognition with A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master in 1988, and by the early 1990s, he had cemented his status with two notable box office successes: Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger. However, his career suffered a setback after the Cutthroat Island disaster, which led to the decline of the once-powerful Carolco Pictures. Although he made a brief resurgence in the late 1990s with The Long Kiss Goodnight and Deep Blue Sea, Harlin struggled to keep up his A-list director reputation in the 2000s. Nonetheless, not all of his later films have been failures. With the release of his new film, the plane crash shark survival thriller Deep Water [read our review here], we explore the best Renny Harlin movies from the post-Deep Blue Sea period...

      Driven (2001)

      Driven was Renny Harlin's first venture into the sports film genre, focusing on Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) events. Often referred to as "Rocky on wheels," it’s easy to see why it garnered this label; star and writer Sylvester Stallone infused it with the same underdog narrative seen in his legendary boxing franchise. However, the spotlight is not solely on Stallone’s Joe Tanto, a semi-retired character who acts more as a mentor, returning to help the promising rookie Jimmy Bly (Kip Pardue).

      While the movie may be predictable, Harlin’s energetic and distinct style recalls the dynamic filmmaking reminiscent of Tony Scott’s Days of Thunder. The heavy use of CGI and slow-motion effects commonly seen in The Matrix tends to give this racing action-drama a video-game-like appearance. Still, it delivers an enjoyable B-movie experience, particularly in its exhilarating racing sequences and spectacular crashes. The mentor-protégé relationship between Joe and Jimmy adds depth, supported by a strong cast, most notably Burt Reynolds’ gruff portrayal of a wheelchair-bound team owner.

      12 Rounds (2009)

      Harlin made a return to the action-thriller genre reminiscent of Die Hard that established his status in Hollywood with 12 Rounds, starring John Cena. Initially a box-office disappointment, this WWE Studios-produced film may borrow elements from Speed and Die Hard with a Vengeance, especially with its intricate game-like structure where the protagonist must complete various tasks. Nonetheless, it offers enough excitement during its 109-minute runtime.

      While Cena may not possess the rugged charm of Bruce Willis’ John McClane, he compensates with a physically intense performance showcasing his character’s resilience through numerous obstacles. The juxtaposition of his tough cop persona with Aidan Gillen’s cunning antagonist provides good tension, particularly as Gillen steals many scenes. Harlin’s bold choice to employ the frenetic camerawork popular in the 2000s, rather than his usual polished style, might unsettle fans of his 1990s work. However, it effectively enhances the tense race-against-time narrative.

      Bodies at Rest (2019)

      Out of the three Chinese-language films Renny Harlin made, Bodies at Rest stands out more than Jackie Chan's Skiptrace and the fantasy-driven Legend of the Ancient Sword. It also brings Harlin back into familiar territory: a Die Hard-style scenario set within a building. Yet instead of an airport, we find ourselves in a city morgue on Christmas Eve. This time, the hero is a forensic pathologist, portrayed by Nick Cheung, rather than a seasoned police officer.

      The plot unfolds following the familiar Die Hard formula. Harlin keeps it brisk at 94 minutes, efficiently establishing the confined space scenario and showcasing Cheung’s character embroiled in a cat-and-mouse chase against three masked intruders, led by Richie Jen’s Santa. Despite an awkward fantasy sequence and a CGI-heavy conclusion, Bodies at Rest proves that Renny Harlin still possesses the skill to craft an engaging action thriller.

      Mindhunters (2004)

      In Mindhunters, Harlin combines his expertise in tension-filled settings with an Agatha Christie-style whodunit. This film suffered from numerous behind-the-scenes challenges, including release delays and studio transitions, leaving it largely forgotten by audiences upon its eventual release.

      While Mindhunters may be complex, its innovative premise—targeting a group of selected FBI trainees trapped on a remote island while being killed one by one during a deadly game—offers a guilty pleasure experience. Harlin’s skill in action-oriented direction is evident, enhanced by plenty of blood and violence. The film's genre-bending nature contributes to the ongoing thrill, integrating slasher-horror elements for added excitement.

      Cleaner (2007)

      This lesser-known thriller from Renny