by Muthasucka » Tue Dec 17, 2013 5:12 pm
I tend put these actors/performances into categories:
1) Transcendant:
Heath Ledger, The Joker, "The Dark Knight"
He not only transformed himself and lost himself in the role, and made it totally his own and unique, but he was absolutely mesmerizing every moment he was on screen. Easily the best Comic Book performance and totally deserving of an Oscar. Amazing.
2) Definitive:
Christopher Reeve, Superman/Clark Kent, "Superman The Movie"
He WAS Superman in that movie, he perfectly personified his calm demeanor and his aloof superiority without being boring or condescending. And the scream when Lois dies still gives me chills. His Clark is totally brilliant as well, and he made it (almost) totally believable that no one would figure out he was Superman. Really captured the Golden Age Superman who got a laugh out of fooling people with the few times he lets the audience know they're in on the joke.
Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man/Tony Stark, "Iron Man"
While not a transformative performance, he totally owned this and made the character his own, or, rather, made the character HIM. Like Reeve, it'll be hard to imagine anyone else in the role. Completely enjoyable and charming depiction through and through.
3) Exceptional:
Now we get into the larger groups. This one is for great, standout performances that either nailed the characters or lifted the quality of the film due to their presence.
Gary Oldman, Jim Gordon; Tom Hiddleston, Loki; Michelle Pfeiffer, Catwoman/Selina Kyle; Chris Evans, Captain America/Steve Rogers; Hugh Jackman, Wolverine/Logan; Ian McKellan, Magneto/Eric Lensherr; Ron Perlman, Hellboy; Jackie Earle Haley, Rorschach/Walter Kovacks.
4) Solid:
This category is for good, solid performances that, while not necessary standouts, help to anchor their respective movies and sell the believability.
Christian Bale, Batman/Bruce Wayne; Chris Hemsworth, Thor; Anne Hathaway, Selina Kyle; Patrick Stewart, Professor X; Clark Gregg, Agent Coulson; Gene Hackman, Lex Luthor; Tom Hardy, Bane; Liam Neeson, Ra's al Ghul; Henry Cavill, Superman/Clark Kent; Diane Lane, Martha Kent; Morgan Freeman, Lucius Fox; Michael Fassbender, Magneto/Eric Lensherr; Anthony Hopkins, Odin; Gwynneth Paltrow, Pepper Potts; Tommy Lee Jones, Colonel Phillips; Glenn Ford, Jonathan Kent.
Special Mention - Great performances in terrible movies!
Mark Strong, Sinestro, "Green Lantern"; Jon Favreau, Foggy Nelson, "Daredevil."