Not many actors in Hollywood have made movies as precious as Andy Serkis. Following the 1990’s, Serkis has become an icon. Whether it’s obsessive creatures, commanding leaders or comic-book characters, Serkis has created several commemorated characters. Through motion-capture, Serkis has constructed celebrated characters. Listed below are my selections for greatest movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings is a fantastic fantasy franchise that formed my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather that was a huge fan of a film series about rings causing damage. Drawn towards the precious ring, he considered it to be an awe-inspiring franchise with films that were always worth watching. My grandfather loved all the films in the iconic franchise but his favourite was always “The Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers”. Following its release in 2002, Andy Serkis’ movie has stood the test of time as a fantasy classic. In the greatest role of his career, Serkis embodies an obsessive creature that’s addicted to a dangerous ring that serves as a heavy burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in the most memorable role of his career. Serkis has always had an aptitude for creating compelling characters through motion-capture technology, and “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Gollum argues with himself in the reflection of water is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” Andy Serkis’ greatest movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the fantasy book series to appreciate it. The film delivers a profound message about addiction which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 70 years after the publication of a groundbreaking fantasy book about hobbits transporting a precious ring with powers that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of a celebrated actor known for bold motion-capture technology whose commemorated movies are worth absolutely celebrating.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Addiction is a painful process putting people under stress. As far as I remember, I have always been addicted to smartphones. At an early age, I became addicted towards using smartphones without concern for damage. As precious as the ring, my phone became an object I was always using. It became a prized possession without a doubt that I simply couldn’t live without. As someone experiencing addiction which is terrifying, I adored “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”. Released in 2003, Andy Serkis’ final LOTR movie concluded the fantasy trilogy. In the most obsessive role of his career, Serkis embodies a creature addicted to rings. If previous films portrayed Gollum as an antagonist without humanity, in the final film Serkis brought emotions to the creature audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the final scene in which Gollum following his ring falls into Mount Doom is a highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Return of the King” a masterpiece is its meaning. The film delivers a profound message about addiction everyone would relate to. A captivating conclusion of a celebrated franchise about creatures addicted to rings that are conflicted, it’s a strong reminder of a great actor that hasn’t lost abilities to leave audiences captivated whose memorable movies definitely deserve to be absolutely appreciated.
3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
The Planet of the Apes is a powerful franchise my teacher has always loved dearly. In high school, I bonded with a teacher that loved movies about apes he considered cool. He would always speak fondly about a famous franchise capturing apes with bravery. As someone treasuring memories of a teacher that loved the Planet of the Apes franchise, I adored “Dawn of the Planes of the Apes”. Released in 2014, Andy Serkis’ movie did an extraordinary job advancing the apes franchise through stunning motion-capture technology. In the most emotional role of his career, Serkis embodies a powerful ape guiding his clan during a time of despair. As Caesar, the actor embodied an ape with emotions through stunning motion-capture technology. For instance, the scene in which Caesar raises his voice confronting the humans showcased the actor’s strengths for motion-capture. Ultimately, what makes “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” the best movie in the Apes franchise is its message. The film delivers a strong message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Caesar’s desire to be a leader, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor creating strong characters through motion-capture in memorable movies audiences commonly treasure.
4. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Animal cruelty is a sensitive subject my aunt has always spoken about passionately. During my childhood, I witnessed my aunt speak out against animal cruelty that was misunderstood. Without a doubt, she spoke out against animal cruelty she was passionate about. As someone treasuring an aunt with strong viewers against animal cruelty, I loved “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”. Released in 2011, Andy Serkis’ movie introduced an iconic franchise about apes facing animal cruelty. In the most physically demanding role of his career, Serkis embodies a mischievous ape facing fear. Serkis has an aptitude for conveying emotions through silence, and “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” showcased his strengths. For instance, the final scene in which Caesar bids farewell towards Will found the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” a fantastic POTA movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about animal cruelty which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking beginning of a franchise about apes that rise, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actor whose commemorated movies haven’t lost their abilities to consistently surprise.
