Secret agents go by many names.
The following are ranked in descending order, from least to best.
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25.
Coburn gives Flint an easy charm, and hes highly effective in his combat scenes.
Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
In James CameronsTrue Lies(a remake of FrancesLa Totale!
Who else would think of riding a horse to the top of a skyscraper?
Mallory Kane Haywire (2011)
MMA fighter Gina Carano turned action hero in Steven SoderberghsHaywire.
Agents K and J Men in Black (1997-2012)
Theyre sci-fis most recognizable odd couple.
Watch The Rock on Amazon
17.
Watch License to Kill on Amazon
15.
Evelyn Salt Salt (2010)
Weve seenAngelina Jolieappear in action films before (seeTomb RaiderandMr.
& Mrs. Smith), but shes superbly poker-faced as the enigmatic Evelyn Salt.
We know shes some kind of spy, but whose side is she on: the U.S. or Russias?
And all of thats what makes her so compelling to watch.
Watch Kingsman: The Secret Service on Amazon
12.
With many plot points seemingly taken directly fromDr.
No,Enter The Dragoncould have been the start of a Bond-like martial arts spy franchise for Lee.
Tragically, the star died on July 20, 1973 just six days beforeEnter The Dragonappeared in theaters.
Watch The Hunt for Red October on Amazon
10.
Im not a field agent, he protests down the phone to his superiors at the CIA.
I just read books!
In a film pregnant with paranoia and the constant threat of danger, Redfords on career-best form here.
Watch Three Days of the Condor on Amazon
7.
Her performance brings grit and humor to director Luc Bessons glossy action.
A superbly drawn character, her inner-strength is offset by her capacity for drink.
Indeed Alicia is one of the earliestand still most interestingsecret agents in film.
Hes a noble character whose face is lined with a subtle yet profound undercurrent of regret.
Just look at the scene Smiley shares with Benedict Cumberbatchs Peter Guillam.
We both spend our lives looking for the weaknesses in one anothers systems, he observes, ruefully.
Deservingly, Oldman was nominated for an Academy Award for his outstanding turn here.
Watch Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on Amazon
2.
So much of Palmers character goes against the grain of the typical 60s spy.
As Nigel Greens upper-crust Major Dalby puts it, Youre just too hot, Palmer.
James Bond (1962-)
Shaken but not stirred, often imitated but never bettered.
Since his big screen debut inDr.
Watch Dr. No on Amazon
This article was first published on Aug. 28, 2015.
