Few filmmakers in Hollywood have got the recognition of Ridley Scott. Since the 1980’s, Scott has become an icon. Whether it’s stories of ancient Roman gladiators, blade runners or aliens causing disasters, Scott has made many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of a director that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Gladiator
Gladiators are great figures that have shaped my grandfather’s identity. I remember bonding with a grandfather that took great interest in ancient Roman gladiators. He would often love embarking on trips to the Cinema to watch movies about gladiators in the medieval era. Through his interest with gladiators in the Roman era, my grandfather gave me a lifelong love for Cinema. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that appreciated gladiators, I adored “Gladiator”. Ever since its release in 2000, Ridley Scott’s movie has stood the test of time as a mesmerizing medieval masterpiece. With the greatest film of his career, Scott captured the lives of ancient Roman gladiators that carried a heavy burden to bear. Scott is one of those filmmakers that has always had an eye for filming spectacle, and “Gladiator” showcased his strengths as a director. Scott effectively recreates the time period of ancient Rome through stunning visuals. For instance, the iconic scene in which Maximus asks the crowd of spectators in the Colosseum whether they are entertained is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. Packed with breathtaking set-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best medieval movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Russell Crowe, who embodies a brave gladiator that fought in Ancient Rome centuries ago. Ultimately, what makes “Gladiator” Ridley Scott’s greatest movie is its message. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Roman history to appreciate the movie. The film delivers a profound message about vengeance which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a grand classic about Roman gladiators that changed the world forever, it’s a commemorated reminder about a legendary filmmaker whose timeless movies audiences treasure.
2. Alien
Aliens are creepy creatures which have always scared me. At an early age, I developed a fear for aliens that cause damage. With their frightening eyes, painful claws and creepy bodies, aliens have always terrified me. I would often be afraid to sleep alone at night in the fear I would be attacked by aliens that were a shocking sight. My lifelong fear of aliens first began when I watched Ridley Scott’s “Alien”. Ever since its release in 1979, Scott’s film has stood the test of time as a science-fiction classic. With the most visually stunning film of his career, Scott captured aliens that cause passengers on a spaceship to face fear. Scott has always had an aptitude for creating suspense through silence, and “Alien” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the opening scene of the film in which the camera examines the corridors of a spaceship in silence hinting at danger to come is one of the best moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Alien” a sci-fi classic is its universal appeal. The film delivers a profound message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as aliens causing spaceships to face disaster in space, it’s a riveting reminder about a filmmaker whose movies audiences embrace.
3. Blade Runner
“Blade Runner” is a spectacular science-fiction film that shaped my teacher’s identity. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a teacher in school that loved a commemorated film about blade runners with courage. A huge sci-fi nerd, he would always speak fondly about a classic film that made him feel heard. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that adored the science-fiction classic, I loved “Blade Runner”. Since its release in 1982, Ridley Scott’s movie has become a sci-fi classic fans value. With the most thought-provoking film of his career, Scott created a meaningful science-fiction movie about replicants facing despair. Scott is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at world-building. This strength is clearly evident in “Blade Runner”. For instance, the scene in which Roy delivers a speech about death shedding tears in the rain is one of the best moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Blade Runner” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about communication which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking blockbuster about replicants shedding tears in the rain, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated filmmaker making unforgettable movies that have never lost abilities to entertain.
4. The Martian
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced a grim bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old when loud bombs struck my household. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured individuals surviving a disastrous situation as powerfully as “The Martian”. Released in 2015, Ridley Scott’s movie offered an engaging adaptation of a beloved book about space survival. With the most comical film of his career, Scott captured an astronaut seeking to survive a disaster on Mars facing despair. Scott has spent most of his career making serious movies that don’t have any humour. With “The Martian”, however, the filmmaker showcased a comical side to himself audiences hadn’t seen in past films before. For instance, the scene in which Mark Watney conducts explosions on food on Mars is the most hilarious work the filmmaker has ever done. Ultimately, what makes “The Martian” a sci-fi masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about survival which would resonate with everyone. A strong portrait of astronauts seeking to survive on a doomed planet, it’s a sensational reminder about a great filmmaker whose memorable movies are impossible to forget.
