Help settle a debate for me? Is Will Smith a "great" actor? - Page 2

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Help settle a debate for me? Is Will Smith a "great" actor? (Page 2 of 4)

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:10:28 PM EDT

[#1]

Will Smith is great at acting...like Will Smith.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:10:49 PM EDT

[#2]

I liked him in I, Robot. Other than that, meh.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:11:40 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
No, he plays Will Smith in every movie.

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This. Sort of like Madonna, who plays a mouthy slut in every movie she ever appeared in.

A method actor, I guess.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:12:45 PM EDT

[#4]

He's no Denzel Washington but still a good actor.

The Pursuit of Happiness set him apart from being a mediocre actor IMHO.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:13:06 PM EDT

[#5]

Big Willie style.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:13:25 PM EDT

[#6]

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Quoted:

john wayne was another excellent performer who was also a mediocre actor.

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That's the advantage of playing an action hero. Clint has been similar that way.

Wayne was very good in some movies, but he always played to type.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:16:41 PM EDT

[#7]

How do you find Wil Smith in a blizzard?

Look for the fresh prince.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:19:19 PM EDT

[#8]

I think he is a good actor and entertainer.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:21:23 PM EDT

[#9]

He is a black version of Nicolas Cage. If he wasn't black he'd receive the same ridicule and criticism for the same reasons. Will Smith is a perfect example of liberal racism through lowered expectations.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:21:40 PM EDT

[#10]

Hard for me to say, as I haven't seen much beyone the MIB movies. Does he measure up? Dunno. Can't say.

However, here's an example of some Great Actors.
Here's my metric...Opposite sides of a coin:

Is It Safe? - Marathon Man (4/8) Movie CLIP (1976) HD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzw1_2b-I7A

Laurence Olivier Finds Out Gregory Peck's Evil Masterplan (The Boys From Brazil)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGV4habr-DY

hint. hint.

BTW, these two movies make for a great double feature. These days, most people have never seen either of them.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:27:12 PM EDT

[#11]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSKyaXkzVvc

This is a pretty defining scene for him. I think he is a pretty good actor.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:27:45 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
He is an entertaining actor - but he is not a "great" actor.

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My first thought too.
He is throughly enjoyable in roles that fit him.
"Great" is a tall order to fill.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:27:54 PM EDT

[#13]

Fuck that guy.

Nobody remembers he wants to cleanse America of Trump supporters?

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:44:11 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
No, he plays Will Smith in every movie.

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Posted: 1/11/2017 9:48:48 PM EDT

[#15]

'Great'? I don't think I'd classify him as 'Great' I like several of his movies - Independence Day, MIB, I Robot, Enemy of the State, but I don't necessarily think a few decent movies earns 'Great'.

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:51:34 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
No, he plays Will Smith in every movie.

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Exactly, most of his best movies he just plays himself, just like he did in fresh prince. He's had a couple that were good that were outside of his normal personal, 7 pounds comes to mind along with pursuit of happiness, but beyond that it's just the same "black dude with well timed one liners" that he always plays

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:04:08 PM EDT

[#17]

Not even top 25

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:10:02 PM EDT

[#18]

He's peanut butter.

I like peanut butter, and will eat it when nothing better is available.

He is like schwarzenegger and dozens of others of our time. They are themselves playing whatever the character they are hired to portray.

But an ACKtorrrrr?

Nope.

Very few people take the craft seriously.

Most actors are pushing their brand. Very few try to breathe life into a character, putting the character first.

It's more an indictment of the industry. Not long ago, there were scripts, and you followed them exactly. To the second. And memorized them.

Now, the director says, you're here, by the end of the scene, I want you here in the story, put your spin on it.

(shrugs)

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:20:56 PM EDT

[#19]

Is he a great actor....no. Liked him in Independence Day and Legend. Two decent movies does not make one great.

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:37:24 PM EDT

[#20]

He can't be a great actor. His last 10+ roles have been terrible. He made a lot of money and started to think he was special. He has since made bomb after bomb, trying to avoid getting typecast as a jovial action star.

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:42:25 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
No, he plays Will Smith in every movie.

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Like Matt Damon.

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:44:32 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
No, he plays Will Smith in every movie.

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This.. Its always the same guy.

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:44:51 PM EDT

[#23]

Hell 'naw.

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:44:55 PM EDT

[#24]

He is a hack and fucks up many movies.

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:51:39 PM EDT

[#25]

I like will smith, he's not a great actor but he is entertaining

just based on what you see on the internet I don't think he's a very good parent.
really, you seen his son lately? freakshow!

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:57:29 PM EDT

[#26]

Good and funny.

Great?

No.

And was in much higher personal regard until he interjected himself into politics.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:00:11 PM EDT

[#27]

He's a pop star. He's in a bunch of movies because he's "cool" and his presence in a film draws an audience.

Will Smith has no breadth in his trade. He only ever plays as himself.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:07:26 PM EDT

[#28]

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The Pursuit of Happiness was a phenomenal movie

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I think that's his best movie...

