Bear in mind that this list contains the opinions of only one passionate movie follower. It is by no means absolute. So, if you agree/disagree then please add your own comments to the form.

25. Ray Quirk vs The Number 5 Bus-

"The Specialist"

In terms of developing the plot of the movie this scene was utterly pointless, but who cares? As ever, Sly Stallone plays the nice guy with muscles, and kindly gives up his seat to a pregnant lady who is left standing- bless him- but along comes some inconsiderate goon to jump in the seat to the astonishment of surrounding passengers. You can guess what happens next...

24. Dutch vs The Predator-

"Predator"

If it bleeds, Arnie will kill it. In this, possibly his toughest challenge yet, he does battle with an outer space warrior who likes to skin his victims alive, and save the skulls to show his brothers and sisters back home. It's safe to say this isn't a routine victory for Arnie, who is picked up by the throat, tossed around like a rag doll, and beaten senseless for a majority of the fight. A classic man vs monster spectacle, which notches up another victory for the human race. Right on!

23. Joe Hallenbeck vs Some Cocky Moron-

"The Last Boy Scout"

In this hilarious scene, Hallenbeck (Bruce Willis) has been captured by the mob and asks for a cigarette. He gets his wish, but is takes a couple of knocks to the jaw for his trouble. He kindly warns the guy "If you touch me again I'll kill you." But does he listen?

22. Mickey O'Neill vs Good Night Anderson- "Snatch"

"One Punch Mickey" has been given orders not to knock out his opponent and throw the fight, or feel the wrath of "Brick Top".

21. John Spartan vs Simon Phoenix-

"Demolition Man"

In the year 2032 violence and crime is virtually unheard of. Fortunately for us, Wesley Snipes and Sylvester Stallone, who were both cryonically frozen in prison, are woken up and begin to slug it out in an epic final battle which leaves Phoenix (Snipes) decapitated. Awesome.

20. Trevalyan/006 vs James Bond/007-

"Goldeneye"

In easily my favourite Bond film, Trevalyan (Sean Bean) does battle with 007 (Pierce Brosnon) with both men having personal scores to settle. Oooo you can feel the tension. For England James?

19. Tyler Durden vs Narrator-

"Fight Club"

I was always confused to how a person with a split personality could pull himself along the floor with his own hair. Anyways, the final scene where the film's unnamed protagonist (Ed Norton) brutally kicks the crap out of "himself" is still pretty awesome. If you haven't seen Fight Club where the hell have you been?

18. Daniel LaRusso vs Johnny Lawrence-

"The Karate Kid"

Who hasn't tried the crane kick? Daniel, barely able to stand, takes it Johnny and wins the all valley karate championship, even gaining respect from his opponent. Of course, all the credit should go to his mentor Mr Miyagi. What a legend.

17. Maximus Decimus Meridius vs Commodus- "Gladiator"

Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife; and he will have his vengeance. The so called "slave" Maximus (Russell Crowe) is trained with formidable combat skills, which lead to his rise in popularity with Rome's blood thirsty audience, and the eventual overhaul of the ruthless emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix)

16. Frank Leone vs Gateway Prison Guards-

"Lock Up"

A man can only be pushed so far until he reaches breaking point. One night a stranger in a wheelchair visits Leone's cell and informs him that the Warden made a deal to reduce his jail time, and in exchange, this stranger will rape his girlfriend Melissa. Not taking this too well, Leone goes berserk and tries to escape, but is soon captured by the guards. It's 3 on 1 but he still comes out on top. Let's not forget the classic line "Rape This!" preceding a blow to the family jewels. Gets me fired up every time.

15. T-800 vs T-1000-

"Terminator 2: Judgement Day"

In short, but brilliant scene, John Connor's protector and killer first meet at the Galleria. They proceed to shoot each other senseless and smash up the decor. Why use humans when you can use robots. Sorry, I mean "Cybernetic Organisms".

14 John Rambo vs Some Dude in Thailand-

"Rambo III"

The rest of the movie wasn't much cop, but shortly after the opening credits Rambo ignites our screens with an explosive stick fight. Why use fists?

13. Bruce Lee vs Bob Wall-

"Enter The Dragon"

In this one sided contest Bruce Lee straight up owns his opponent. Watch him dance.

12. Jake LaMotta vs Sugar Ray Robinson-

"Raging Bull"

The biography of real life boxer Jake LaMotta boasts that he was never knocked down once. Here, the brutal fighter is played by Robert De Niro and takes the beating of his life from his most famous opponent Sugar Ray Robinson. And still he stands.

11. Chun Li vs Vega- "Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie"

Not to be confused with that crock of shit live action adaptation starring Van Damme, this brilliant animated movie stays true to its video game roots, and has some of the best fight scenes in anime history that I've witnessed. Watch in awe.

