Characteristics of a good action movie:

Explosion
Getting something to work that hasn't worked in years
Driving a sporty car
Having a timer that goes "ER ER ER" loudly
Making a crazy never in a million years shot with a gun
Winning ageist an outrageous number of people when you only have a few
When all hope is lost somehow have a miraculous way to survive
Go out of the original country at least once
Chicks
Swimming of any nature
Surviving things that the enemy cant


Bonus:

Ambush
The enemy surrenders unexpectedly turning around and find that you are backed by lot of people
Fight seen on a rooftop or tower
Exploding car
Anything involving a boat or train or helicopter
Anyone jump off roof or through a window
One of main characters die
Something falling off of a cliff ... ANYTHING