The porno theatre mishap. The mirror pep talk. The mohawk. Martin Scorsese's grimy look at street-level scum and mental instability was all foreplay for this climactic showdown between De Niro's twitchy taxi driver and Harvey Keitel's pimp. The clincher? No bullets left for Bickle to finish himself off. Damn it.
29. "BRAVO!"
FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE (1965)
"When the chimes end, pick up your gun," says fugitive El Indio to Lee Van Cleef's bounty hunter. "Try and shoot me Colonel. Just try." A protracted stare-off ensues, with both men waiting for the final chimes of the pocketwatch to die before the slinging of guns can commence and the Morricone score continues.
28. "I PROMISE I WILL NOT KILL ANYONE"
TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY (1991)
How to bring back your iconic robo-killer after his death in your first film? Not a problem with a time-travel movie - Arnie returns in T2, now as a gun-toting protector of the saviour of mankind. He's not allowed to kill, but that doesn't mean he can't have fun.
27. THE FOUNTAIN OF DEATH
THE WAY OF THE GUN (2000)
Call your movie The Way Of The Gun and you'd better make damn sure you have a gunfight to be proud of. Benicio del Toro and erstwhile pussy Ryan Phillippe deliver the goods, squaring off against multiple foes in a dusty courtyard. Hint: don't swim in the fountain. It sucks.
26. WALKING ON BROKEN GLASS
DIE HARD (1988)
Shoeless, shirtless and hopeless, everyman John McClane finds himself holding the shitty end of the stick when he gets involved in a hostile takeover at Nakatomi Plaza. Sure, Hans Gruber's goons have the firepower, but he's got the smarts - and the better catchphrase.
25. THROWN IN AT THE DEEP END
NIKITA (1990)
Order to go, madam? Convicted felon-turned-assassin Nikita (Anne Parillaud) is betrayed by her new employers, finding her post-hit escape route blocked by a brick wall. The only way out? The way with all the guns and the shooting and the bullets and the dried spaghetti. Shit.
24. STAIRCASE SHOOTOUT
THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987)
A scene referencing '20s arthouse picture Battleship Potemkin - a film with a distinct lack of gunfights and car-chases, it has to be said - the legendary 'Odessa Steps' sequence throws a runaway baby slap-bang in the middle of a heady cordite cocktail. My baby, my baby!
23. THE FUNTOUCHABLES
NAKED GUN 33 1/3 (1994)
This Untouchables spoof beats out the original in sheer silliness. Lt. Frank Drebin and colleagues (including OJ Simpson - gulp) prepare an ambush on a crime boss but must also cope with the President, the Pope and disgruntled postal workers. Oh, and not one, but FOUR runaway babies.
22. CRUISIN' FOR A BRUISIN'
COLLATERAL (2004)
Tom Cruise makes a shockingly good bad guy as silver fox Vincent, who drags Jamie Foxx's cabbie around a gloomy LA as he pops caps in various asses. This pulsating nightclub hit is the undeniable highlight of the night, complete with a blind-sided character death at the close.
21. MOTEL MASSACRE
TRUE ROMANCE (1993)
It wouldn't be a Quentin Tarantino film if there wasn't a scene with tough talking guys trading barbed insults and pockets of lead, and True Romance doesn't disappoint. This motel room showdown at the movie's climax packs one hell of a punch, but ultimately gives wounded Clarence and Alamaba the all-clear to raise their mini-Elvis.
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