10. Gino Felino vs Everyone-

"Out For Justice"

Before Steven Seagal piled on the pounds and started playing the guitar he went into American bars and kicked everyone's arses just for the hell of it. The pick of his fights comes when he is on the search of Richie Madano, who foolessly shot his cop friend in broad daylight. He walks into a bar, asks a few questions, slaps a few people around, and even breaks jaws with a pool ball in a hanky. Hilarious.

9. Tang Lung vs Colt -

"Way of the Dragon"

Aside from the very disturbing moment when Chuck Norris strips down to reveal his insanely hairy chest, this is a must see.

Lung (Bruce Lee) is matched all the way, but eventually defeats Colt, who is then covered with his white gi to represent respect and admiration. A good fight gentlemen. Next time bring the wax.

8. Rocky Balboa vs Tommy Gunn-

"Rocky V"

Ok, this one is going to cause some controversy. I could have quite easily included every one of the fights from films I-VI but I've selected this one because it sees Rocky with his classic "street fighter" persona. He came from the gutter and, due to bankruptcy, he ends up back there, taking under his wing the up and coming fighter Tommy Gunn. When Tommy dumps his mentor and sells out; thus failing to gain respect from the fans he goes hunting for Balboa and challenges him to a fight. Reluctant at first, Rocky walks back to the bar, only for Paulie to get a crack to the jaw for getting involved. "You knocked him down now why don't you try knocking me down now?" says Rocky. Into the alley they go. Completely unrealistic, but I still love it. Nothing like seeing a guy with a mullet get his arse kicked by a down-on-his-luck-snow-white-underdog.

7. John Matrix vs Bennett-

"Commando"

In quite probably the most over the top action movie in cinema history, Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken out the entire world's army and is now one on one with a guy who wants to "shoot him in the balls." On the contrary, Arnold would prefer if he "stuck a knife in him." It all gets a bit homoerotic in the end, but you still got to love it.

6. Raphael vs Leonardo-

"TMNT"

Despite its critics, I loved the new Turtles movie, and I'm not even that fond of CGI. In this brilliant scene, Raphael has had enough of Leonardo being the big leader of the Turtles clan and sticks it to him. The animation is wonderful, and its great for nostalgia seeing two classic cartoon characters slog it out in a contemporary form. There ain't no room for grown men in Jim Henson suits here; the turtles have an edge, and are as cool as ever.

5. Sean Archer vs Castor Troy-

"Face/Off"

One of the most insane action movies ever made. Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) has been relentlessly pursued by FBI agent Sean Archer for years after the execution of his son. Troy is arrested, but has been knocked into a coma, and things get messy when the FBI discover his briefcase and the plans to blow up Los Angeles. Archer must assume the physical appearance of his sworn enemy and find out the location of the bomb by interrogating Troy's brother in prison. Unfortunately, Troy then wakes up from his coma and foils Archer's plan; this all results in a spectacular final cat and mouse chase scene that ends up on the beach, where Archer (who is really Troy) and Troy (who is really Archer) beat the living crap out of each other. You get me?

4. Ellen Ripley vs The Alien Queen -

"Aliens"

All be it with the aid of a cargo loader, Ripley had some balls taking on the queen of the alien nest. Even with a squad of trained marines getting their arses kicked beyond belief, and the previous experience of the Alien taking over her ship, she wasn't bothered. In this, one of the most intense and accomplished science fiction films ever made, the female heroine and the alien end up tumbling into a large airlock, which Ripley then opens, expelling the queen into space. Not bad for a woman eh?

3. Nick DiMarco & Kristi Jones vs Stingray-

"Undeletable"

Regrettably, I am yet to see the entirety of this film, but this heavily overracted and deliberately stereotypical (well at least I think it is) fight scene was brought to my attention via the internet. Some dude named "Stingray" licks his knife and does battle with a police officer, and then this chick gets involved. Its all pretty ridiculous, but I loved every minute of it.

2. Rocky Balboa vs The USSR-

"Rocky IV"

In another ridiculously over the top fight scene, The Italian Stallion manages to overcome superhuman strength of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), and the entire country of Russia to defeat Communism once and for all. It's all very American, and all very patriotic, and the ranks easily at the top of many people's guilty pleasures list for entertainment value.

1. Martin Riggs vs Mr. Joshua-

"Lethal Weapon"

Even after all these years I am yet to see a better man-on-man fist fight than this hardcore encounter on Detective Murtaugh's front lawn. Mel Gibson and Gary Busey go at it like animals while the police crowd around and watch; there's everything from dropkicks, headlocks, elbows, headbutts, poles to the face; this is how fight scenes should be done.

Whilst choosing to disregard anything to do with the “Newborn” creature and “Ripley 8” in Alien Resurrection as being a worthy addition to the franchise, and its attempt to outline a bond between human and Xenomorph; I prefer to investigate the connection between antagonist and protagonist beginning with the first movie.

