Not many actors possess the charisma of Michael Pena. Since the 1990’s, Pena has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s police-officers, bank robbers or political leaders, Pena has portrayed several 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 favourite films made by a commemorated actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Ant-Man
Ant-Man is an amazing comic-book hero of whom my brother was always a fan. I remember my brother was once a fan of a comic-book character with abilities to shrink in size causing disaster. A huge fan of Marvel, he would often speak fondly about a great hero that he considered special. He adored a marvellous hero that held a big place in his heart which was precious. Through his lifelong love for Ant-Man, my brother inspired me to make film criticism dreams come true. In 2015, Michael Pena honoured the iconic comic-book character with plans to shrink in his movie “Ant-Man”. In the greatest role of his career, Pena portrayed a clever thief that assists Ant-Man prepare for warfare. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most memorable role. Pena has spent most of his career playing serious characters in dramas. With “Ant-Man”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first ever comic-book movie. Working alongside Paul Rudd who is also amazing, Pena manufactured a comic-book movie that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Luis first becomes aware of Scott’s abilities to shrink in size is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes”Ant-Man” Michael Pena’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies targeted towards comic-book fans only, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be comic-book fans to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade following the release of a classic comic blockbuster about a superhero with capabilities to become small, it’s a fantastic reminder of a celebrated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to enthral in movies audiences recall.
2. American Hustle
Con-artists that engage in criminal behaviour always fascinated my father. I remember my father was once a huge fan of with clever con-artists facing disaster. He would often marvel at the clever way con-artists got away with dark crimes without facing a serious price to pay. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father that adored clever con-artists that hustle, I admired “American Hustle”. Released in 2013, Michael Pena’s movie honoured real-life con-artists in American history. In the most comical role of his career, Pena portrayed a real-life con-artist that engaged in a scandal causing despair. Pena has always had a sharp sense of humour, and “American Hustle” showcased his comedic talents as an actor. Working alongside Bradley Cooper who is also outstanding, Pena honoured con-artists. For instance, the scene in which Sheik Abdullah is first introduced seeking to prepare for a meeting is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “American Hustle” a classic is its timeless appeal. Unlike most movies about con-artists, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. An inspiring tribute to con-artists that hustle, it’s a powerful reminder of a great actor making bold movies audiences consider special.
3. Crash
Racism is a devastating problem that shaped my friend’s identity. In high school, I formed friendships with an African-American classmate enduring racism that was cruel. He would commonly complain about being treated poorly by racist bullies causing pain. As someone cherishing fond memories of a friend that faced racism causing a crash, I adored “Crash”. Released in 2004, Michael Pena’s movie captured the lives of individuals affected by racism in Los Angeles. In the most tragic role of his career, Pena portrayed a thief that becomes victim of racism in L.A. causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a star-studded cast. Working alongside Matt Dillon who is also amazing, Pena created a portrait of crime that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Daniel is saved by his daughter from a gunshot causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Crash” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Despite focusing on citizens in Los Angeles, its themes resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of individuals affected by racism in L.A., it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor making commemorated movies that deserve to be celebrated today.
4. 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, Michael Pena’s Oscar-winning movie captured a female boxer facing a career-ending injury. In the most athletic role of his career, Pena portrayed a boxing trainer seeking to prepare athletes for matches causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase rare talent for boxing that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Clint Eastwood who is also amazing, Pena honoured boxers in Hollywood. For instance, the scene in which Omar seeks to prepare Maggie for her big fight is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Million Dollar Baby” a masterpiece is its appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of boxing to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about sports injuries which would resonate with everyone. A frightening portrait of injuries causing boxers to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor producing movies which audiences appreciate.
5. The Martian
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a bombing in Saudi Arabia. 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, Michael Pena’s movie offered an engaging adaptation of a beloved book about space survival. In the most anxious role of his career, Pena portrayed an astronaut seeking to locate his long lost companion in space facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Matt Damon who is also amazing, Stan honoured a classic sci-fi book about survival. For instance, the scene in which Chris and his space crew become aware that Mark Watney is still alive causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Martian” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about survival which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of astronauts in space, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actor that has manufactured movies which audiences embrace.
6. A Million Miles Away
When it comes to the greatest astronauts in American history, it’s worth discussing Jose M. Hernandez. During the 1960’s, Hernandez participated in legendary space missions. In 2023, Michael Pena honoured the legendary astronaut that travelled a million miles away in his movie “A Million Miles Away”. In the most historical role of his career, Pena portrayed an astronaut that completed legendary space missions causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Rosa Salazar who is also amazing, Pena honoured an astronaut that’s awe-inspiring. A powerful tribute towards an astronaut that worked for NASA, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with charisma whose unforgettable movies attract audiences to the Cinema.
7. The Lincoln Lawyer
Michael Pena has always excelled at playing emotional characters facing trauma. Pena has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional heroes facing damage. Pena’s strength for playing anxious characters under intense pressure is clearly evident in his movie “The Lincoln Lawyer”. Released in 2011, Brad Furman’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most conflicted role of his career, Pena portrayed a criminal seeking assistance of a lawyer to get out of prison causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing characters in danger. Working alongside Matthew McConaughey who is also amazing, Pena honoured literature about lawyers. A lovely adaptation of a book about lawyers facing danger, it’ a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies audiences treasure.
8. Fury
Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality. With their mindless action, lacklustre storytelling and poor acting, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has lost its popularity, it’s worth praising “Fury”. Released in 2014, Michael Pena’s movie offered a reinvention of the war movie genre. In the most commanding role of his career, Pena portrayed a dedicated soldier participating in warfare causing despair. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Brad Pitt who is also outstanding, Pena captured hardships soldiers are experiencing. A breathtaking portrait of World War II, it’s a groundbreaking reminder of a legendary actor that made commemorated movies which audiences value.
9. End of Watch
Crime is common in the city of L.A. today. Los Angeles has built an image of being a city where violence causes criminals to face damage. Crimes in a corrupt city where police keep a close watch are beautifully depicted in the film “End of Watch”. Released in 2012, Michael Pena’s movie captured crimes in Los Angeles. In the most heroic role of his career, Pena portrayed a dedicated cop seeking to resolve crimes in a doomed city facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing anxiety-ridden characters under pressure. Working alongside Jake Gyllenhaal who is also outstanding, Pena created a portrait of crime that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of crimes causing lives of L.A. cops to crumble, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor making memorable movies audiences consider special.
10. Gangster Squad
Michael Pena hasn’t always made great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Gangster Squad” falls into the latter category. Released in 2013, Ruben Fleischer’s crime thriller was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Pena portrayed a gangster seeking to commit crimes in a city causing despair. Pena 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 Pena’s legacy. As strong as bonds between the gangster squad, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost abilities to leave audiences awed whose movies that are rarely flawed I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of Cinema I applaud.
The Film Buff 