Not many actors have made movies audiences treasure like Jeremy Renner. Since the 2000’s, Renner has become a beloved icon. Whether its war soldiers, bank robbers or alien astronomers, Renner has portrayed many strong characters. Given the sheer number of films that he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Hurt Locker
War movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with an uncle that loved movies about soldiers with courage. Fascinated with WWII, he was always interested in the hardships that veterans went through. My uncle always sought to educate my family about historic wars that he has grown to appreciate. He believed movies were an art that could never capture historic wars which tore lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture warfare disaster as powerfully as “The Hurt Locker”. Ever since its release in 2009, Jeremy Renner’s Oscar-winning movie has stood the test of time as one of the greatest war films ever made. In the greatest role of his career, Renner embodies a tormented soldier embarking on a journey to confront warfare that becomes a burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Renner has spent most of his career playing action heroes with strong personalities. With “The Hurt Locker”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone playing a disturbed war veteran. For instance, the scene in which Sergeant James is given the intense task of handling bombs in the Iraq War causing despair is one of the most memorable moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Hurt Locker” Jeremy Renner’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the trauma faced by war veterans which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most war movies, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 20 years after a devastating war in which courageous soldiers sacrificed their lives to detonate bombs facing consequences that were challenging, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose timeless movies are worth celebrating.
2. Arrival
Alien invasions are frightening disasters that have always fascinated my mother. At an early age, I developed a strong bond with a mother that had lifelong fear of alien invasions causing damage. I vividly remember a mother that was scared of aliens causing disaster. She feared the day when the Earth would be invaded by aliens with a price to pay. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that was frightened by the arrival of aliens, I adored “Arrival”. Released in 2016, Jeremy Renner’s science-fiction movie captured an alien invasion causing catastrophe. In the most thoughtful role of his career, Renner embodies an intelligent scientist communicating with aliens causing the world to face despair. Renner has always had an aptitude for conveying emotions through expressions without speaking a word, and “Arrival” showcased his strengths as a performer. Working alongside Amy Adams who is also amazing, Renner created a scientist that is compelling. For instance, the scene in which Ian has contact meeting the aliens for the first time is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Arrival” a great science-fiction film is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about communication which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Dr. Louise Banks’ desire to investigate an alien invasion, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder about an actor whose unforgettable movies are worthy of celebration.
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3. The Avengers
The Avengers is a spectacular superhero team that shaped my teacher’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a teacher that loved a superhero team giving him dreams to follow. I remember a teacher that loved a heroic team in pop culture. Through his lifelong love for the Avengers, my teacher inspired me to make my film criticism dreams come true. In 2012, Jeremy Renner honoured the team in his movie “The Avengers”. Released in 2012, Jeremy Renner’s movie forever changed the comic-book genre. In the most heroic role of his career, Renner embodies a superhero in a superhero team overcoming despair. Renner has always had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles, and “The Avengers” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which the Avengers assemble together to save New York from danger in a circle is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Avengers” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. An awe-inspiring introduction to a superhero team, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose commemorated movies inspire audiences to achieve their dream.
4. The Town
Bank robberies are terrifying events that have always scared me. At an early age, I developed a lifelong fear of bank robberies causing damage. Whenever I stepped foot into a bank, I was always had the fear that it would be robbed with consequences which were severe. My lifelong fear for bank robberies came from watching movies. As someone frightened by bank robberies turning lives upside down, I adored “The Town”. Released in 2010, Jeremy Renner’s movie captured bank robbers facing catastrophe. In the most emotional role of his career, Renner embodies a tormented bank robber with a short temper facing despair. With “The Town”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a villainous bank robber. Working alongside Ben Affleck who is also amazing, Renner created a bank robber that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Doug and Jem have a tense fight showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “The Town” a crime classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about crime which would resonate with everyone. A terrific portrait of troubled criminals committing robberies in a small town, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose timeless movies audiences crown.
5. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Mission Impossible is a spectacular spy franchise that my father has loved dearly. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a father that adored a franchise about spies facing sorrow. A huge fan of Tom Cruise, he loved movies that made headline news. My father loved all the movies in the spy franchise but his favourite film that he regarded with the most affection was “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”. Released in 2015, the fifth instalment in the franchise showcased stunning action. In the most action-packed role of his career, Renner embodies an agent that embarks on an impossible mission that’s a burden to bear. With “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”, the actor showcased an aptitude for comedy audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Brandt is amused to find that Ethan Hunt is being chased by enemies in a car showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Rogue Nation” a great MI film is its strong balance. The film strikes a fine balance between spectacle and character development which would appeal towards everyone. As strong as missions Ethan Hunt seeks to accomplish, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies which audiences cherish.
6. Wind River
Indigenous communities are rarely depicted with respect in movies. Hollywood has long held a history of ignoring the stories of Indigenous tribes. In an industry that has ignored plight of communities facing disaster, it’s worth praising “Wind River”. Released in 2017, Jeremy Renner’s movie offered an authentic depiction of Aboriginal communities. In the most tragic role of his career, Renner embodied a dedicated service agent investigating murders of Aboriginal people causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance showcase emotional vulnerability he hadn’t shown before. Working alongside Elisabeth Olsen who is also amazing, Renner honoured Indigenous communities. A powerful portrait of Indigenous communities facing murder, it’s a riveting reminder of a dedicated actor whose timeless movies audiences treasure.
7. Kill the Messenger
Few investigative journalists in American history are as beloved as Marc Webb. A dedicated journalist with strong views, Webb was driven to uncover shocking stories about drugs in news. Through his strong drive to expose corruption, Webb became a messenger worthy of recognition. In 2014, Jeremy Renner did an extraordinary job of portraying the dedicated messenger in his film “Kill the Messenger”. In the most political role of his career, Renner embodies a dedicated journalist seeking to uncover stories causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a renowned real-life figure. A terrific tribute towards a commemorated journalist that penned groundbreaking stories making news, it’s a tremendous reminder of an actor whose memorable movies have earned fantastic reviews.
8. The Immigrant
Immigration is a painful process that causes families to face stress. Years ago, my life changed when my family immigrated to Toronto. After saying goodbyes to companions I appreciated, it was challenging to become well-adjusted. As someone treasuring memories of being an immigrant, I adored “The Immigrant”. Released in 2013, Jeremy Renner’s movie offered a beautiful depiction of immigration. In the most spellbinding role of his career, Renner embodies a magician seeking to save an immigrant woman. It gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing mysterious characters. Working alongside Marion Cotillard who is excellent, Renner captured immigration. An insightful glimpse at hardships faced by an immigrant, it’s an incredible reminder of an actor that has produced unforgettable entertainment.
9. American Hustle
When it comes to the most notorious scandals in American history, it’s worth discussing ABSCAM. During the 1970’s, ABSCAM was a notorious scandal in which con-artists committing felonies. A scandal that was shocking, it built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2013, Jeremy Renner did an admirable job of depicting the American scandal in his film “American Hustle”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Renner embodies a mayor that is unaware he is being tricked by con-artists causing despair. It gave Renner a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing authoritative characters. In a star-studded cast, Renner stood out the most. Nearly 40 years after the ABSCAM scandal in which American con-artists committed crimes through their hustle, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor whose memorable movies audiences consider special.
10. The Bourne Legacy
Jeremy Renner hasn’t always made great movies. While most movies the actor has made have been successful, a few have fallen short. Unfortunately, “The Bourne Legacy” falls into the latter category. Released in 2012, Tony Gilroy’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most wooden role of his career, Renner embodied a spy carrying a burden to bear. Renner brought his usual charisma to the role. However, he couldn’t live up to Matt Damon who was born to play the character. Although it’s far from a perfect movie, “The Bourne Legacy” is still a brilliant reminder of Renner’s enduring legacy. As strong as Jason Bourne’s desire to become a successful agent, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with strong commitment whose unforgettable movies I will forever treasure for shaping my lifelong love of entertainment.
The Film Buff 