5. War for the Planet of the Apes
Leaders with strong personalities have always inspired me. At an early age, I bonded with a kid in school that demonstrated leadership with courage. Through his strong presence, he had abilities to calm down children making noise in silence. As powerful as Caesar, he was born to be a leader in a position of power. Leadership is a common theme in the Planet of the Apes franchise, and it is most evident in “War for the Planet of the Apes”. Released in 2017, Andy Serkis’ final instalment in the Apes trilogy bid farewell towards an iconic character. In the most authoritative role of his career, Andy Serkis embodies an ape waging war on a planet facing despair. Serkis has always had a powerful voice, and it is evident in “War for the Planet of the Apes”. For instance, the scene in which Caesar confronts the Colonel showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “War for the Planet of the Apes” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most moves in the POTA franchise, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A fantastic farewell towards apes with stories to tell, it’s a strong reminder of an actor whose movies leave audiences in a magical spell.
6. Black Panther
Few comic-book characters in popular culture are as celebrated as Black Panther. Since the 1960’s, T’Challa has gained a huge fan following. In 2018, Andy Serkis did an exceptional job bringing the heroic character to the big-screen in his film “Black Panther”. In the most maniacal role of his career, Serkis embodies a greedy dealer seeking control over a precious resource that’s a burden to bear. It’s a villainous character that gave Serkis opportunities to showcase a menacing side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. As Ulysses Klaue, Serkis did an excellent job of portraying an iconic comic-book supervillain. As precious as Vibranium stored in the Kingdom of Wakanda, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma that has manufactured movies throughout his career which commonly attract audiences towards Cinema.
7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Gollum is a compelling character that has always been a highlight of the LOTR franchise. With his creepy appearance, frightening voice and sharp eyes, Gollum has become a character that audiences prize. In 2012, Andy Serkis reprised the role of the precious character on an unexpected journey in his film “The Hobby: An Unexpected Journey”. In the briefest role of his career, Serkis embodies the creature in a small scene. Despite his limited screen-time in the movie, Serkis leaves a strong impression. Serkis brings an air of tension to the scene proving to be the highlight of the movie. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his ability to steal the show in a supporting role. As powerful as riddles Gollum solves in the dark, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a brilliant actor with a bright spark whose movies have left a lasting unforgettable mark.
8. King Kong
King Kong is a monstrous ape that has always scared me. I remember being terrified of the ape when I first saw “King Kong” in the theatre. A formative experience, watching the film at an early age gave me fear of the monstrous ape causing disturbance. Released in 2005, Andy Serkis’ movie has stood the test of time as a disaster classic. In the most humongous role of his career, Serkis embodies a monstrous ape treated poorly by humans with consequences that are dangerous. It’s not easy to bring emotions to an ape created by effects, but Serkis succeeded. It gave the actor an opportunity to showcase skills at creating motion-capture characters. Nearly 20 years following the release of a successful film about an ape that’s monstrous, it’s a strong reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a long-lasting career which is extremely precious.
9. The Prestige
Andy Serkis is one of those actors that excels at playing motion-capture characters. Serkis has built an image of being an actor that plays motion-capture characters with courage. However, in 2005 Serkis took audiences by surprise when he played a real-life character with prestige without motion-capture in his film “The Prestige”. Christopher Nolan’s movie found the actor playing a real-life character without motion-capture technology. In the most prestigious role of his career, Serkis portrays the assistant of an inventor driven to accomplish a goal. Despite being a short role with limited screen-time, Serkis left a lasting impression. A powerful portrait of prestigious magicians performing magic tricks that are catastrophic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an adventurous actor whose timeless movies audiences consider undeniably iconic.
10. Stormbreaker
Andy Serkis hasn’t always made great movies that audiences cherish. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Stormbreaker” falls into the latter category. Released in 2006, Geoffrey Sax’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed an agent seeking to prepare for warfare. Serkis brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Stormbreaker” is a bad movie, it honoured Serkis’ commemorated legacy. As strong as Alex Ryder’s desire to investigate a billionaire, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary British actor that has built a successful career making memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking about which I care.
The Film Buff 