H.R. Giger's refinement of the surreal Necronom IV lithograph, with the help of director Ridley Scott, portrayed the beauty and sexual overtones of the creature within the first film. It's loud hissing, provocative grin, and drooling fluids, had significant cultural impact upon its human predecessors.

Ripley's personal encounters with the alien, particularly towards the climax of the first movie, are almost erotic in places. As the viewer sees the protagonist strip down to her underwear, it is at that moment that the seemingly neglected alien creature springs out of hiding to intimidate Ripley further. The slow building tension between the female human and Xenomorph during this scene are evident when Ripley's respiratory levels increase, and her violent screams result from the advance off the alien towards her.

The alien's combination of sexually evocative physical and behavioral characteristics are guilty of being seductive when in the presence of the human being. Indeed, much of the Alien's looks and life cycle can be seen as a perverse sexual metaphor. The snapping metallic teeth are almost like the castrating vagina dentata, according to critic Ximena Gollardo, and are deliberate in design for creating an organic killing machine.

During the famous scene, where the chestburster explodes through Kane's ribcage on Nostromo, there is a distinct connection between sex and death. On first contact with the species, Kane had been subdued and made pregnant by the facehugger from the egg, and later on the embryo had developed and escaped via its host. It is a nightmare for the viewer to see the male gender desemated via the birth of another species in such a fashion. Indeed, when the ovomorph succeeded in planting the embryo, it was via the method of sexual assault.

Undoubtably, there is a blurring of human sexual dichotomy here. At the time Alien was released, Sigourney Weaver, who played Ripley, was a little known actress, and it was somewhat surprising for a film audience to see such a horrifying plot develop, with Ripley being the last remaining (female) character. Contrasting to Dallas, who was the more familiar lead role of the film, yet becomes one of the early captures of the Xenomorph along with Kane; then is later seen cocooned and helpess, being used as a host for the implantation process within the nest of the alien.

In this sense Ripley's role is challenging the ideology of gender stereotypes: she is the only (female) survivor of the Nostromo crew, and overhauls the threat of the Xenomorph and its propagation, ultimately by herself.

The breakthrough feminist themes about women in combat made Sigourney Weaver a cinematic icon. The “Female Action Hero” was a rare title given to actresses in the days of Alien, and it wasn't till the reprisal of Sarah Connor in Terminator 2, that Ellen Ripley had any serious (human) competition.

The Iconic lone figure with a flame-thrower has been accepted and celebrated as pure cinematic magic, where Ripley, the heroine, triumphs over the alien species. Her strength and will to carry on through the suffering of her deceased crew makes her worthwhile to the female gender, yet truly iconic to the human race.

Furthermore, Ripley's character role is made significant by challenging the ideals of science with a human angle: it is her common sense, emotion, and will to survive that relates her to the best of us.

If only the crew would've listened to Ripley citing quarantine protocol; there would have been no knowledge of the extraterrestrial life form, and humanity would be safe from its threat (at least for the time being). Her attempts at persuading Science Office Ash and Dallas to get rid of the facehugger were also blatantly ignored.
The casting of Jones, the cat, is notable for influencing further Ripley's personality on screen. Despite being stalked by the alien, and with the self-destruct sequence of Nostromo rapidly counting down, Ripley is still desperate to get Jones out of there, under her wing, safely, after the crew has been completely diminished.

It is such characteristics that allow Ripley's role to overshadow even that of the alien, which is quite extraordinary, especially given that the title of the movie refers to the antagonist. Although the alien is most certainly billed as the “Perfect Organism”, leaving the audience intrigued to find out more about this highly aggressive, unfamiliar, extraterrestrial life form, it is the story of Ellen Ripley that keeps faith in human existence, and inspires further installments of the franchise.

Admittedly, I've had numerous nightmares of the chestburster ripping through my own rib cage, and I remain quite cynical when I hear about humanity's attempts to explore other species in space. I'm not paranoid (much), but you have to remember that “Science-Fiction” is an oxymoron, and a contradiction within itself.

Giger's obscene; insectoid form was not a result of evolution, but deliberate design. The vaguely human features of the Xenomorph, with its skeletal, biomechanical appearance, may well be the most perfectly formed organism we've have ever seen. Its erotic nature of reproduction- "an interspecies rape" according to O'Bannon -has haunted audiences for years, whilst the term "We are not alone" has rung through many of our minds.
Ripley not only installs pride within women, but gives faith to the whole of humanity's explorations, on film. In fact, it isn't till the 3rd instalment in the franchise that we learn Ripley has finally been “caught'”, and impregnated by the aliens; even then she was asleep when the attack took place.

Ripley fully deserves her rank as the 8th greatest hero in American Cinema History, at the very least; while Scott's Alien masterpiece must remain as one of the most significant sci-fi films of all time; with the award for the most grotesque surrealist artist going to H.R. Giger. Undoubtedly.