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Back away from the grill, put down the Bud Heavy, and turn on some classic onscreen nationalism to accompany your July 4th weekend celebrations. In honor of remembrance of our independence from Great Britain, we’ve rounded up the most badass American characters on film including those based on real-life soldiers. Some old, some new to VOD and streaming; it’s a meld of drama, heart-stopping action thrillers and, yes, there are a few featured characters who made us stand up and cheer despite the grim circumstances. Without further ado, here are ten badass Americans on streaming listed in order of just how much they love the good old U.S. of A.
DIRECTOR: Peter Berg
HEROIC PATRIOT: Mark Wahlberg as Marcus Luttrell, who in real life was left stranded with his team amidst a mission to kill Taliban leader Ahmad Shah.
[Where to stream Lone Survivor]Photo: Everett Collection
DIRECTOR: Wolfgang Petersen
HEROIC PATRIOT: Harrison Ford as President of the United States, James Marshall, who's forced to revisit his army training to outsmart hijackers who have taken over his jet.
[Where to stream Air Force One]Photo: Everett Collection
DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott
HEROIC PATRIOT: Demi Moore combats terrorism and sexism as Lieutenant Jordan O'Neill, a tough-as-nails Navy SEAL trainee who will do anything to prove her harshest critics wrong.
[Where to stream G.I. Jane]Photo: Everett Collection
DIRECTOR: Clint Eastwood
HEROIC PATRIOT: Bradley Cooper as the deadliest sniper in American history, Chris Kyle. Director Eastwood is no stranger to political narratives as well, directing both Flags of Our Fathers as well as Letters From Iwo Jima.
[Where to stream American Sniper] Photo: Everett Collection
DIRECTOR: Joe Johnston
HEROIC PATRIOT: After ingesting a dose of Super Soldier Serum, ordinary military man Steve Rodgers attains superhero status to defend his country against terrorist evils.
[Where to stream Captain America: The First Avenger]Photo: Everett Collection
DIRECTOR: Kathryn Bigelow
HEROIC PATRIOT: Jeremy Renner as Sergeant First Class William James: a soldier with a calling for dismantling bombs.
[Where to stream The Hurt Locker]Photo: Everett Collection
CREATOR: William M. Marston, Stanley Ralph Ross
HEROIC PATRIOT: Lynda Carter as male fantasy and feminist hero, Wonder Woman, who, despite, her not being American at all, dedicated her life to protecting the fifty states. Now bow down.
[Where to stream Top Gun]Photo: Everett Collection
DIRECTOR: Michael Cimino
HEROIC PATRIOT: Robert De Niro stars in this Vietnam War drama about the brutal affects the fighting overseas has here at home. Also starring Christopher Walken in his Oscar-winning role and Meryl Streep.
[Where to stream Top Gun]Photo: Everett Collection
DIRECTOR: Sylvester Stallone
HEROIC PATRIOT: Sly himself ignited a fire of cinematic nationalism when the fourth installment of his iconic Rocky franchise hit theaters when the icy tensions of the Cold War were thicker than ever. But an onscreen victory against the Soviets set to a Survivor soundtrack was just enough patriotic incentive to boost national morale.
[Where to stream Rocky IV]Photo: Everett Collection
DIRECTOR: Tony Scott
HEROIC PATRIOT: Tom Cruise as Maverick, an outspoken Navy fighter pilot who shakes things up at the academy.
[Where to stream Top Gun]Photo: Everett Collection
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