Few actors have achieved appreciation of Hugh Jackman. Since the 2000’s, Jackman has become an icon. Jackman’s greatest strength as an actor is his versatility. Whether it’s heroes, grieving fathers or magicians, Jackman has played several characters. Given the number of movies he has made, making a list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies made by an actor deserving to be celebrated.
1. Prisoners
Child abduction is a painful process that puts parents under stress. Years ago, my mother became anxious when she lost my brother in grocery stores which were humongous. I vividly remember the expression of terror on the face of my mother as she searched the store for my baby brother. Fearful that he had been abducted, she couldn’t cope with a situation leaving her emotionally affected. After hours of frantically searching the store, she was relieved when she finally found my brother. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture the horrors of child abduction as powerfully as “Prisoners”. Released in 2013, Hugh Jackman’s film did an extraordinary job of depicting child abduction on the big-screen. In the greatest role of his career, Hugh Jackman embodies despair of a parent whose child disappears out of thin air. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most demanding role. Jackman has always excelled at playing characters with a short temper using his powerful voice, and his strengths as an actor are evident in “Prisoners”. For instance, the scene in which Keller tortures Alex questioning where his daughter is represents the actor’s most emotional work. Ultimately, what makes “Prisoners” Hugh Jackman’s greatest movie is its meaningful message. The film delivers a powerful message about dangers posed by child abduction resonating with everyone. A dazzling depiction of the depression experienced by parents when children disappear out of thin air, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built an illustrious career playing compelling characters in movies about which audiences care.
2. Logan
Few superheroes seen with sharp claws on the big-screen are as celebrated as the Wolverine. I was first introduced to the superhero with sharp claws by a grandfather I grew up to treasure. Several years ago, I bonded with a grandfather that loved the superhero. A comic-book nerd, he loved a comic-book character that made him feel heard. However, aging brought our bond to a closure. After reaching an age of retirement, he lost interest in an icon in entertainment. As someone treasuring a grandfather that loved Wolverine with passion, I adored “Logan”. Released in 2016, Hugh Jackman’s magnificent comic-book masterpiece did an excellent job of bringing the hero’s journey to a satisfying conclusion. In his most emotional career role, Hugh Jackman embodied an aging hero facing heavy emotions causing his life to spiral out of control. If previous films in the franchise depicted the Wolverine as an invincible comic-book character, Jackman brought out an emotional side to the hero that audiences hadn’t seen in the past before. For instance, the scene in which Logan dies sacrificing himself to protect children is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Logan” the greatest Wolverine movie is its message. The film delivers a poignant message regarding consequences of aging resonating with everyone. A fantastic farewell to a character with sharp claws that changed the world forever, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing heroic characters whose timeless movies audiences treasure.
3. Les Miserables
It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway play on the big-screen. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always work in films. In order to make a successful adaptation, filmmakers must pay attention to the storytelling, music and characters of the original show. For these reasons, it’s rare to come across effective film adaptations of successful musicals. That being said, “Les Miserables” is an exception. Released in 2012, Hugh Jackman’s movie did a spectacular job of adapting a stage musical on the big-screen. In his first ever musical role, Hugh Jackman pours his heart and soul into a prisoner facing an emotional toll. Making the film posed challenges for actors such as singing melodies live on set without rehearsal. Jackman proved up to the challenge of live-singing. For instance, the opening musical number in which audiences are introduced to Jean Valjean showcases the actor’s strength for live singing. Ultimately, what makes “Les Miserables” one of Jackman’s best films is its message. It delivers a meaningful message about social injustice. A bold tribute to a Broadway play that blew audiences away, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives when given chance to sing whose movies deserve to be treasured today.
4. The Prestige
Double roles are tricky to pull off effectively in movies. It’s challenging for actors to play two characters at once in a movie. Playing two different characters in the same movie poses challenges for actors. Despite the challenges involved in playing a double role, Hugh Jackman pulled it off effectively when he made “The Prestige”. Released in 2006, Christopher Nolan’s prestigious film found the actor playing a double role of a magician performing magic tricks that are precious. In the most complex role of his career, Jackman embodies a talented magician with a flair for making people disappear. It’s a role that gives the actor an opportunity to showcase his talent for playing two people in one movie. For instance, the scene in which Angier is first introduced to his double in a bar showcases the actor’s strength for playing two people. Ultimately, what makes “The Prestige” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about deceit which is guaranteed to resonate with everyone. Despite being set during an old-fashioned time period of Victorian England, its themes of betrayal remain relevant today. A powerful portrait of prestigious magicians performing tricks that are dangerous, it’s a rousing reminder of a courageous actor that excels at playing devious characters whose timeless movies audiences consider precious.
