I didnt mean in terms of fighting ability, I meant in terms of churning out crap films repeatedly and at a fairly rapid pace where its essentially the same character each time. Seagal was in over 50 movies, the vast majority of which were cack, Statham has been in over 50 movies, the vast majority of which are cack
I do understand what you mean, but disagree with the theme of it.
I'm not against "crap" movies necessarily, I love indie and B movies but the point of them is usually super focused on a certain element when they're good. With martial arts/action flicks that is quite obviously the martial arts and action, the guys I mentioned earlier are excellent in that regard. You go in knowing you're going to see something a bit poo in most respects, but really good in others. Seagal couldn't pull that off whatsoever once Hollywood got tired of him, he even had a bit of a weird breakdown period where he claimed his "martial art" (if you're not in the know, Akido is the homeopathy of martial arts) would allow him to do magical things, he fled at least one fight and then got choked out in another after being called out.
I stopped watching Bruce Willis movies despite him being a favourite action star of mine for exactly what you're describing, given his condition it's understandable and I can see why he went that route but outside of his name he no longer had anything to offer.
When I watch a Jason Statham movie, or others like him, I know that even if it's utter poo in almost every other respect it'll be fantastic in the action/fight sequences, Seagal was never capable of pulling that off. Mind you, Statham also has a certain undeniable charisma despite how you feel about him.
I can name 3-4 Seagal movies worth watching and all were in the 90's, he fell off a cliff afterwards because he wasn't competent in the ways that mattered for the movies he was making. I can name tons for Statham if you're specifically into silly 80/90's style action flicks, and that is absolutely the main draw of them all.
As an aside, during my elder-git stage of life I find women will sit and watch him too and can't say that about most big stars in dodgy fun movies.
Edit: Give Blood and Bone a watch, Michael Jai White if you want to really understand my point. I'm watching it now after seeing The Furious partially due to reading this thread.