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:08:06 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
He is good in some movies and worthless in other roles. But he is not a "great" actor by any stretch of the imagination.

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This.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:13:05 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hell 'naw.

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Posted: 1/11/2017 11:14:44 PM EDT

[#31]

I thought he was pretty good in Ali.
I like most of his movies for entertainment. His last few have been turds though.

So who do you guys consider a great actor?

I'd probably Tom Hanks is one.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:16:22 PM EDT

[#32]

I enjoy many of his movies. Like others have said, he fits a certain mold and plays it well. MIB, Independence Day, Wild West, and I Robot are virtually the same character. Him going out of the mold is hit and miss.

Entertaining? Yeah. Great? I don't think so.

Daniel Day-Lewis is an example of greatness.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:17:35 PM EDT

[#33]

No...

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:18:54 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
He's a pop star. He's in a bunch of movies because he's "cool" and his presence in a film draws an audience.

Will Smith has no breadth in his trade. He only ever plays as himself.

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If I got paid that much to be myself in front of a camera, I would never change either.

I don't think much of his acting either... but it's hard to argue with success.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:19:26 PM EDT

[#35]

I've liked his roles in most of his movies.

Apparently he's an idiot from recent commentary, however.
Just like 90% of his peers.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:21:42 PM EDT

[#36]

He's alright, I'd say average besides there's some shitty actors out there. Duvall, Oldman, D. Washington even Tommy Lee Jones are better actors. I'd say it has to do with the role; Indepedance Day was IMO the pinnacle for him but honestly I haven't seen him do a good job in anything since. The movie with his son was awful, he was passable in the Zombie flick and was pretty good in Bagger Vance but I believe he's on the down-swing from a career point of view.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:24:17 PM EDT

[#37]

No. That son of a bitch still owes me $20 for watching this turd.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:25:45 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
No, he plays Will Smith in every movie.

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This.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:26:52 PM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yes yes and yes. Excellent in this role. Also

Men in Black - great
Fresh Prince - come on...we all loved that show
Independence Day - Beast Mode!!!
Hitch - great movie
I am Legend - great flick
I am Robot - another great flick
After Earth - awful
Wild Wild West - not good but he was alright.
Bad Boys - just no. Too predictable. Too fake.

The Seven pounds movie was painful. Have not seen Concussion yet so will reserve judgement.

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I kind of enjoyed it, Smithy did a fairly ok job stepping outside of the normal smith role. I got into the whole whistle blower V. corp. shit heels.

If you want painful "take a knee" and try to sit through After Earth.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:34:02 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
No, he plays Will Smith in every movie.

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Posted: 1/11/2017 11:39:47 PM EDT

[#41]

Xenu and L Ron Hubbard the famous rocket car racer from the Markab Confederacy say that he's the greatest actor who ever lived.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:39:54 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:

Edward Norton. Same thing.

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Ed Norton, in my book is seriously good.

Primal Fear? Damn good.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:50:52 PM EDT

[#43]

A+ doush. A grade. Cannot stand him. Hate most movies he has been in. Thought I am Legend was overrated.

Not even good.

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:59:29 PM EDT

[#44]

I used to think Will Smith was at least entertaining if nothing else. But then, I watched the soup sandwich that is After Earth.

Spoiler alert, it fucking sucks and is painful to watch.

Posted: 1/12/2017 12:01:29 AM EDT

[#45]

Focus, Ali and Pursuit of Happyness. He does have a broader range than people usually give him credit for.

I didn't even realize it was him in Concussion at first.

Posted: 1/12/2017 12:31:19 AM EDT

[#46]

I like Will Smith, good on him for turning the Fresh Prince gig into a successful career, but he's not a great actor. I Am Legend is probably my favorite movie with him.

Posted: 1/12/2017 1:44:55 AM EDT

[#47]

Smith is two notches below Cruise

Posted: 1/12/2017 1:46:17 AM EDT

[#48]

Will Shatner > Will Smith

Posted: 1/12/2017 5:50:53 AM EDT

[#49]

Quote History

Quoted:

It's more an indictment of the industry. Not long ago, there were scripts, and you followed them exactly. To the second. And memorized them.

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That's simply not true. Sometimes actors will find themselves more in tune with the character than the scriptwriter - which is understandable when you remember that the actor is breathing life into the words.

In fact, plenty of classic lines from films were ad-libbed. The reason they stand out is because they capture an honest reaction from someone who is letting the character talk.

Jaws? "You're gonna need a bigger boat." Ad lib.
Think of a line from Casablanca. "Here's looking at you, kid." Ad lib.
A Few Good Men? "You can't handle the truth!" Ad lib (well, adaptation) and more accurate to the character than the scripted line.
Aliens? "Game over, man, game over!" Ad lib.

And what do you mean by "not long ago?" Orson Welles was going off-script back in the 40's.

It's true that some directors just turn on the camera and let the actor go with it. De Niro's mirror scene in Taxi Driver - which became a very powerful essay into the character - was completely improvised.

Also, there are some people that are best left to their own devices. Robin Williams almost always played Robin Williams, but if you want to piss yourself laughing that's exactly what you want