5. Bad Education
When it comes to shocking school scandals in American history, it’s worth discussing the Roslyn District embezzlement. In 2004, New York’s Roslyn High School made headlines when it experienced a massive theft. A team of student news reporters discovered that superintendent Frank Tassone had stolen $2.2 million from the school’s funds. Not only did Tassone commit shocking fraud, but he used his facade to keep it a secret. In 2019, Hugh Jackman did an extraordinary job of depicting the scandal on the big-screen in his film “Bad Education. In the most comical role of his career, Jackman embodies a corrupt school principal in a scandal. It’s a villainous role marking a stark departure for an actor that has spent his career playing heroic characters. For instance, the scene in which Frank Tassone is interrogated by a student regarding criminal activities showcases the actor’s villainy. Ultimately, what makes “Bad Education” a great film is its message. It delivers a strong message about the corruption in education. Nearly 20 years after a shocking school scandal involving a corrupt principal, it’s a phenomenal reminder of an actor that thrives given opportunities to portray real-life people whose movies audiences consider special.
6. The Greatest Showman
Hugh Jackman has always been one of those actors that’s a great showman. Ever since he achieved stardom in stage musicals during the 1990’s, Jackman has always had talent for performing melodies. Jackman’s strength for being a great showman skilled at performing in stage musicals is clearly evident in his film “The Greatest Showman”. In the most showy role of his career, Jackman embodies a real-life entertainer with a gift for performing melodies. Jackman showcases his skills for singing, dancing and performing. It’s a phenomenal performance that pays tribute towards a great showman in American history. A touching tribute towards an entertaining showman with talent for performing, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing characters with strong showmanship whose movies are worth celebrating.
7. X-Men: Days of Future Past
Time travel is a complicated concept that isn’t easy to portray in movies. In order for any film about time travel to work, it needs to strike a fine balance between being entertaining and logical. It’s a tricky balance that most movies aren’t able to achieve. However, Hugh Jackman managed to pull it off successfully in “X-Men: Days of Future Past”. Released in 2014, Bryan Singer’s blockbuster found the actor travelling back in time on a mission involving danger. If previous films portrayed Wolverine as an invincible hero, “Days of Future Past” gave him chance to showcase the character’s vulnerability. 40 years following the introduction of a superhero with sharp claws seeking redemption, it’s an extraordinary tribute to a comic-book hero travelling back in time to prevent destruction whose stories are worthy of celebration.
8. The Fountain
One of the most common criticisms levelled against Hugh Jackman is that he doesn’t take any risks as an actor. Jackman has long built a reputation for playing stereotypical heroes in every movie. Closely associated with his heroic image of being the Wolverine, the actor has rarely ever taken on risky roles. However, in 2006 Jackman took audiences by surprise when he took a step out of his comfort zone making the film “The Fountain”. In the riskiest role of his career, Jackman embodies a man discovering his identity over the course of several years. Jackman showcases his skills of being a chameleon portraying multiple characters in one movie. A powerful portrayal of people questioning their existence, it’s a strong reminder of an actor with a strong presence that thrives taking risks in movies that challenge the audience.
9. X-Men
When it comes to the greatest comic-book heroes in history, it’s worth discussing the X-Men. Ever since their creation in the 1970’s, the X-Men have gained a huge fan following. In 2000, Hugh Jackman did an excellent job of bringing the superhero team to the big-screen for the first time in “X-Men”. A groundbreaking blockbuster, the film introduced a superhero team that changed the world forever. In his first ever outing as Wolverine, Hugh Jackman proved he was born to play a hero with claws on the big-screen. It’s a powerful performance that launched one of the most iconic superheroes in cinematic history. An exceptional introduction to an extraordinary superhero team with strong commitment, it’s an excellent reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to make timeless films that are precious entertainment.
10. Deadpool and Wolverine
The Wolverine has always been a comic-book hero that’s serious. Following creation in the 1970’s, Logan has always taken a serious attitude towards life. Due to atrocities he has seen in his traumatic past, there has rarely ever been any humour in the life of Wolverine. However, recently Hugh Jackman brought out a comical side to the Wolverine audiences hadn’t seen before in his film “Deadpool and Wolverine”. In his most recent turn as the comic-book character, Jackman brought a refreshing sense of humour. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase a comical side to his acting audiences have rarely seen in the past before. A wonderful tribute to the Wolverine, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to create strong heroes with sheen whose timeless movies I will always be keen to see on the big-screen.
The Film Buff 
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