Not many actors have built a legacy as long-lasting as Benedict Wong. Since the 1990’s, Wong has become an Asian-American icon. Whether it’s martial arts fighters, supreme sorcerers or famous authors, Wong has portrayed several 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. Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is a marvellous comic-book character that always impressed my teacher. I recall that my English teacher was once a huge fan of a great sorcerer facing danger. He would always love to tell great stories about an ancient supreme sorcerer that cast a powerful spell. My teacher often believed that movies were an art form that couldn’t honour a great superhero that held a precious place in his heart. In 2016, Benedict Wong honoured the strange sorcerer in his movie “Doctor Strange”. In the greatest role of his career, Wong portrayed a wise mentor that seeks to guide a strange sorcerer facing despair. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Wong has spent most of his career by playing great heroes in science-fiction movies. With “Doctor Strange”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a comic-book hero that’s well-known. Working alongside Benedict Cumberbatch who is also amazing, Wong honoured a hero that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Wong is first introduced seeking to prepare Strange for the mystic arts is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Doctor Strange” Benedict Wong’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies that are targeted towards comic-book fans only, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly a decade following the release of a classic comic-book film about a strange sorcerer facing a world of danger, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated Chinese actor that has manufactured bold movies which audiences treasure.
2. Avengers: Infinity War
The Avengers are an awe-inspiring superhero team that my friend always loved dearly. I remember a friend that was a huge fan of a superhero team saving the world from danger. His room was always decorated with posters of a superhero team he appreciated. In 2018, Benedict Wong honoured the iconic superhero team facing a war in his movie “Avengers: Infinity War”. In the most emotional role of his career, Wong portrayed a superhero facing warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Robert Downey Jr. who is also amazing, Wong honoured a superhero team that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Wong becomes aware that New York is in grave danger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Avengers: Infinity War” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies targeted towards comic-book fans, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. As strong as the Avengers’ desire to defeat Thanos, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has made great movies throughout his career which audiences consider precious.
3. 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, Benedict Wong’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a classic science-fiction book about space survival. In the most anxious role of his career, Wong portrayed a space commander seeking to locate a lost astronaut facing despair. It gave the actor chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Matt Damon who is also amazing, Wong created a space survival movie that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Bruce becomes 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 universal appeal. Unlike most space survival movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a bold message about survival which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships astronauts face seeking to survive in space, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actor whose great movies audiences embrace.
4. The Personal History of David Copperfield
Charles Dickens is a legendary author whose literature impressed my mother. I remember a mother that adored the author’s literature. She had great expectations from an author she grew up to appreciate. My mother often yearned to see Dickens’ timeless literature adapted on the big-screen. In 2019, Benedict Wong honoured the author whose stories have appealed in his movie “The Personal History of David Copperfield”. In the most poetic role of his career, Wong portrayed a businessman seeking to negotiate a deal causing despair. With “The Personal History of David Copperfield”, Wong showcased rare flair for delivering dramatic monologues he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Dev Patel who is also outstanding, Wong created an adaptation of a book that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Mr. Wickfield becomes aware of David Copperfield’s poor upbringing causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Personal History of David Copperfield” a classic is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Charles Dickens’ literature to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about orphans which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about an impoverished orphan, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with dedication to his craft that has made unforgettable movies which are worthy of celebration.
5. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man is a spectacular superhero that always inspired my brother. Several years ago, my brother adored the web-swinging superhero. He would always praise a superhero whose great powers came with great responsibility. In 2021, Benedict Wong honoured the iconic hero with no way home in his movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home”. In the most supportive role of his career, Wong portrayed an ancient sorcerer seeking to guide an adolescent superhero facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing wise mentors in positions of power. Working alongside Tom Holland who is also amazing, Wong honoured a hero that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Wong gives Peter valuable advice seeking to prepare him for the multi-verse is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Spider-Man: No Way Home” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Spider-Man movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about grief which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute to a web-swinging superhero, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has made movies giving audiences dreams to follow.
6. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Few comic-book heroes have built a legacy as strong as Shang-Chi. Since his creation in the 1970’s, the Asian-American hero has appeared in memorable movies. In 2021, Benedict Wong honoured the iconic hero with powerful rings in his movie “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”. In the most comical role of his career, Wong portrayed a wise mentor seeking to guide a martial arts hero facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase aptitude for comedy he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Michelle Yeoh who is also amazing, Wong honoured an Asian-American hero that’s inspiring. As powerful as Shang-Chi’s ring, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured engaging movies throughout his impressive career which undoubtedly are worth celebrating.
7. Sunshine
Benedict Wong has often excelled at playing emotional heroes whose worries are long. Wong has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional heroes facing damage. Wong’s strengths for playing characters whose lives decline is clearly evident in his movie “Sunshine”. Released in 2007, Danny Boyle’s science-fiction blockbuster showcased the actor at his best. In the most conflicted role of his career, Wong portrayed a space commander facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under intense pressure. Working alongside Cillian Murphy who is also amazing, Wong created a sci-fi film that’s engaging. As powerful as the sunshine, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made divine films which have never lost abilities to shine.
8. Moon
Space is a compelling setting that has made for entertaining movies. Since aliens attacked spaceships in the 1980’s, space has often played a pivotal role in movies. Audiences have grown to embrace stories of astronauts seeking to survive in space. In 2009, Benedict Wong captured the enduring appeal of the moon in his movie “Moon”. In the most brief role of his career, Wong portrayed a space commander seeking to communicate with an astronaut facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Sam Rockwell who is also amazing, Wong created a space survival movie that’s engaging. A powerful portrayal of space survival, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor making timeless movies audiences consider special.
9. Annihilation
When it comes to the greatest science-fiction books ever written, it’s worth discussing Annihilation. Since its publication in 2014, Jeff VanderMeer’s book has become a literature classic. In 2018, Benedict Wong honoured the iconic science-fiction book in her movie “Annihilation”. In the most frightening role of his career, Wong portrayed a scientist investigating an alien invasion causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for horror that he hadn’t shown in his career. Working alongside Natalie Portman who is also outstanding, Wong honoured a science-fiction book that’s compelling. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about scientists investigating an alien invasion, it’s an amazing reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies that deserve appreciation.
10. Gemini Man
Benedict Wong hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Gemini Man” falls into the latter category. Released in 2019, Ang Lee’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Wong portrayed a pilot experiencing despair. Wong brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Gemini Man” is a bad movie, it honoured Wong’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Henry’s desire to prevent clone catastrophe, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated Asian-American actor that has built a lasting legacy manufacturing memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 
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