5. The Last Duel
Rape is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with an aunt speaking out against sexual assault. She was a feminist that wasn’t afraid to speak out about social issues she was passionate about. In a country where women were mistreated, she advocated for women’s rights through messages she communicated. As someone treasuring an aunt that held strong views against cruel treatment of women, I loved “The Last Duel”. Released in 2021, Ridley Scott’s movie offered an engaging glimpse at misogyny in medieval history. With the most courageous film of his career, Scott captured sexual assault causing women in medieval history to face despair. With “The Last Duel”, Scott took a step out of his comfort zone of blockbusters by tackling the subject of rape. It isn’t easy to depict sexual assault, but Scott succeeded. For instance, the scene in which Margeurite is sexually assaulted is one of the greatest moments of the director’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Last Duel” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about rape which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular depiction of sexual assault causing painful lives of women to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a legendary filmmaker whose commemorated movies audiences always appreciate.
6. Thelma and Louise
Ridley Scott is one of those filmmakers that has always been drawn towards feminist characters. Since he achieved stardom during the 1980’s, Scott’s movies have always explored themes of feminism. Scott’s strength for creating strong feminist characters searching for identities is clearly evident in his film “Thelma and Louise”. Released in 1991, Scott’s Oscar-winning movie captured two female friends embarking on a road-trip journey. With the most feminist film of his career, Scott created a compelling relationship between two female friends overcoming fear. Scott effectively uses stunning visuals to create a female friendship that’s compelling. As strong as the bond Louise shares with Thelma, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a filmmaker with charisma whose timeless movies have always attracted audiences to the Cinema.
7. House of Gucci
Gucci is a fantastic fashion company that has built a commemorated legacy. Formed in the 1920’s, Gucci is a fashion company that appeared to have a bright destiny. However, crime scandals destroyed the company forever. The tragic assassination of Italian businessman Maurizio Gucci tarnished the company’s reputation. In 2021, Ridley Scott did an excellent job celebrating the fashion company in his film “House of Gucci”. In the most glamorous film of his career, Scott captures a precious fashion company that faced scandals which were dangerous. It’s a movie that gave the director an opportunity to showcase his flair for telling real-life stories about corruption. Nearly 30 years following the tragic downfall of a famous fashion empire, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary filmmaker whose timeless movies audiences admire.
8. The Duellists
A director’s first film is usually not his best work. When filmmakers first start making movies in the industry, they often lack valuable experience. It often takes several years of experience for a director to establish a unique trademark style, gain knowledge and make a movie that’s engaging. However, Ridley Scott is an exception. In 1977, Scott showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he made his film “The Duellists”. With his directorial debut, Scott captured the hardships that duellists in the Napoleonic Wars went through. Scott showcased extraordinary control behind the camera. Although “The Duellists” may not rank among Scott’s best work, it stands out as a promising debut. As powerful portrait of duellists that engage in a fight, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a filmmaker whose bright movies have earned spotlight.
9. Black Hawk Down
Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality. With their loud battle sequences, cartoonish characters and lacklustre storytelling, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has been turned upside down, it’s worth praising “Black Hawk Down”. Released in 2001, Ridley Scott’s movie did an extraordinary job of depicting the Battle of Mogadishu. With his first ever war movie, Scott did an excellent job of depicting a forgotten war rarely discussed in American history. Scott showcased extraordinary control staging breathtaking battle sequences. Unlike most war movies, Scott managed to balance storytelling with spectacle. A breathtaking portrait of hardships soldiers in the Battle of Mogadishu went through, it’s a riveting reminder about a filmmaker whose timeless movies audiences value.
10. The Counselor
Ridley Scott has had an inconsistent career. While most movies Scott has made have been successful, others have proven to be disasters. Unfortunately, “The Counselor” is one of those films that falls into the latter camp. Released in 2013, Scott’s crime thriller depicted a drug dealer experiencing tragedies. With the worst movie of his career, Scott made the catastrophic decision of emphasizing style over substance. Despite a star-studded cast led by Michael Fassbender, the film turned out to be a total disaster. Nevertheless, for all its flaws “The Counselor” is a reminder of why Ridley Scott is a commemorated filmmaker. As precious as drugs the counselor seeks to traffic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a filmmaker whose iconic movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to pursue lifelong dreams of becoming a film critic.
The Film Buff 