Not many actors in Hollywood deserve a round of applause like Frank Oz. Since the 1990’s, Oz has become an American icon. Whether it’s wise mentors, suspects of murders or animated creatures, Oz 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 appreciated.
1. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars is a spectacular science-fiction franchise that my teacher always loved dearly. Years ago, I developed a strong bond with a teacher that once appreciated the franchise. Star Wars was a franchise my English teacher would cherish. A force to be reckoned with, he acknowledged movies impacting identity. He appreciated franchises about lukewarm orphans making him feel happy. In 1980, Frank Oz honoured the science-fiction franchise about jedis that are back in his movie “The Empire Strikes Back”. In the greatest role of his career, the actor portrayed a mentor seeking to guide jedis experiencing warfare. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Oz has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes in American period dramas. With “The Empire Strikes Back”, however, the actor took a massive step out of his comfort zone by playing a commemorated sci-fi character that’s well-known. Working alongside Mark Hamill who is also amazing, Oz created a science-fiction blockbuster that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Yoda is first introduced seeking to prepare Luke for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Empire Strikes Back” Frank Oz’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike commemorated movies made during the 1980’s which tend to be outdated, it has aged beautifully with a message that remains commemorated. Nearly 40 years following introduction of a sci-fi series created a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost abilities to blow audiences away by making great movies in his career that deserve to be celebrated absolutely today.
2. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Mentors are inspiring figures in school that have shaped my identity. I remember forming bonds with a mentor that inspired me to become a writer. I grew up to be a big fan of an inspirational mentor that made me believe there was nothing in the world I couldn’t accomplish. As someone treasuring memories of a mentor I grew up to glorify, I adored “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. Released in 2017, Frank Oz’s movie celebrated the roles of mentors in the science-fiction franchise. In the most wise role of his career, Oz portrayed an aging mentor seeking to guide jedis in a galaxy facing warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase wisdom as Yoda that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Mark Hamill who is also amazing, Oz created a Star Wars movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Yoda gives Luke valuable advice seeking to prepare him for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Last Jedi” a great Star Wars movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about identity which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Rey’s desire to become a Jedi, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has always made timeless movies which commonly satisfy.
3. Monsters, Inc.
Monsters are creatures that always terrified my brother. I remember my brother was once afraid of monsters that put lives in grave danger. He would always fear being in the presence of frightening monster that had abilities to scare. As someone treasuring memories of a brother that feared monsters which stink, I adored “Monsters, Inc.”. Released in 2001, Frank Oz’s animated movie offered a powerful portrait of monsters causing catastrophe. In the most colourful role of his career, Oz portrayed a monster seeking to scare children causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for creating compelling animated characters through his commanding voice. Working alongside John Goodman who is also amazing, Oz created a monster movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Fungus seeks to scare children causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Monsters, Inc.” an animated classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Pixar movies targeted towards children only, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as monsters that scare, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor making movies about which audiences care.
4. Knives Out
Social class has impacted my family. Years ago, my family faced grief when we discovered that our housekeeper was a thief. My grandparents were shocked when they found the housekeeper they trusted had stolen jewelry. As someone that saw housekeepers facing barriers without a doubt, I adored “Knives Out”. Released in 2019, Frank Oz’s movie offered an engaging murder mystery about social class. In the most comical role of his career, Oz portrayed a legal counsel seeking to determine fortune of a family facing 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 Daniel Craig who is also amazing, Oz created a murder mystery that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Alan makes the Thrombey family aware of their fortune causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Knives Out” a masterpiece is its universal message. The film delivers a profound message about social class which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic portrait of families taking knives out, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made movies throughout his great career that deserve to be talked about without doubt.
5. Inside Out
Emotions have shaped my personality. At an early age, I was affected by grim emotions that caused my life to face damage. Several years ago, I felt upset when my family made consequential decisions to immigrate to Toronto. As someone whose emotions were turned inside out, I adored “Inside Out”. Released in 2015, Frank Oz’s animated movie offered a powerful portrait of emotions. In the most emotional role of his career, Oz portrayed an operator seeking to control the emotions of a teenager facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talents for creating powerful animated characters through his strong voice. Working alongside Bill Hader who is also amazing, Ratzenberger created an animated movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Subconscious Guard Dave becomes aware that something has gone wrong in Riley’s mind causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Inside Out” a timeless animated classic is its appeal. Unlike most movies in the animated genre, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A great glimpse inside a teenager’s mind, it’s a riveting reminder of a one-of-a-kind actor that has manufactured movies leaving lasting legacy behind.
6. An American Werewolf in London
Werewolves are iconic creatures that have always fascinated the public. Hollywood has often made engaging movies about werewolves causing catastrophes. With menacing eyes, frightening teeth and sharp claws, werewolves have earned a huge following. In 1981, Frank Oz captured the enduring appeal of werewolves with affection in his movie “An American Werewolf in London”. In the most frightening role of his career, Oz portrayed a scientist seeking to investigate werewolves that scare. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for horror he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside David Naughton who is also amazing, Oz created a horror movie that’s captivating. As powerful portrait of werewolves that are monstrous, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that audiences consider extremely precious.
7. The Blues Brothers
Frank Oz has often excelled at playing emotional characters with flaws. Oz has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional heroes facing damage. Oz’s strength for playing emotional characters is clearly evident in his movie “The Blues Brothers”. Released in 1980, John Landis’ comedy showcased the actor at his best. In the most conflicted role of his career, Oz portrayed a sheriff seeking to resolve crimes in a city 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 John Belushi who is also outstanding, Oz created a comedy that’s captivating. As strong as Jake’s bond with his brother, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made captivating movies which audiences commonly treasure.
8. Inside Out 2
Anxiety has shaped my personality. At an early age, my life forever changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing damage. As someone that has witnessed hardships anxious teenagers go through, I adored “Inside Out 2”. Released in 2024, Frank Oz’s animated movie offered a powerful portrait of teen anxiety. In the most anxious role of his career, Oz portrayed an operator seeking to care for the mind of a troubled teenager facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for creating compelling animated characters through his voice. Working alongside Amy Poehler who is also amazing, Oz created an animated movie that’s engaging. As strong as Riley’s desire to overcome anxiety, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy making engaging movies audiences love commonly dearly.
9. Labyrinth
Few musicians in American history are as beloved as David Bowie. Since the 1980’s, Bowie has become a legendary musician with a lasting legacy. In 1986, Frank Oz collaborated with the world-famous singer in his movie “Labyrinth”. In the most intriguing role of his career, Oz portrayed a goblin creature that participates in warfare causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for creating commemorated motion-capture characters engaging in strange behaviour. Working alongside Jennifer Connelly who is also amazing, Oz created a commemorated fantasy film that’s captivating. As strong as Sarah’s desire to explored a world that’s fantastical, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor that has always manufactured memorable movies throughout his impressive career which audiences consider special.
10. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Frank Oz hasn’t always made great movies that deserve a round of applause. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” falls into the latter category. Released in 2019, J.J. Abrams final Star Wars movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Oz portrayed an aging mentor seeking to prepare Jedis for warfare. Oz brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Rise of Skywalker” is a bad movie, it honoured Oz’s enduring legacy. As strong as Rey’s desire to explore space, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has carved an enduring place in the industry making movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to chase dreams of film criticism I commonly embrace.
The Film Buff 