TOP TASLIM: THE ACTOR’S MOST AWE-INDUCING MOMENTS
Fans of action films know that when Joe Taslim is in a fight on screen, it’s time to put down the popcorn — and duck. Keanu Reeves’ John Wick may radiate flusterfree cool, Jackie Chan may play his acrobatics for laughs, but Taslim is the guy with the aggressive, do-or-die — and often do-and-die — style whose scenes are a master-class in martial-arts mayhem and killer choreography.
Here are six reasons why you don’t want to get into a fist fight with this guy.
‘The Raid: Redemption’ (2011): While star Iko Uwais rightly gets the lion’s share of the praise for his ferociously athletic performance in Gareth Evans’ Indonesian-shot film about a cop who has to fight his way out of a building full of thugs, Taslim is equally impressive in a smaller role as his sergeant, Jaka. The confrontation between Jaka and the villain, played with a cruel ferocity by Yayan Ruhian, is like a swift kick in the sternum. The film launched Uwais, Taslim and Ruhian into global martial-arts-movie stardom.
‘The Night Comes for Us’ (2018): The final face-off between Taslim and Uwais at the climax of Tijo Tjahjanto’s merciless film has to be one of the most savage one-on-one fight scenes ever committed to film.
But when Taslim goes wild in a warehouse — where he battles a swarm of henchmen and hirelings — it’s a ballet of brutality. Even as a viewer, you’ll be checking yourself for bruises afterward. Definitely not for the squeamish.
‘Fast and Furious 6’ (2013): Mainstream moviegoers unfamiliar with Asian action movies got their first glimpse of Taslim in this entry in the popular “F&F” franchise. Taslim’s throwdown in the London subway against our heroes, played by Tyrese Gibson and Sung Kang, is a wild burst of kung fu kineticism.
‘Warrior’ (2019): Taslim has been a regular on American TV screens in “Warrior,” the Cinemax series based on an original concept by Bruce Lee that’s set in 19th-century San Francisco. When Taslim steps into the ring against the hero, played by Andrew Koji, it makes for a satisfying showdown.
‘Star Trek Beyond’ (2016): It’s difficult to recognize Taslim under all the makeup as the alien Manas, but once he gets into a scrap with Jaylah (Sofia Boutella), his quick moves give him away.
‘The Swordsman’ (2020): Taslim traveled to South Korea to make this period piece set in ancient Korea, and it’s a clanging battle among swordsmen in which Taslim shows he’s just as quick with the blade as he is with his fists and feet.