Not many actors have built a legacy as strong as Anthony Mackie. Since the 1990’s, Mackie has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s conflicted rappers, political leaders or traumatized soldiers, Mackie has portrayed many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by 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 strong bonds with an uncle that appreciated movies about soldiers with courage. Fascinated with WWII, he was always interested in hardships veterans went through. My uncle always sought to educate family about historic wars he had 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”. Released in 2009, Anthony Mackie’s best movie offered a powerful portrait of the Iraq War. In the greatest role of his career, Mackie portrayed a troubled soldier seeking to prepare for warfare causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Mackie has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “The Hurt Locker”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a traumatized war veteran. It isn’t easy to embody a war veteran in American history, but Mackie succeeded immensely. Working alongside Jeremy Renner who is also outstanding, Mackie created a portrait of warfare that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Sgt. Sanborn is first introduced seeking to prepare soldiers for the detonation of a bomb in warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Hurt Locker” Anthony Mackie’s best movie is its universal appeal. The film delivers a profound message about the trauma faced by war veterans which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most war movies, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 20 years after a devastating war in which thoughtful soldiers sacrificed their lives to detonate bombs experiencing consequences that were challenging, it’s a groundbreaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies which are worth celebrating.
2. Million Dollar Baby
It’s always hard to recover from a sports injury. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I sprained my leg in tense injuries causing sorrow. A heartbreaking injury, it was caused by routine of excessive running. Following the devastating injury, I couldn’t engage any longer in an activity I had once enjoyed doing. As someone impacted by a devastating sports injury, I adored “Million Dollar Baby”. Released in 2004, Anthony Mackie’s Oscar-winning movie captured a female boxer facing a career-ending injury. In the most athletic role of his career, Mackie portrayed a boxer carrying a heavy burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing athletes with great physical power. Working alongside Clint Eastwood who is also amazing, Mackie created a portrait of boxing that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Shawrelle seeks to prepare for a boxing match is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Million Dollar Baby” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of boxing to appreciate it. A breathtaking portrait of injuries causing boxers to deteriorate, it’s a bold reminder of an actor producing movies which audiences appreciate.
3. Detroit
Police brutality is a sensitive subject matter that always fascinated my teacher. I remember a high school teacher that was fascinated with police putting lives in danger. He would always express strong views against police brutality that caused mental health issues. My teacher always sought to educate students about a controversial issue causing lives to deteriorate. As someone treasuring a teacher that hated police putting up a fight, I adored “Detroit”. Released in 2017, Anthony Mackie’s movie captured police brutality in history. In the most tragic role of his career, Mackie portrayed an innocent black man that becomes victim of police brutality causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional characters under pressure. Working alongside Will Poulter who is also amazing, Mackie created a portrait of police brutality that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Greene becomes a victim of police brutality in his home causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Detroit” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about police brutality which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of police brutality in America, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies always attract audiences to the Cinema.
4. Captain America: Civil War
Captain America is a captivating superhero that always impressed my grandfather. I recall with nostalgia memories of a grandpa that adored Captain America. He always appreciated a comic-book character with a shield carrying power. In 2016, Anthony Mackie honoured the character facing a war in his movie “Captain America: Civil War”. In the most heroic role of his career, Mackie portrayed a superhero participating in warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show as a supporting character. Working alongside Chris Evans who is also captivating, Mackie honoured an iconic comic-book hero that’s compelling. For instance, the airport scene in which Sam Wilson participates in warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Captain America: Civil War” a comic-book classic is its appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A captivating portrait of superheroes in a civil war, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has become a well-known star manufacturing timeless films that raise the bar.
5. Avengers: Endgame
The Avengers are an awe-inspiring superhero team that my friend always loved dearly. I remember a friend that admired a superhero team saving the world from grave danger. His room was always decorated with posters of a superhero team he appreciated. In 2019, Anthony Mackie honoured the iconic superhero team facing an endgame in his movie “Avengers: Endgame”. In the most emotional role of his career, Mackie portrayed a hero engaging in tense warfare causing despair. With “Avengers: Endgame”, however, actor brought emotional vulnerability to the hero that audiences hadn’t seen in previous films. Working alongside Robert Downey Jr. who is also amazing, Mackie honoured a superhero team that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Wilson becomes aware that Tony Stark sacrificed his life causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Avengers: Endgame” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. An awe-inspiring tribute towards a groundbreaking team reaching an endgame, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor manufacturing great movies achieving fame.
6. 8 Mile
When it comes to the most beloved rappers in American music, it’s worth discussing Eminem. Since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Eminem has composed timeless melodies. In 2002, Anthony Mackie honoured the iconic rapper with style in his movie “8 Mile”. In the most musical role of his career, Mackie portrayed a conflicted rapper that engages in a tense competition causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase musical talent he hadn’t shown before in his career. Mackie showcased skills for rapping melodies that proved his versatile range as an actor. Working alongside Eminem who is also outstanding, Mackie created a rap music drama that’s compelling. As strong as Jimmy’s desire to become a successful rapper, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made great movies which audiences treasure.
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7. Half Nelson
Drug addiction is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to depict an addiction that’s misunderstood. In an industry avoiding discussing harsh realities of addiction, it’s worth praising “Half Nelson”. Released in 2006, Anthony Mackie’s movie offered a powerful portrait of teachers with drug addiction. In the most conflicted role of his career, Mackie portrayed a drug-dealer that forms a friendship with a teacher causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing characters under pressure. Working alongside Ryan Gosling who is also amazing, Mackie created a portrait of abuse that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of drug addiction causing teachers to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor making movies audiences consider special.
8. The Hate U Give
Few books ever written about racism are as beloved as The Hate U Give. Since its publication in 2017, Angie Thomas’ book has become a literary classic. In 2018, Anthony Mackie honoured the iconic book about racism that’s hard to forgive in his movie “The Hate U Give”. In the most villainous role of his career, Mackie portrayed a treacherous gang leader that engages in violence causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a despicable villain. Working alongside Regina Hall who is also amazing, Mackie honoured a book about racism that’s compelling. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about the dangers of racism, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with wisdom that has always manufactured memorable movies which have achieved stardom.
9. The Banker
Anthony Makie has always excelled at playing emotional characters that face anxiety. Mackie has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional characters facing adversity. Mackie’s strength for playing anxious characters under pressure is clearly evident in his movie “The Banker”. Released in 2020, George Nolfi’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most dramatic role of his career, Mackie portrayed a renowned banker seeking to prepare for a recession causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing characters under pressure. Working alongside Samuel L. Jackson who is also amazing, Mackie created a drama that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of bankers facing a price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies are definitely worth celebrating today.
10. Gangster Squad
Anthony Mackie hasn’t always made great movies. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Gangster Squad” falls into the latter category. Released in 2013, Ruben Fleischer’s gangster drama was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Mackie portrayed a gangster seeking to participate in warfare in a city facing despair. Mackie brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Gangster Squad” is a bad movie, it honoured Mackie’s commemorated legacy. As strong as relationships between gangs in a doomed city, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a legacy by producing great movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 