Sometimes people make movies that are widely panned. It happens as everyone makes mistakes from time to time. Sometimes though, great actors get cast in those panned movies, and the results can be anywhere from comical to surprisingly deep.
Many actors know when they are above the material they have to work with, but some of them still decide to give it their all. Whether they pull off a hilarious self-parody or a genuinely heartfelt scene, some actors manage to be easily the best part of otherwise underwhelming movies.
Michael Jai White, Spawn (1997)
Spawn is a hugely popular character among comic book fans, so it was only a matter of time before his story was adapted to the big screen. 1997's Spawn film, however, was a disappointment to many. Polarizing special effects and massively toned-down themes held the movie back, though it has garnered a following.
Part of the reason for its cult popularity is the performance of Michael Jai White in the lead role. White, an expert martial artist, brings an imposing, if a little campy, presence to the role and does a great job with the action sequences. Not everyone, including White, was a fan, but he and the character of Spawn deserved better.
Djimon Hounsou, The Legend Of Tarzan (2016)
Many people have probably forgotten about 2016's Legend of Tarzan, but it featured a cast of several big stars, several of which turn in performances far better than the overall average film. Chief (pun intended) among them is Djimon Hounsou's portrayal of Chief Mbonga, an old rival of Tarzan out for revenge.
Hounsou adds a strong emotional weight to his role as a man driven by grief and revenge, despite being a minor character. His portrayal, combined with the spectacular period piece costuming turn Mbonga from a one-dimensional caricature into a complex, conflicted anti-hero.
Liev Schrieber, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
2009's the worst superhero movies ever made, mostly for its butchering of several iconic characters. One that the film got right though was Liev Schrieber's Sabretooth. Schrieber plays the part with charismatic menace and nails the animalistic physicality of the character.
He and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine also have great chemistry as both bitter enemies and reluctant brothers. Most of the film's best scenes focus on the pair together, and while he couldn't save this film, many fans were hoping for Schrieber's return as Sabretooth in later installments.
Thomas Haden Church, Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 is definitely the weakest of the series, despite giving audiences some now-iconic scenes. Sandman, played by Thomas Haden Church, was a bright spot among the messy film. Sandman is a very layered character that is brought to life excellently by Church, who also manages to look just like his comic book counterpart.
Church makes Sandman a convincing threat while at the same time keeping him sympathetic throughout the film. His transformation into Sandman is one the best moments in the film, and Church's emotional confession and redemption at the end add a complexity that the other villains can't quite match.
Ewan McGregor, The Star Wars Prequels (1999-2005)
The prequels featured some of the franchises' best characters. The best among them is definitely Ewan McGregor's fan-favorite turn as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
McGregor turns in a performance that is faithful to the original character, while also adding his own spin that made Kenobi an instant classic. Witty, charming, and at times heartbreaking, McGregor's Obi-Wan was so beloved that fans are still excited to see him return in his own series over 15 years later.
John C. Reilly, Kong: Skull Island (2017)
John C. Reilly is mostly well known for his comedic movies like Step Brothers and Walk Hard, but in Kong: Skull Island he proved that he has quite a bit more range than some people realized. Playing the part of an aging World War II veteran trapped on the titular island for years, Reilly gives a performance that on the surface seems like a goofy comic relief, but underneath is actually the main heart of the film.
His story of being stranded on the island with an enemy Japanese pilot left some fans even hoping for a prequel about his fight to survive on the island. In an already stacked cast, Reilly manages to be easily the best part of the film.
Tom Hardy, Venom (2018)
Tom Hardy's Venom movies are not bad films by any stretch, but they are blatantly aware of their own inherent silliness, and they fully embrace it. The movies never try to take themselves seriously, which some fans will enjoy and some won't. What almost everyone will agree on is Tom Hardy's central performance.
Hardy fully commits himself to the role, both physically and mentally, as he and his character go completely off the rails. Hardy's hilarious banter with an alien only he can hear and constantly disheveled look add even more charm to his utterly unhinged performance. Hardy manages to make Venom endlessly entertaining yet still somehow relatable.
Donald Glover, Solo (2018)
2018's Solo was an enjoyable spinoff for the Star Wars franchise, but it never quite did enough to justify why it was necessary. The cast did a good job and the action scenes were fun, but it has fallen by the wayside since its release. In what is a definite highlight of the film, Donald Glover takes over the role of the iconic scoundrel Lando Calrissian.
Glover is effortlessly suave and charismatic in the role and manages to honor the original while still making it his own. He perfectly captures Lando's style and charm, easily stealing the film away from its talented lead cast. While Solo isn't bad, Glover could have easily carried a much stronger film.
Mickey Rourke, The Expendables (2010)
The Expendables series was a return to the bombastic, over-the-top action movies of the '80s, featuring many of the decade's biggest action stars. While the movies are not necessarily high-class cinema, they are a lot of fun.
Mickey Rourke's brief performance is a complete tonal shift from the rest of the film, however. Rourke gives a heart-wrenching monologue about losing his soul to war, and that even with all of the men he has killed, it was a woman he decided not to save that damaged him the most. Rourke's masterful delivery and frankness are emotionally devastating and could be straight out of an Oscar contender instead of an action film.
Raul Julia, Street Fighter (1994)
Raul Julia's turn as M. Bison in Street Fighter has gone down in movie history as almost saving the otherwise panned movie. While far from the hulking antagonist of the games, Julia more than makes up for it with his larger-than-life presence. Julia seems to be the only now who knows how ridiculous the movie is, and plays Bison with such over-the-top glee that it almost makes the movie worth watching for his performance alone.
He is clearly having a blast with the utter campiness of the role and his "for me, it was Tuesday" line is one of the best villain quotes ever. Street Fighter was sadly Julia's last film before his death, but his phenomenal performance will far outlive the reputation of the rest of the movie.
