Not many actors have managed to earn a following as huge as Laurence Fishburne. Since the 1990’s, Fishburne has become an icon. Whether it’s wise mentors, police-officers or frustrated fathers, Fishburne has portrayed several characters. Given the number of movies he has made in his career, 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 Matrix
The Matrix is a spectacular science-fiction film that impressed my teacher. Several years ago, my teacher was once a huge fan of Neo. He grew up to care deeply about a classic sc-fi film that captured agents dodging bullets in the air. Fond of Morpheus, he would always love to discuss a great science-fiction film that he considered to be precious. In 1999, Laurence Fishburne honoured the iconic film about a grim sci-fi matrix in his movie “The Matrix”. In the greatest role of his career, Fishburne portrayed a wise mentor seeking to prepare people for a dark matrix causing despair. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Fishburne has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes in dramas. With “The Matrix”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first science-fiction movie. Working alongside Hugo Weaving who is also amazing, Fishburne created a science-fiction movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Morpheus seeks to prepare Neo through training him in the Matrix causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Matrix” Laurence Fishburne’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most science-fiction films made during the 1990’s which are often outdated, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about heroes forced to choose a pill, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made great movies which thrill.
2. Mystic River
It’s challenging to come to terms with loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit a crushing low when our great housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, my housekeeper became a victim of grim murder. Her devastating death left my family mourning. As someone haunted by the death of a beloved housekeeper, I adored “Mystic River”. Released in 2003, Laurence Fishburne’s movie offered an engaging noir murder mystery. In the most solemn role of his career, Fishburne portrayed a bold detective facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Sean Penn who is also amazing, Fishburne created a mystery that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Whitey Powers first is aware of the murder of a young girl causing despair is one of the best scenes of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Mystic River” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about loss which will resonate with everyone. A strong portrait of grief causing the lives of men to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a great actor manufacturing movies throughout his career which people appreciate.
3. Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible is a spectacular franchise that always earned my father’s appreciation. I remember my father once appreciated a franchise about hunted spies facing danger. A huge fan of Tom Cruise, he appreciated movies that changed his worldviews. In 2006, Laurence Fishburne honoured the franchise about spies facing tragedy in his movie “Mission: Impossible III”. In the most heroic role of his career, Fishburne portrayed an agent seeking to investigate murders causing 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 Tom Cruise who is also amazing, Fishburne created an action movie that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Brassel recruits Ethan seeking to prepare him for a dangerous mission is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Mission: Impossible III” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. As memorable as missions Ethan Hunt seeks to accomplish, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies which audiences cherish.
4. The Colour Purple
The Colour Purple is a legendary book my mother always considered special. I remember my mother was once a huge fan of a book she considered timeless literature. Fond of Celie, she loved discussing a book about racism that shaped her identity. In 1985, Laurence Fishburne honoured the iconic book about women wearing colour purple in his movie “The Colour Purple”. In the most musical role of his career, Fishburne portrayed an African-American musician in a city facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase his talent for singing melodies he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Whoopi Goldberg who is also amazing, Fishburne honoured a classic book about racism that’s frightening. For instance, the scene in which Swain is first introduced seeking to prepare a musical act in the bar is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Colour Purple” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about bonds between siblings which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated novel about women wearing the colour purple, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences consider special.
5. Apocalypse Now
War movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. I remember an uncle that was fascinated with warfare disaster. He grew up to value war movies capturing the hardships that WWII soldiers went through. My uncle would always appreciate movies that sought to educate people about historic wars causing lives to deteriorate. As someone treasuring fond memories of an uncle fascinated with how apocalyptic wars began, I loved “Apocalypse Now”. Released in 1979, Laurence Fishburne’s movie offered an engaging depiction of the Vietnam War. In the most commanding role of his career, Fishburne played an army officer participating in warfare causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Marlon Brando who is also amazing, Fishburne honoured a war that took place years ago. For instance, the scene in which Tyrone seeks to prepare for warfare in Vietnam is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Apocalypse Now” a great war movie is its message. The film delivers a bold message about war which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years after the Vietnam War ended, it’s a great reminder of an inspiring actor thriving at playing bold characters in movies that deserve to be celebrated.
6. Ant-Man and the Wasp
Few superheroes have earned a fan following as huge as Ant-Man. Since 2015, the hero with abilities to shrink in size has become a character audiences idolize. In 2018, Laurence Fishburne honoured the hero causing people to gasp in his movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp”. In the most comical role of his career, Fishburne portrayed a businessman that seeks to prepare Ant-Man for a mission causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase comedic timing he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Paul Rudd who is also outstanding, Fishburne created a comic-book movie that’s compelling. An astonishing tribute towards a superhero with the abilities to shrink in size, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to surprise producing movies which audiences prize.
7. Boyz n the Hood
Laurence Fishburne has always excelled at playing characters that are stern. Fishburne has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing heroes facing emotional damage. Fishburne’s strength for playing stern characters which are misunderstood is clearly evident in his movie “Boyz n the Hood”. Released in 1991, John Singleton’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most stern role of his career, Fishburne portrayed a frustrated father struggling to care for a son causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing characters under pressure. Working alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. who is also amazing, Fishburne created a drama that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of an African-American neighbourhood, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has stood the test of time as an icon in Hollywood.
8. Man of Steel
Superman is a legendary superhero that my grandfather always loved dearly. I recall a grandfather that grew up to adore a superhero with the abilities to soar. My grandfather would always love discussing an iconic comic-book character he grew up to treasure. In 2013, Laurence Fishburne honoured the iconic superhero made of steel in his movie “Man of Steel”. In the most supportive role of his career, Fishburne portrayed a news media journalist seeking to investigate a superhero flying in the air. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show as a supporting character. Working alongside Amy Adams who is also amazing, Fishburne honoured a hero that’s soaring. A spectacular tribute towards a superhero made of steel, it’s a superb reminder of an actor making great movies offering appeal.
9. What’s Love Got to do With It
When it comes to the greatest musicians in American history people treasure, it’s worth discussing Tina Turner. An awe-inspiring singer, Turner composed timeless melodies building a lasting legacy. In 1993, Laurence Fishburne honoured the iconic singer in his movie “What’s Love Got to do With it”. In the most conflicted role of his career, Fishburne portrayed a musician engaging in a doomed love affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a renowned musician that’s well-known. Working alongside Angela Bassett who is also amazing, Fishburne honoured an African-American singer that’s inspiring. As strong as Tina Turner’s love for music, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated that has made iconic movies during his career which have captivated the public.
10. Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer
Laurence Fishburne hasn’t always made great movies earning a huge audience. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” falls into the latter category. Released in 2007, Tim Story’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a surfer villain facing despair. Fishburne brought charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer” is a bad movie, it honoured Fishburne’s legacy. As strong as bonds between the Fantastic Four, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his ability to soar whose movies have opened the door for me to achieve dreams of film criticism that I adore.
The Film Buff 
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